This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester.
Anthony Savala Alvarez comes to UC Merced this fall with several accomplishments under his belt: He graduated high school with a grade point average of 4.1, earned the California Seal of Biliteracy, and took part in several sports, including varsity soccer, cross country and track and field.
Savala Alvarez is no stranger to the university; his brother, Eduardo, is a recent graduate. Anthony said he's looking forward to the opportunities UC Merced offers.
Where you come from: I was born in San Jose and live in Modesto, where I graduated from Ceres High School.
Why are you excited about coming to UC Merced? UC Merced's low student-to-instructor ratio will give me a great learning experience. I'm interested in many of the clubs offered, as well as meeting new people who share my interests.
Academic and personal goals: I plan to major in mechanical engineering with a possible minor in Spanish. By the time I graduate, I want to leave an impact on the school that will help future generations of students follow their goals.
What do you do to relax? In my spare time, I like to play the guitar, video games or even go on an occasional run.
You can teleport anywhere in the world for a three-day weekend. Where do you go? I would definitely go to Europe because of the different landmarks and amazing scenery. I would enjoy going to a soccer game and living in the moment.
Quotable: "I want to create connections with people who not only will help me in my academic journey but also help me become a better individual."
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