We are excited to welcome students for Fall 2025!
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 2025 semester. Workshop descriptions and details can be found further down this page. You can also look up the ASCEND schedule on your mobile device.
Did you know that you can find more information about ASCEND through the Connect App? Make sure to download the UC Merced Connect App for more information about our conference!
After downloading the app, log in with your UCM student credentials. Once logged in, you will be able to view the homepage where the ASCEND Module will be located. Press the ASCEND New Experience box or "module", where you can view the conference schedule and navigate it throughout the conference!
UC Merced Campus Map can be found here (you may also download the campus map directly to your device from the link provided).
First-Year Students
Students will complete:
- Two (2) live workshops
- Bobcat 101 and
- At least one other workshop (see more information below)
- "Classroom Learning Success" CatCourses Module
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
Workshops
ChatGPT
This workshop will introduce students to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools with a particular focus on large language models like ChatGPT. Students will learn about ethical, environmental, and social issues surrounding AI tools in our wider society and implications for their own ethical, responsible use of this type of technology.
Participants will engage in a conversation about what it means to be an undergraduate at a research university and the university’s culture of academic honesty, and reflect on their personal choices when considering using this technology.
- Monday, August 26th, 9:00 am in the Student Services Building, Room 160 (SSB 160)
- Monday, August 26th, 10:00 am in the Student Services Building, Room 160 (SSB 160)
- Monday, August 26th, 3:00 pm in the Student Services Building, Room 160 (SSB 160)
IT101 – Tech Essentials for New Students
Attend this session to learn the basics about IT at UC Merced.
In the first half, we’ll cover the services we offer students (at no additional cost!), 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 open the presentation to the audience to get all those burning tech questions answered!
- Workshop Times
- Monday, August 25th, 9:00 am in Student Services Building, Room 160 (SSB 160
- Monday, August 25th, 10:00 am in Student Services Building, Room 160 (SSB 160)
- Monday, August 25th, 1:00 m in Student Services Building, Room 160 (SSB 160
- Monday, August 25th, 2:00 pm in Student Services Building, Room 160 (SSB 160)
- Other Resources
More information about the Office of Information Technology can be found here.
Academic Integrity
What does it mean to have Academic Integrity? From collaboration to AI, 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.
- Monday, August 25th, 1:00 pm in Student Services Building, Room 116 (SSB 120)
- Monday, August 25th, 2:00 pm in Student Services Building, Room 116 (SSB 120)
- Monday, August 25th, 3:00 pm in Student Services Building, Room 116 (SSB 120)
More information about Academic Integrity can be found at the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities Website.
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, there is sure to be a time that's right for you. To see available tour times or to sign-up, please visit:
https://uc-merced.foleon.com/admissions/classroom-tours/
Open Houses: Meet & Greets
- Student Career Center
- Office of International Affairs
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC)
- The Health Promotion Office
