<p>Just logged on to the admissions website and I'm in!! So excited! I visited Merced last weekend and was completely impressed by the college (and dorms!). I believe they also received preliminary approvals for the med school!</p>
<p>wow nice to know merced is really turning out great..how were the dorms? did u like the overall feel of the school?</p>
<p>I've visited a lot of UCs and other colleges, and the dorms -- they are actually suites (an apartment without a kitchen) -- these are by far the best. And they are busy constructing new ones for Fall 2007. The one we visited was a furnished triple, meaning 6 people share a 3 bedrooms (two in each pretty large room), a bathroom with two showers, and a good sized living room. They also have doubles and singles (the single is like a studio apartment without kitchen). Really nice and clean with heating and a/c, and plenty of room.</p>
<p>that's pretty awesome..so its like a double since 2 ppl share the same room..so much space! do u plan on going there? i think i might but i'm really not sure..but perhaps i might see ya! =D</p>
<p>Yeah, look at their website (go to current students, then housing options); it contains photos and floor plans.</p>
<p>It's pretty far from my home in So Cal. but there were a lot of So Cal people there, and the students were really friendly. A lot of students with merit scholarships who wouldn't trade Merced for any other UC. Free tutoring if needed, the laundry facilities were state of the art (you can check if you washing is done ONLINE so you don't have to keep running over to the laundry), and plenty of parking for all students at a really low cost (something like $200 a year).</p>
<p>So, yes, I'm giving it very serious consideration. Glad you are too!</p>
<p>we can check when our laundry is done online? whoaaa now that's what i call state-of-the-art..i really wanted to go to uc davis or irvine but now i'm giving merced a lot of consideration cuz it seems more like a close-knit community..plus i like small classes so thats another good thing about merced..i'm from Nor Cal so i guess merced is smack dab in the middle between us! haha..congrats on getting in cuz i got their acceptance letter a few weeks ago..we have some deciding to do come mid-march! good luck on all your other schools <em>scared</em></p>
<p>congrats guys!</p>
<p>my still says pending, some people i know already found out like a month ago in the mail!</p>
<p>mine is still pending too</p>
<p>My two top choices, ironically, are Santa Cruz and Merced. I have the GPA to get in most anywhere, not the SAT scores, unfortunately, but a decent ACT. I've visited all of the campuses except Riverside and Irvine. My choices are not based on maybe I can get in there, but more of the fit. Those two UCs just "feel" right to me. The students are happy there. It has nothing to do with prestige, since I think "prestige" is random and someone else's idea of what is good. What is good is what works for me, what makes me smile, what makes me feel good. That's what life is all about, finding a place that makes a person happy and feeling good about themselves. The state of the art laundries don't hurt either!</p>
<p>well said beatchick! i totally agree..have u visited Santa Cruz? it's really nice w/ views of the beach and everything..i totally agree with your view on the college as something that makes you feel comfortable as opposed to prestige..yea i like those new laundries too..</p>
<p>Congrats! If you get into UCSC also, which will you choose?</p>
<p>Thanks. The pendulum is still swinging. I've been to Santa Cruz twice for a tour and you can't beat the location or the people. My only hesitation is the quarter system and will it be too fast paced and stressful. Older dorms. Merced, on the other hand has the semester system, everything new and clean, dorms to die for, and small classes. Downside is it's out in the middle of nowhere (then, so is Davis and even UCSB).</p>
<p>I think it might end up coming down to a flip of the coin, if I do get to choose (please please please!).</p>
<p>got admitted to merced today! yay! now just waiting for davis, irvine and santa cruz!!</p>
<p>Congrats! Didn't you also get in to UCSB?! You are sooo lucky!</p>
<p>thanks lol i must have luck if i got in with only like a 3.5!</p>
<p>we'll see how lucky i am on the 15th!! aghhh</p>
<p>Your personal statement must have rocked! Congrats again!</p>
<p>
[quote]
A lot of students with merit scholarships who wouldn't trade Merced for any other UC. Free tutoring if needed, the laundry facilities were state of the art (you can check if you washing is done ONLINE so you don't have to keep running over to the laundry), and plenty of parking for all students at a really low cost (something like $200 a year).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Another state-of-the-art feature at UC-Merced: every book in the library has an RFID chip in it, so it automatically "reads" the book and your catcard (ID & chargecard) when you leave with any book. So it's truly automatic checkout - no lines, no cards to fill out, etc.</p>
<p>Avwh -- I see in another thread you have a son or daughter who goes to Merced. What does he/she think of the education and atmosphere? I'm having a real tough time choosing between UC Santa Cruz and Merced. UCSC is a dream school for me, but I just keep thinking about the opportunities available at Merced and I like the semester system option. Coming from a big city, I'm wondering if I'll be completely bored. On the other hand, the people seem really nice and the place is so fresh. Any help or hints would be really nice!</p>
<p>Beatchick:</p>
<p>My son went to a very competitive high school, academically (even though it's a public HS). He didn't really "figure out" how to study and get good grades until his senior year of HS. He did better his 1st semester at Merced than any semester in HS, FWIW - so he's made a great adjustment academically. He has had mostly good teachers (one or two he has complained about, but for freshman year, that's probably not unusual). </p>
<p>The university staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, IMO, so the support systems are terrific to do well at Merced, if you choose to take advantage of them.</p>
<p>My son says there's not much to do in Merced or on campus on the weekends other than party. Lots of students still go home alot on weekends, as a result. I think that will improve as the campus gets bigger and reaches "critical mass". My wife and I like the town - it's quaint, with some decent architectural charm and enough good places to eat and things to see/do that we enjoy 2 or 3 weekends a year there. I like that there are fewer distractions during the week for students to study, since Merced isn't a booming metropolis with lots of "competition" for students' attention.</p>
<p>I'm impressed with the friends our son has made - they're by and large good kids who realize they have a chance to be leaders in a new environment much sooner than at any other UC campus. (Our son is a treasurer of one of the student associations, for example, as a freshman.)</p>
<p>Class sizes are small now, so students can't "hide" easily, and they'll get to know the faculty even as freshmen, which is another advantage over most other UCs. All in all, we're pleased, and I think our son is having a good experience, though UC Merced is not without growing pains as a new campus.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, avwh. I went to the reception down here in the L.A. area and was really impressed with the enthusiasm and drive. I was sorry that no professors made it down, but there were plenty of students with glowing reports. I also liked that I was in a minority in the room (white, westside), and I hope there is similar diversity at Merced. I just hope that there are other left wingish people there for me to bond with.</p>
<p>Could you tell me what club your son joined and a little more about the "growing pains"? </p>
<p>I like not being able to "hide".</p>