Applications increase by 15.4 percent over previous year

MERCED, CA— Interest in the University of
California, Merced, continues to grow, according to application
statistics released today by the UC
Office of the
President.

More than 10,000 students have applied to the UC’s newest
campus, which is 15.4 percent higher than last year. This gives UC
Merced the sharpest gain in the UC system of applications received
by the Nov. 30, 2007, undergraduate deadline, nudging slightly
ahead of the Davis and Santa Barbara campuses. In fact, the number
of freshman who applied to UC Merced this year — 9,084
— exceeds the total number of applicants received last year
— 8,818. Over the last two years, applications to the
university have increased 16.1 percent.

“It is tremendously gratifying to hear that more and more
students are interested in our campus and the outstanding
educational experience it provides,” UC Merced Chancellor Steve
Kang said. “I am confident that we will see healthy and diverse
growth in our student population once again this coming year.”

As of fall 2007, UC Merced had a total student population of
1,871 students. Campus officials expect to have 2,500 students
enrolled in fall 2008.

Systemwide Comparison

Compared to the UC system’s gain of 9 percent and 8.5 percent,
respectively, UC Merced has seen growth in the number of freshmen
and transfer applicants. With a 13.2 percent increase over last
year, the campus has the fourth-largest gain in freshmen
applicants. Transfer applications increased by almost 37.7 percent

“The increase in transfer applications is a direct result of our
admissions staff working hard to develop relationships with
students interested in transferring and community college staff,”
said Kevin Browne, assistant vice chancellor of enrollment
management. “We consider this a huge vote of confidence from
transfer students and our colleagues in the community college system.”

The news of the rise in applications comes at a time when some
UC campuses might decide to hold down their enrollments because of
budget cuts. However, since UC Merced has the green light for
growth, qualified applicants won’t have to be turned away.

“Every single student space in the UC system is precious,”
Browne said. “UC Merced is doing its part to make sure every
qualified student who wants a UC education gets the opportunity to
have one.”

Regional Data

Combining all in-state undergraduate applications received by
Nov. 30, 2007, UC Merced saw the most significant growth in those
from Los Angeles (29 percent), the San Francisco Bay Area (28
percent) and San Joaquin Valley (19.2 percent).

The number of freshmen applicants rose since last year by:

• 23.7 percent from the Southern Central Valley (Fresno, Inyo,
  Kings, Kern and Tulare counties);
• 19 percent from the Riverside/San Bernardino area;
• 15.5 percent from Sacramento;
• and 14.8 percent from Northern Central Valley (Madera, Merced,
  Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

The number of transfer applicants rose since last year by:

• 70.6 percent from Orange County;
• 62.5 percent from the Southern Central Valley (Fresno, Inyo,
  Kings, Kern and Tulare counties);
• 44.5 percent from Los Angeles;
• and 42.9 percent from Sacramento.

Graduate Data

As of Jan. 28, UC Merced had received double the number of
applications from prospective graduate students compared to last
year. More than 290 students applied for graduate programs, 162 of
whom were international applicants. As of this time last year, the
campus had received 120 graduate applications. There is space to
grant admission to 40 graduate students for fall 2008.

“We attribute this increase, particularly in the rise of
international applicants, to the increase in faculty, the growing
breadth of our programs and our faculty’s heightened Web presence,”
said Samuel Traina, acting vice chancellor for research and dean of
graduate studies.

According to fall 2007 enrollment data, there are 120 students
currently seeking graduate degrees at UC Merced.

Important Dates for Fall 2008 Applicants

• Through March 2 — Financial aid priority application
  filing period for students to submit Free Application for Federal
  Student Aid (FAFSA) and a GPA Verification Form for Cal Grants. UC
  Merced’s FAFSA School Code is 041271
• Feb. 15 — Application deadline for graduate student admission
• March 1-31 — On-time freshman applicants notified of
  admission decision
• March 1-May 1 — On-time transfer applicants notified of
  admission decision
• April 19 — Bobcat Day; campus open house for prospective
  students and their families
• May 1 — Deadline for freshman applicants to submit
  Statement of Intent to Register
• June 1 — Deadline for transfer applicants to submit
  Statement of Intent to Register