We are excited to welcome students for Fall 2023!
Every Fall, the ASCEND Student Experience is offered to help students with their academic transition to UC Merced. ASCEND provides incoming first-year and transfer students with essential academic skills and an understanding of university expectations, and it connects you with vital campus resources to help you continue your successful transition to life as a Bobcat.
All new UC Merced students will participate in the ASCEND activities during the first two weeks of the Fall 2023 semester. Workshop descriptions and details can be found further down this page.
First-Year Students
Students will complete:
- Two (2) live workshops
- Bobcat 101
- At least one other workshop (see more information below)
- "Classroom Learning Success" CatCourses Module (available August 21st via CatCourses)
Transfer Students
Students will complete:
- One live or online workshop
- Bobcat 201
- At least one other workshop (see more information below)
- "Classroom Learning Success" CatCourses Module (available August 21st via CatCourses)
OIT Basics
Attend this session to learn the basics about IT at UC Merced. In the first half, we’ll cover the services we offer students (for free!), how to get help if you have tech problems, some basics about keeping your information safe, plus insider tips about computer labs, printing, and gaming/device registration on campus. In the second half, we’ll give you a crash course in CatCourses, the campus course management platform. Learn about finding your courses, submitting assignments, managing notifications, and tips and tricks to get things done.
- Workshop Times
- Monday, August 21st, 9:00 am (COB1 120)
- Monday, August 21st, 10:00 am (COB1 120)
- Monday, August 21st, 3:00 pm (COB1 120)
- Tuesday, August 22nd, 3:00 pm (COB1 120)
- Other Resources
Time Management
Helping new students make the best of their time for studying, work, and more. Through an interactive workshop students walk away with a better understanding of how much time it takes to be academically successful and having mapped out what their specific weeks will look like for the fall semester.
- Monday, August 21st, 9:00 am (SSB 130)
- Monday, August 21st, 2:00 pm (SSB 130)
- Tuesday, August 22nd, 2:00pm (SSB 130)
So You Want to Be a Healthcare Professional
Are you interested in a career in healthcare? Join us for a workshop introducing the pathway to becoming a physician/dentist/pharmacists/veterinarian, including how you can start preparing right now!
- Monday, August 21st, 2:00 pm (COB1 116)
- Monday, August 21st, 3:00 pm (COB1 116)
- Tuesday, August 22nd, 3:00 pm (COB1 116)
More information about Pre-Health Advising can be found at https://prehealth.ucmerced.edu/.
Academic Integrity
What does it mean to have Academic Integrity? From collaboration to ChatGPT, and everything in between, join this interactive discussion on how to succeed academically while avoiding academic misconduct. Test your knowledge, while learning the tips, tools, and resources needed to be a successful Bobcat both in and out of the classroom.
- Tuesday, August 22nd, 2:00 pm (COB2 170)
- Tuesday, August 22nd, 3:00 pm (COB2 170)
Classroom AdvenTOURS
To help you prepare for your first days of instruction, we have partnered with the Welcome Center to host "Classroom AdvenTOURS". These classroom specific tours will help you locate buildings, find your classrooms & labs, and will ensure that you know how to navigate the campus like an experienced Bobcat!
With tours happening daily from August 18th to the 21st, there is sure to be a time that's right for you. To see available tour times or to sign-up, visit:
https://uc-merced.foleon.com/admissions/classroom-tours/
Tracking Completion
All first year and first semester transfer students are expected to participate in the ASCEND Experience, however, your completion of ASCEND is by honor system.
