UC Merced Admission Requirements
Merced, CaliforniaChances of getting into University of California Merced
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
66.2%| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Average | |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
How hard is it to get into UC Merced and can I get accepted? The school has a 66% acceptance rate ranking it #65 in California for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 16,628 out of 25,131 applicants were admitted making UC Merced a moderately competitive school to get into with a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the requirements. Academically, it has average requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 56 percent. University of California Merced typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students. Only 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
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Calculate My ChancesUC Merced SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
1020-1190Applicants Submitting SAT
94%| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 510 |
| SAT Math 25th | 510 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1020 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 600 |
| SAT Math 75th | 590 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1190 |
| Average SAT Score | 1110 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to University of California Merced?
University of California Merced typically requires applicants to be in the top 57 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 930. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1110 out of 1600. The school ranks #46 in California for highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is critical as 94 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school. Note: SAT scores presented on this page have been adjusted upwards per the College Board's concordance tables for test takers after March 2016.
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Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1190 and Above | Good | >77% |
| 1105 to 1190 | Avg + | 66%-77% |
| 1020 to 1105 | Avg - | 53%-66% |
| 935 to 1020 | Reach | 40%-53% |
| Less than 935 | Low | <40% |
UC Merced ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
19-27Applicants Submitting ACT
51%| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 17 |
| ACT Math 25th | 18 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 19 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 23 |
| ACT Math 75th | 24 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 27 |
| Average ACT Score | 23 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into UC Merced?
Admission data indicates that UC Merced regularly accepts students with ACT's of 19 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 56 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 15 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 23 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 27 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #43 in California for highest average ACT composite score. 51 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California Merced.
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 27 and Above | Good | >77% |
| 23 to 27 | Avg + | 66%-77% |
| 19 to 23 | Avg - | 53%-66% |
| 15 to 19 | Reach | 40%-53% |
| Less than 15 | Low | <40% |
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
3.51Typical High School Grades
B+You will need very good grades in high school to get into University of California Merced. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at University of California Merced was 3.51 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #40 in California for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as UC Merced accepts 66% of students who apply.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 23% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 27% | Good |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 28% | Avg + |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 21% | Reach |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | 1% | Reach |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 14,126 | 11,005 | 25,131 |
| Accepted | 9,516 | 7,112 | 16,628 |
| Acceptance Rate | 67% | 65% | 66% |
| Enrolled | 1,213 | 1,001 | 2,214 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 13% | 14% | 13% |
Fall 2020 Application Deadline
Applications were Due
Nov 30, 2019Days left to Apply
NoneThe application deadline for Fall 2020 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2019.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of California Merced and what considerations affect admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Neither required nor recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Neither required nor recommended |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Other Colleges to Consider
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=445188 IPEDS survey data for University of California Merced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of California Merced prefer SAT or ACT?
94% of students submit their SAT scores to UC Merced. 51% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into University of California Merced?
66% of those who apply are granted admission to UC Merced. Admission competition is low and the college has average admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for University of California Merced?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1020 and 1190. 94% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for University of California Merced?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 27. 51% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.
