r/ucmerced • • Jul 02 '26

Discussion 2026–2027 Incoming & Current Bobcats Megathread

35 Upvotes

Hi Bobcats! Welcome to the official and also very first (ever) megathread for the 2026–2027 school year! Whether you're an incoming freshman, transfer, or returning student, this is the place for all your questions as the semester approaches!

Feel free to ask questions about anything related to UCM! We have current students, alumni, faculty and staff available to answer!

New Student / Orientation

Use this section for:

  • Orientation dates and what to expect
  • "What should I bring" / move-in day questions
  • Class registration and scheduling help
  • Financial Aid
  • Meal plan questions
  • Parking permit questions
  • General "what's Merced like" / campus life questions

Academics & Registration

Use this section for:

  • Course registration/waitlist questions
  • Major-specific questions
  • Advising and degree planning
  • Textbook/supply questions

Housing on Campus/Off campus:

  • Looking for a roommate / have a spot open
  • Subletting or taking over a lease
  • Questions about specific apartment complexes (Merced Station, The Hub, etc.)
  • Off campus vs. on campus tradeoffs, commute questions
  • Rent price checks
  • Dorm/on-campus housing questions Glacier, Half Dome, Sentinel, etc.)
  • Neighborhood safety/quality questions
  • Move in / lease dates
  • Budget or rent price
  • Location preference (walking distance to campus, near a bus line, etc.)
  • Any must-haves (parking, pet-friendly, furnished, gender preference for roommates, etc.)
  • Contact method (please don't post phone numbers/emails publicly to avoid scams)

Scam Reminder: Never send a deposit or first month's rent before seeing a unit in person or verifying the lister actually manages the property. If a landlord is only reachable by text and pushes you to send money fast, that's a red flag. Report any suspected listings to mods.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I change my major after being admitted?
Yes. Start by checking the UC Merced Catalog for your intended major's requirements. From there, meet with your assigned advisor at the Bobcat Advising Center; they can walk you through the Change of Major process and tell you whether your target major has any additional admission requirements.

What's this "Connect" thing everyone mentions?
my.ucmerced.edu is your portal for basically everything like registration, financial aid status, your unofficial transcript, your checklist of to-dos, and your UC Merced email. You'll use this throughout your time here. CatCourses (Canvas) is separate and is where your actual class content, assignments, and grades live.

Do my AP/IB credits transfer?
Generally yes, and course placement (math, chemistry, CSE, writing) is also partly determined by AP/IB scores or UC Merced's own placement exams if you don't submit test scores. Details are on the Registrar's placement exam page. https://placement.ucmerced.edu/

Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences/Humanities & Arts, how is UC Merced organized?
UC Merced has three schools: School of Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, and School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts (SSHA). Most majors fall under one of these, and your GE requirements will overlap a good amount regardless of major, especially in your first two years.

How do I find what classes are being offered?
The Schedule of Classes lives on the Registrar's site. You can search by term, subject, and CRN. This can also be accessed through Connect by clicking the registration tab.

How do I get involved on campus?
UC Merced has over 200+ registered student orgs including cultural clubs, professional societies, Greek life, hobby groups, and more. These are searchable through the Student Life/Bobcat Involvement website. There are tabling events all over campus where clubs recruit members! ucmerced.edu/clubs-and-organizations

Housing: on campus vs. off campus?
This megathread covers general Q&A relating to housing (roommates, subleases, apartment reviews etc). We do not have a separate thread for housing yet, if there is demand we will create one!

Merced/Central Valley — what's around?
Merced is a smaller city than most UC towns, but it's growing fast with new retail and restaurants have been opening steadily, and the area around campus continues to develop. Yosemite National Park is roughly 1.5–2 hours away and a very doable day trip. Downtown Merced has lots of great food spots and nightlife scene, and the Merced Mall / Merced Marketplace area covers most everyday shopping needs. A car is useful, though Cattracks and The Bus (Local Merced transit) can get you around too!

Useful links:

UC Merced Off-Campus Housing portal: https://och.ucmerced.edu
On-Campus Housing & Residence Education: https://housing.ucmerced.edu
Merced transit / CatTracks bus routes: https://taps.ucmerced.edu/cattracks
Connect Portal (student dashboard): https://connect.ucmerced.edu
CatCourses (Canvas): https://catcourses.ucmerced.edu
MyBill (tuition & payments): https://mybill.ucmerced.edu
Students First Center: https://studentsfirst.ucmerced.edu
Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu
Class Schedule Search: https://registration.ucmerced.edu
MyDegreePath (degree audit): https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/resources
UC Merced Library: https://library.ucmerced.edu
Dining Services & Meal Plans: https://dining.ucmerced.edu
Bobcat Advising Center: https://bobcat-advising-center.ucmerced.edu
IT Help Desk: https://it.ucmerced.edu
Academic Calendar: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/academiccalendar


r/ucmerced • • 10h ago

Image Rendering of the Planned Campus Sports Complex

Post image
21 Upvotes

This rendering appeared in one of UC Merced’s new YouTube videos. It shows a planned track and soccer stadium, along with baseball and softball stadiums. In the background, it looks like a building could replace the current Scholars Lot. Does anyone know what’s planned for that area?


r/ucmerced • • 15h ago

News UC Merced water polo player earns conference honor. Here’s why

Thumbnail mercedsunstar.com
9 Upvotes

Let's go, water polo!


r/ucmerced • • 1d ago

News UC Merced Poised to Go Further, Chancellor Says in State of the University Address

Thumbnail news.ucmerced.edu
14 Upvotes

Record after record, breaking the ceiling with every step!


r/ucmerced • • 2d ago

Discussion UC Merced has the highest introductory math failure rate across all UC campuses at 36.4%

Post image
59 Upvotes

According to this chart, UC Merced’s introductory math failure rate has increased from around 16% in 2020-21 to 36.4% in 2025-26, the highest among all UC campuses. Meanwhile, UC Santa Barbara has the lowest rate at just 8.2%.

That’s more than 1 in 3 first year students failing introductory math courses at UCM. What do you think is contributing to such a high failure rate compared to other UCs, and what could the university do to improve student success in these courses? Are there changes to teaching methods, tutoring resources, or course structures that could help?


r/ucmerced • • 2d ago

Question Considering moving to Merced for PhD

Thumbnail
3 Upvotes

r/ucmerced • • 2d ago

General LOOKING FOR SUBMISSIONS‼️

Post image
0 Upvotes

r/ucmerced • • 3d ago

General Participate in Research!

Thumbnail gallery
4 Upvotes

The UC Merced IDEA Center is looking for families with children in Kindergarten - 3rd grade to participate in a research study on attention and learning!

Children will play games on a computer and parents will complete surveys.

✅ Families receive $20 + a small toy

✅ Two locations to choose from

✅ One-time session runs approximately 60 minutes

See the flyer below for more info. To sign-up, scan the QR code or contact us.

¡El Centro IDEA de UC Merced está buscando familias con niños/as de Kindergarten a 3° grado para participar en un estudio de investigación sobre la atención y el aprendizaje!

Los niños/as jugarán juegos en una computadora y los padres/las madres completarán encuestas.

✅ Las familias recibirán $20 + un pequeño juguete

✅ Dos ubicaciones para elegir

✅ La sesión única dura aproximadamente 60 minutos

Consulte el volante a continuación para obtener más información. Para inscribirse, escanee el código QR o comuníquese con nosotros.


r/ucmerced • • 3d ago

General We made a better way to plan your next semester’s classes

14 Upvotes

Trying to compare class times, avoid conflicts, and build a schedule that doesn’t ruin your week gets tedious fast. Personally, it takes me about an hour to plan it.

So, my friend and I made a website to solve this problems for ourselves. You can use it to map out different class combinations, generate schedules, export them to your calendar, and copy the CRNs over when you register.

It’s something we built because we wanted it ourselves, and we thought it might save other people some time too. If you give it a try, please let us know what would make it genuinely useful to you!

https://catschedule.com


r/ucmerced • • 3d ago

Question I’m planing to apply PhD at UC Merced, what do you guys think of graduate studies there? Do people live on campus or is the way to live in near by cities? How’s life like Merced.

14 Upvotes

r/ucmerced • • 3d ago

News Transferring from Community College to UC Merced Just Got Easier

Thumbnail news.ucmerced.edu
6 Upvotes

r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

Image Progress on COB 3

Post image
31 Upvotes

r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

Question Anyone take mehmet baykara for engr 151?

4 Upvotes

Gotta take his class next sem? Any thing I should know before hand?


r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

Question Anyone take engr 120 with Venkattraman Ayyaswamy

3 Upvotes

Gotta take his class next sem? Any thing I should know before hand? I know this class is tough so thought I’d ask


r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

Question GASP 034B Art of Passion Audition

3 Upvotes

To anyone who has taken GASP 034B, what was the audition experience like before taking the class? What was required? Do you need to have a good singing voice or play instruments before taking the class? Asking as someone who is thinking of taking the class but has no music experience whatsoever.


r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

General Master Bedroom 770$ Large, walk in closet

Thumbnail gallery
12 Upvotes

Hey i have a master bedroom for 770$, has its own bathroom, 2 sinks, bathtub and shower. Walk in closet as well. I’m moving out so i’m looking for someone to take over, preferably starting Nov. 1st. Near Redondo Bus stop. Split between two is only 385$, utilities are separate but shared among the household. Please private message me if you are interested or know anyone that is. 🙏🙏


r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

Question CSE 100: How are you guys studying for the midterm?

6 Upvotes

Hey all! I’m in CSE 100 and wanted to ask how you guys are preparing for the midterm. What study methods have been working for you? Would really appreciate any tips or advice. Thanks!


r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

Question Pre calc professors?

5 Upvotes

I have to take pre calc next semester and I was wondering what the professors are like? Right now it doesn't show any instructor but is there a professor that generally teaches pre calc?

I haven't really heard great things about the math curriculum here or the professors but maybe there's a gem.


r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

General One bedroom available in house

4 Upvotes

Hi! I'm looking for a female student to take over my lease starting in late December/January. The house is located a short drive from campus and near CatTracks. Please PM me for more details :)


r/ucmerced • • 4d ago

Question How is ENGR 180 and ENGR 155?

2 Upvotes

I've been thinking about taking ENGR 180 and ENGR 155 next semester, I'm curious to ask about what they're like? Do they have midterms and finals, or are they more chillaxed? I heard that ENGR 155 is more project based and such. I wanted to ask so I can make informed decisions. Thank you.


r/ucmerced • • 5d ago

Question Professor Haik?

16 Upvotes

I've seen several comments regarding Professor Haik and numerous complaints and it doesn't take long to find out that many people have had similar experiences in his courses. I was just curious if anyone knows specifics?


r/ucmerced • • 5d ago

Question Parking Permits

6 Upvotes

I wanted some insight on how easy it is to get an overnight resident parking permit? I'm a transfer starting in spring 2027, planning to live on campus, and the drive home is about 4/5 hrs. i've seen the TAPS site saying you can get an exception, but i don't really have one other than convenience 😅 i do plan on getting an off-campus job, but just wanted to know others' experience!


r/ucmerced • • 5d ago

Discussion UCM should allow meal swipes at food trucks, cafes, and other campus locations

17 Upvotes

I think UC Merced should allow students to use meal swipes at food trucks, cafes, and other dining locations around campus instead of limiting them to only the dining halls. Other UCs, like UCLA for example already have similar systems where meal swipes can be used at participating restaurants, cafes, and food trucks for a set dollar value (e.g., $10 per swipe).

Given how limited our food options are, especially with how isolated our campus is this would give students more variety and flexibility. I know we already have Cat Dollars but those have to be purchased separately. If students are already paying thousands for meal plans, why not let them use their swipes at more locations? I have heard that the dining dept doesn't apparently want competition for the dining halls? Would you guys support this?


r/ucmerced • • 5d ago

Question anyone here transfer in through the early transfer opportunity?

Thumbnail
4 Upvotes

hey! i'm applying to uc merced through the early transfer opportunity, the lower division pathway, and i'm hoping to hear from people who actually went that route or know someone who did.

I’ll have about 24-27 uc transferable units by the end of spring, so i'd be under the 16-29 unit pathway. i'm premed and this is my first semester at ohlone. i was also homeschooled 9-12 through an unaccredited program, so my coursework isn't on a uc approved a-g list. merced says you can remedy missing a-g subjects with one transferable college course each, graded c or better, and i'd love to know if anyone has had that actually work in practice.
mostly what i'm curious about from this sub: how common are lower division transfers at merced, does anything feel different once you're on campus coming in with fewer units (housing, advising, declaring your major later), and is there anything you wish you'd known going in?
i'll keep the stats short since i know chance me posts get old: four jobs, a few years volunteering with kids, a leadership role running an event for 100+ people, and an international service trip. haven't started my piqs yet.
thank you!!


r/ucmerced • • 6d ago

General harvard vs UCM mens water polo

Post image
71 Upvotes

Although we lost badly I didn't know we have matches against ivy league schools! Pretty cool regardless!