Applications for Summer Start 2025 will OPEN in March!
Summer Start Program
UC Merced’s Summer Start Program offers multiple learning and engagement opportunities for incoming first-year and transfer students, especially those in STEM majors. These opportunities are designed to help students transition to university and build community with their peers.
If you have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) at UC Merced for fall 2025 you may apply for whichever Summer Start Program track is right for you (Summer Edge or Accelerate).
- You will 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 Program tracks.
- 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
Summer Edge
- June 30 – August 8, 2025 (placement exam retakes begin August 8, 2025)
- Learning modules: Math, Computer Science, Chemistry, and/or Writing (ONLINE)
- Non-Credit/Free
Summer Edge modules are designed for students interested in refreshing their knowledge of one or more of these subjects and/or who are interested in preparing to take/re-take placement exams. Students who complete Summer Edge modules will be eligible to re-take placement exams in the subject they completed. Students can enroll in multiple modules.
Accelerate (Blue or Gold)
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 and may return home between the end of Summer Session and fall semester move-in.
Accelerate Blue
- July 7 – August 15, 2025 (Session C)
- Courses: Math 005, SPARK 010, and USTU 010 (7 units total) (IN-PERSON)
- Academic Credit/Summer Session Fees & Housing costs (Financial Aid available)
Accelerate Gold
- July 7 – August 15, 2025 (Session C)
- Courses: Math 11 or 21, and SPARK 010, and USTU 10 (In-Person)
- Academic Credit/Summer Session Fees & Housing costs (Financial Aid available)
Accelerate Resesarch Experience
- August 18-22, 2025
- Non-credit
Accelerate students are invited to participate in Accelerate Research Experience, which includes research experiences in computer sciences and microbiology soil science. Up to 12 first-year students will be invited to participate in each discipline.
Participants who will live on campus for fall semester can move into their fall dormitory early. The Accelerate program will pay for campus housing costs from Sunday, August 17 until the fall housing contract begins.
Transfer Summer Start
- June 13 – August 15, 2025
- Summer Session - A variety of upper division courses are available for enrollment. (Summer Session fees, financial aid is available)
And/Or
- August 18-22, 2025
- Accelerate Research Experience
Students who have completed college-level pre-calculus or first-semester calculus prior to summer 2025 can apply to participate in the Accelerate Research Expreience. Up to ten (10) transfer students will be invited to participate. Research experiences include options in computer sciences and microbiology soil science.
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).
