First Time Registration Preparation

<<< Use the menu on the left to navigate to the different sections

Fall 2026 first year admits who register for New Student Orientation by the June 3 deadline, will be eligible for Smart Start.

Smart Start allows the Registrar's Office to place you into 12 units of required coursework in your first semester based on your major. You are encouraged to check if you are satisfying Normal Progress Policy. For more support, you meet with your temporary BAC summer academic advisor who will be assigned to you at the start of June.

Before your assigned registration time ticket, we highly recommend you make sure all your academic history is up to date to ensure you can register for the correct courses.

 

Use this checklist to ensure your academic history is updated:

1. By May 31: Complete required placement exams 

2. By June 1: Ensure UC Merced has the correct major on file for you

3. By June 3:

4. By June 22: 

  • You'll be able to view your SmartStart schedule for Fall 2026.
  • If you'd like to make adjustments or add more classes, you will have a registration time ticket the week of June 22.
  • You will continue to have access to registration throughout the summer if your final AP/IB scores or summer grades mean more schedule adjustments are needed. 

Learn more about registration preparation by clicking on the image below:

Before Registration

<<< Click to view Newly Admitted First Time Registration Click to view Registration Process Support >>>