UC Merced's Summer Start Programs:
Accellerate & Summer Edge
UC Merced’s Summer Start Program offers learning opportunities for incoming first-year and transfer students, especially those in STEM majors. These opportunities are designed to help students feel at home on campus and build community with their peers.
If you have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) at UC Merced for fall 2026 you may apply for Summer Edge or Accelerate, whichever program is right for you!
- You need to have your UC Merced email and your UC Merced student id number to complete the application.
- You will use this application to apply for either of the Summer Start Programs (Accelerate & Summer Edge).
- You will be prompted to choose your first choice between the programs, and your second choice between the programs if you have a second choice.
- If you have questions about the application, please email summersession@ucmerced.edu
CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
Summer Edge (online & free)
Summer Edge modules are designed for students who want to retake a placement exam/assessment or refresh their knowledge in one or more of these subjects; math, chemistry, writing, an computer science (programming). Students who complete Summer Edge modules will be eligible to retake placement exam(s)/assessment in the subject(s) they completed. Students may enroll in multiple modules. More information about Summer Edge may be found here.
- June 29 – August 7, 2026 (placement exam/assessment retakes begin August 7, 2026)
- Learning modules: Math, Computer Science, Chemistry, and/or Writing (ONLINE)
- Non-Credit & Free
Accelerate
Accelerate is designed to help students advance in mathematics and will help build resilience, improve academic skills, and build community at UC Merced. Students in this program have the option to live on campus while taking these courses in-person during Summer Session C. Students may return home between the end of Summer Session and fall semester move-in, or may apply for early move-in and remain on campus. Accelerate students receive priority registration** for spring semester, 2027!
- Dates: July 6 – August 14, 2026 (Session C)
- Courses: Math 005, or 011, or 021, and SPARK 010, and USTU 010, for a total of 7 units (in-person)
- Academic Credit/Summer Session Fees & Housing costs (Financial Aid available*)
Accelerate Research Experience
- August 17-21, 2026
- Non-credit
Accelerate students are invited to apply to participate in Accelerate Research Experience, which includes research experiences in engineering or microbiology soil science. Up to 16 first-year students will be invited to participate in each discipline. Participants who have a campus housing contract for fall semester can move into their fall dormitory early. The Accelerate program will pay for campus housing & dining costs from Sunday, August 17 until the fall housing contract begins.
Summer Scholars Learning Community
Students who participate in Accelerate may also join the Summer Scholars Learning Community to continue their cohort experience and support into the academic year. Students will enroll in Living Learning Community Pathways in the fall and spring semesters where they will continue to develop their identity as a student and researcher at UC Merced, supported by Tammy L. Johnson, Ed.D.
Transfer Summer Start
- June 12 – August 14, 2025
- Summer Session - A variety of upper division courses are available for enrollment. (Summer Session fees are applicable and financial aid is available*)
And/Or
- August 17-21, 2026
- Accelerate Research Experience
Students who have completed college-level pre-calculus or first-semester calculus prior to summer 2026 can apply to participate in the Accelerate Research Expreience. Research experiences include options in computer sciences and microbiology soil science. Transfer students who are interested in participating in Accelerate Research Experience should email Summer Session, summersession@ucmerced.edu once they have submitted their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).
And/Or
- Transfer Students may join after they have submitted their Statement of Intent to Register
- Forage – virtual experience programs with a variety of career interests and companies (free, online programs).
* Financial Aid
If a student is eligible for a Pell Grant in fall 2026, they must submit a FAFSA for school year 25-26 to access their Pell Grant for Summer 2026. This is in addition to the FAFSA for school year 26/27. Students who are eligible for a Pell Grant but choose not to submit a school year 25/26 FAFSA will need to pay out of pocket to cover the cost that would have been covered by a Pell Grant.
** Priority Registration
Priority registration is access to enroll in at least two courses before the majority of students have access to register. This is done so Accelerate students can enroll in shared courses to maximize their cohort experience. Students must receive passing grades in their summer courses to receive prioroty registration for spring 2027.
