The Bobcat Advising Center (BAC) is the academic advising home for all first year students in every major, all lower division undeclared transfers, and all continuing undeclared students in any class year.
We promote student success through academic advising appointments, walk-in advising, workshops, and connecting students with appropriate resources.
Our team is here to support your educational journey as you work toward your personal, academic, and career goals.
Complete the three mandatory trainings (Sexual Violence Prevention, Alcohol Edu, and Mental Well-Being for Students) by the training deadlines. These one-time trainings must be completed by every new admit early in your first semester at UC Merced.
If you plan to apply for a job on campus, complete the additional required trainings for all UC employees (including student employees).
Read your UC Merced email daily.
Review the 2025-26 Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.
Mid-semester grades in Fall 2025 lower level classes (numbered 001-099) will be posted by professors on Tues. Oct. 21.
During February or March: meet with your BAC academic advisor to discuss your planned courses for Fall 2025.
Mon. March 3: Fall 2025 class schedules released online and assigned registration time posted in your student portal.
Mon. March 31 to Fri. April 4: assigned priority registration times for Fall 2025 for current UCM students in certain student cohorts.
Mon. April 7 to Fri. April 18: assigned registration times for Fall 2025 for all other current UCM students.
Fri. June 13 at 11:59 pm: registration and waitlists "freeze" (no changes allowed) for current UCM students so Fall 2025 admits can register.
Mon. June 30 at 9:00 am: registration and waitlists "unfreeze" (reopen) to all students.
NOTE: To translate this site into a non-English language, click on the globe icon at the top of the page (next to the word Directory) and select the language.
Log on to your Connect student portal and read your UC Merced email each day. To find your email, select the email icon on your portal.
Use the Success Anywhere site to stay informed and connect with free tutoring resources to help you earn the highest possible grades.
Log on to CatCourses each day when classes are in session.
Schedule an appointment with your BAC academic advisor each semester.
Attend office hours with your professor and teaching assistant (TA) in each class.
Get involved and build your resumé! See our Exploring Interests & Majors page for ideas.
Use the BAC Major Exploration Activities Checklist & Major Exploration Worksheet to record your activities.
* NEW * UC Merced will launch a new block registration pilot for Fall 2025 first year admits called Smart Start.
Read more about this new pilot at First Year Smart Start.
* IMPORTANT * To participate in Smart Start, Fall 2025 first years must sign up for New Student Orientation by the Mon. June 9 deadline.
Smart Start will block enroll Fall 2025 first years in 8-16 units for the first semester (only) based on declared major.
Fall 2025 admits should enroll in 14-16 units for the first semester.
Wed. April 9: registration for New Student Orientation opens.
Before Mon. June 9: register for New Student Orientation to be eligible for Smart Start block enrollment.
Tues. June 10 to Fri. June 20: Office of the Registrar block enrolls Fall 2025 first years eligible for Smart Start.
Mon. June 23 to Fri. June 27: randomly assigned registration times for Fall 2025 first years and transfers. Smart Start participants will also have a randomly assigned registration time and can add or adjust classes, including block enrolled courses.
Registration remains open 24 hours a day after your assigned registration date for schedule adjustment throughout the summer.
Mon. June 30 at 9:00 am: waitlists for closed classes open for Fall 2025 first years and transfers.
