What is UC Merced's acceptance rate?

UC Merced admits approximately 89% of applicants, making it the most accessible UC campus by acceptance rate while still offering a full UC education and degree. Visit admissions.ucmerced.edu for details.

What is UC Merced known for?

UC Merced is the youngest UC campus (opened in 2005) and a fast-rising public research university known for engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences. It is one of the most diverse campuses in the UC system and a national leader in supporting first-generation and underrepresented students. It is also one of the most sustainability-focused campuses in the UC system. See U.S. News for rankings.

How much does it cost to attend UC Merced?

In-state tuition and fees at UC Merced are approximately $14,000 per year; out-of-state students pay roughly $44,000 with the nonresident supplement. California residents who qualify can have tuition substantially covered by the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan and Cal Grants. Visit financialaid.ucmerced.edu for the full cost of attendance.

What is Merced, California like as a college town?

Merced is a small, affordable city in California's Central Valley with a tight-knit, community-oriented feel. The biggest draw is the location: Yosemite National Park is about a 90-minute drive east, and the Sierra Nevada, as well as larger cities like Fresno and the Bay Area, are within easy reach. The cost of living is well below California's coastal cities, which makes it a practical place to be a student.

When is the best time to visit the University of California, Merced?

The best time to visit the University of California, Merced is during the academic year, when classes are in session and campus in Merced, CA is at its liveliest. Visiting on a weekday lets you see everyday student life — walk between classes, sit in the dining halls, and get a feel for the campus at its busiest. Fall and spring tend to show the campus at its best, while move-in week, parents’ and family weekend, graduation, and home football or game weekends are the most crowded and the hardest times to find nearby hotel rooms, so plan around them. Check UC Merced’s academic calendar before you book so your visit lands while students are actually on campus and not during finals or a break.

Where should families stay when visiting the University of California, Merced?

Families visiting the University of California, Merced typically stay at hotels close to campus in Merced, CA such as Quality Inn Merced Gateway to Yosemite, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Merced and Hampton Inn & Suites Merced. Rooms nearest campus book up first, and prices climb sharply around move-in week, parents’ and family weekend, graduation, and home football or game weekends, so reserve several weeks ahead for those dates. If the closest hotels are full, look one neighborhood out and plan a short drive or ride to campus.

Where can families eat near the University of California, Merced?

Popular places to eat near the University of California, Merced in Merced, CA include Jantz Cafe & Bakery, Five Ten Bistro and Rainbird Restaurant. The area around campus has the usual college-town mix — quick student favorites, coffee shops, and a few nicer sit-down restaurants for a family dinner. The spots closest to campus get busy on weekends and around games or events, so it helps to arrive early or reserve a table.

Where is the University of California, Merced located and how do families get around?

The University of California, Merced is located in Merced, CA. Most families fly into the nearest major airport and drive or ride to campus, then get around on foot once they arrive — college campuses are built to be walked. Give yourself extra time for parking and traffic on busy weekends, and plan to explore Merced itself, since the surrounding town is a big part of what daily life at UC Merced is like.

What is a SchoolScoops University of California, Merced tour?

A SchoolScoops University of California, Merced tour is a private, one-on-one campus tour led by a current UC Merced student you choose. Instead of a large, scripted admissions tour, you get an honest, personalized look at student life in Merced, CA — academics, dorms, dining, and the social scene — with real answers to the questions that matter to your family.

How is a SchoolScoops tour different from the official University of California, Merced campus tour?

The official University of California, Merced tour is a large group led by a guide the school assigns you. A SchoolScoops tour is private, self-paced, and led by a current UC Merced student you pick yourself — so you set the route, ask anything, and get candid answers an admissions tour usually won't cover.

Can I choose my University of California, Merced tour guide?

Yes. You can browse verified UC Merced student guide profiles and pick by major, interests, hometown, or background. Your guide then tailors the tour to what you care about most, whether that's a specific program, dorm life, or what there is to do in Merced, CA.

How do I book a University of California, Merced tour?

Choose a UC Merced student guide, pick a date and tour type, and send a Tour Request. Once your guide confirms availability and you complete payment, your University of California, Merced tour is booked, and you'll get everything you need to meet up or connect online ahead of time.

How much does a University of California, Merced tour cost?

A SchoolScoops University of California, Merced tour is $75 for a one-hour tour or $150 for a two-hour tour, whether you choose an in-person or virtual visit. You'll see the exact price on each UC Merced guide's profile before you book, so there are no surprises.

Can I tour the University of California, Merced virtually if I can't get to Merced?

Yes. Many UC Merced student guides offer virtual tours over video chat, so you can get an authentic inside look at the University of California, Merced without traveling. You can filter guide profiles to see who offers virtual sessions.

How long does a SchoolScoops University of California, Merced tour take?

SchoolScoops offers one-hour and two-hour private University of California, Merced tours, so you can pick the length that fits your visit. A one-hour tour is great for a focused look at the highlights, while a two-hour tour gives you time to explore dorms, dining, study spots, and the wider campus. Because every tour is one-on-one with a UC Merced student, you set the pace and spend your time on what matters most to you.

What should I ask on a University of California, Merced campus tour?

Strong questions for a University of California, Merced tour include: What surprised you most as a first-year? How easy is it to get the classes you want? What’s the social scene really like, and where do students study and hang out? Because SchoolScoops tours are led by a current UC Merced student, you’ll get honest, firsthand answers to questions an official admissions tour usually won’t cover.

Who leads SchoolScoops University of California, Merced tours?

Every University of California, Merced tour is led by a current UC Merced student who has been verified through SchoolScoops. They share firsthand, unscripted perspective on classes, professors, dorms, dining, and the social scene — the kind of insight you only get from someone living it right now.

How do I become a SchoolScoops guide at the University of California, Merced?

If you're a current UC Merced student, you can sign up, build a free profile in about two minutes, and start receiving Tour Requests once you're approved. Guides earn $40/hour for each tour they host.

UC Merced Tours | Private Campus Tours With UC Merced Students

Trusted by thousands of families at top colleges nationwide

Excellent

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Highly recommend Amelia. She was knowledgeable, provided insights into both academic and social aspects of life at Indiana University, and was very friendly. Thanks Amelia!

Amelia OIndiana University

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Yosef was an incredible tour guide—so welcoming, warm, and genuinely inspiring. He took the time to connect with both Matthew and Luke, and made the experience truly meaningful for them. His journey and perspective gave them a new level of motivation and confidence. We are so grateful for the time he spent with us and highly recommend him to any family visiting Stanford.

Yosef AStanford University

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We had a great experience with Nicolas! He took the time to show us around the university and explained many interesting things about the campus and student life. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and made the tour really enjoyable. Thanks to him, we got a much better impression of the university. Highly recommended!

Nicolas GNew York University

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Vidhi was fun-loving, helpful, and ready to help us discover UPenn! She gave us an in-depth tour of UPenn, including buildings relevant to my intended major(s) and residential halls.

We highly recommend her to anyone wanting a fair and comprehensive overview of Penn.

Vidhi PUniversity of Pennsylvania

“

Rory was such an amazing tour guide! We loved the school and also loved our time with her. This was the best way to experience UMich!

Rory PUniversity of Michigan

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Grey was fantastic and had a lot of information regarding everything on campus.

He spoke well about his personal experiences and it helped me get an idea of what my life at UGA would look like. Thank you, Grey.

Grey MUniversity of Georgia

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Angel managed to give us a good overview of a very large campus. As a transfer student he has a unique perspective on the culture of the university. Angel was really accommodating and shared his experience doing lab research as a Marine Biology major. He was very friendly and knew a lot of people on campus, so we were able to get a good sense of the community at UCSD.

Angel TUC San Diego

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Ian gave a fantastic tour of Dartmouth. He was professional, courteous, highly knowledgeable, really engaging, and had a powerful impact on my daughter. (Dartmouth now in her Top 3.) Even though my daughter's interest is in English, languages, music, and pre-law and Ian is a competitive student athlete they clicked and we had a great tour. Highly recommend. Thanks Ian

Ian SDartmouth College

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Ujala was great. She helped us understand what life at NYU is like and gave us good advice on the different majors. We highly recommend her as a guide.

Ujala CNew York University

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Annalise was an absolute pleasure. She was very passionate about the school, opportunities and the people. She made me really want to have a closer look at applying to University of South Carolina. I wish Annalise nothing but the best moving forward and I'd like to thank her for a great tour.

Annalise LUniversity of South Carolina

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Outstanding! Christian was a phenomenal tour guide. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend him enough.

Christian VUniversity of Florida

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Informative, friendly, nice... who could ask for anything more!? Sonia gave us the inside scoop. She's great!

Sonia PUCLA

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Riley was absolutely fantastic! She clearly knows her way around both the campus and Auburn's traditions. She was incredibly knowledgeable and answered every question with enthusiasm and depth. On top of that, she was so kind and genuine. Just by chatting with her I can tell that she truly loves her school. Her passion for Auburn made the tour even more enjoyable and really solidified my interest in becoming part of the Auburn family.

Riley SAuburn University

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So sweet and sooo knowledgeable, she was the best!! Totally recommend

Ashley RClemson University

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Sam was a terrific, high energy guide! He asked about our interests and customized a tour for us, which included the sports facilities, his favorite studying spots, the interior of some buildings, and a classroom. Most of all, we enjoyed hearing about his academic and social experiences at Penn and how the school has helped him actualize his dreams. Thank you, Sam!!

Sam SUniversity of Pennsylvania

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Chloe was super nice and friendly! We went to the different campuses, and she answered all my questions perfectly. By the end, I felt like I really had a great picture of Cornell, so the tour was super helpful!

Chloe CCornell University

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Jocelyn was a great guide and representative of Duke. She shared all the insights of campus life, and we were truly impressed with her knowledge and hospitality. We highly recommend Jocelyn for any tours at Duke.

Jocelyn MDuke University

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My tour with Haider was exceptional. He tailored the tour to my interests and provided valuable information about the University of Florida. Throughout the tour, he provided helpful insights into academic programs, student life, campus activities, and the overall culture at UF. He addressed questions from me and my family and by the end of the tour, we felt we had a genuine sense of what life at UF is like. I look forward to applying to the school and staying in touch. Thank you!!

Haider MFlorida State University

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Seeing Auburn with Maria and through her eyes made a huge difference for us: she’s kind, welcoming, knowledgeable and highly relatable. We’ve learnt so much in just a short time. Highly recommend booking two hours if you can.

Maria HAuburn University

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Joshua M was excellent. We enjoyed very much the tour at Rutgers. He gave us honest and very thoughtful answers, and adapted pretty good to the prospective student’s interests. He was also very enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about many topics that are important about transitioning to college life. I would highly recommend Joshua M for your tour if you have a 10th or 11th grader.

Joshua MRutgers University

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Yota was very good to relating to our high schooler. He asked good questions about their interests and then matched the strengths of UCSD to his answers. Very thoughtful tour guide. Highly recommend.

Yota IUC San Diego

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We participated in a private, two-hour campus tour of The Ohio State University, and it was an excellent experience. Our tour guide, Emily, was engaging, knowledgeable, and attentive to our family’s interests throughout the visit.

Emily guided my daughter, my wife, and me through several key areas of campus, including Thompson Library, the Rec Center, the Ohio Union, and multiple dining halls. She provided helpful insight into daily student life while also highlighting academic, social, and recreational resources available to students.

Emily HOhio State University

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Great experience! Prompt, friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. Isabel asked lots of questions of my aspiring student to get to know him so she could personalize the tour a bit. Highly recommend.

Isabel DUniversity of Georgia

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Whitney catered her tour to our interests and really gave thought to what information would help us. She was very knowledgeable on a wide variety of issues and was a joy to spend the afternoon with.

Whitney WClemson University

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Matthew was very knowledgeable about all things Clemson. He was professional and kind as well. We received a tour of the business school, discussed classes, study locations, registration, internships, and clubs. We were able to view freshman dorm locations, cafeterias, and the library. We discussed the Greek system, how to meet new people coming from another state. We learned about sports including intermeural, club and school sports. We discussed attending football and other sporting events and enjoying the downtown area.

Matthew GClemson University

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Mathew is a bright extremely personable and very positive Tour Guide. She knows university of Michigan very well and he gave us a comprehensive tour of the campus. I recommend Mathew very highly.

Matthew NUniversity of Michigan

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Charlie is an excellent guide. Thoughtful, funny, honest, caring. He gave us great advice and showed us all the highlights. A real gem.

Charlie GBrown University

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Vanessa was very informative and helpful in providing her experience as a current Brown student. She was also flexible, accommodating and extremely communicative throughout the entire experience.

Vanessa TBrown University

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Matt was very personable and informative, providing great insight into what it is like to be a student at BC. He answered all of our questions in detail and I would highly recommend him to any prospective BC student who wants to understand what it would be like to be a part of BC!

Matthew ABoston College

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Khoa was a fantastic guide! The tour of campus was fantastic but more importantly, his advice on the application process, student life, choosing majors, "why Stanford" and writing essays were incredibly helpful. Definitely recommend him to others. My daughter’s life was totally changed by this experience and she is now motivated to apply to Stanford. Thanks again!

Khoa TStanford University

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Isabela was extremely thorough, very accommodating, and an overall joy to spend time with and tour the campus.

Isabela PUniversity of Florida

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Our experience with Diana went really well! She is an excellent tour guide and brought us to many places on the campus!

Diana-Abasi ABrown University

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Jessie was knowledgable, fun, smart, engaged and was easy to talk to. He answered all our questions and was well-versed in both the academic and student life at Tufts. I would definitely recommend touring with Jesse.

Jesse KTufts University

Discover the SchoolScoops difference.
Choose your college with confidence.

SchoolScoops private tour

With SchoolScoops, you choose your guide and get real answers from a real student. See campus like an insider on a private tour personalized for you.

Typical college tour

Most campus tours feel generic—big groups, scripted stops, and a guide you didn't choose. But choosing a college isn't a group decision. It's a personal one.

The more personal way to tour the University of California, Merced

Private, personalized UC Merced tours

On a traditional University of California, Merced campus tour you're just a number in a big group. With SchoolScoops, you can book a private University of California, Merced tour led by a real UC Merced student, giving you a personalized campus visit and the chance to ask all the questions that are important to you.

Choose your own tour guide

Unlike a traditional University of California, Merced campus tour, SchoolScoops lets you choose your own tour guide. Whether you want to meet an engineering major, a student-athlete or a fellow transfer student, you'll get authentic insights and advice from someone who truly gets you.

No scripts, just scoops

Traditional University of California, Merced campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—the tour guide works for the school and their job is to show you the highlights. SchoolScoops guides don't work for their school, so there's no sales pitch—just honest, unfiltered advice about the UC Merced experience.

Find out if UC Merced is the school for you

Choosing where to go to college is a major decision and a huge investment. A private UC Merced tour helps you decide if the University of California, Merced is the right fit for your academic goals, career ambitions and college experience.

A student leading a private campus tour through a college quad

A parent and student browsing student tour guide profiles on a laptop

Two college students chatting candidly on a campus bench

A prospective student exploring a college campus to decide if it is the right fit

Get to know

University of California, Merced

The Scoop

The University of California, Merced is the youngest campus in the UC system, opened in 2005, and serves as a public research university located in California's Central Valley. With approximately 9,000 students, UC Merced offers strong programs in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, and is known for its commitment to first-generation and underrepresented students. The university has grown rapidly into a recognized research institution.

Campus life at UC Merced is shaped by its modern, sustainability-focused campus design and its tight-knit community feel. The university serves a student body that is among the most diverse in the UC system, with many first-generation students. The Central Valley setting offers easy access to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Admissions are accessible relative to other UC campuses, and UC Merced attracts students who want a UC education in a smaller, community-oriented environment.

UC Merced's graduates benefit from strong support services, faculty mentorship, and the prestige of a UC degree, with growing alumni networks across California. The university's emphasis on access, research, and sustainability sets it apart. A campus tour with a current Bobcat can show you the modern facilities, the close-knit community, and the unique opportunities of being part of the newest UC.

SchoolScoops offers private, student-led University of California, Merced campus tours starting at $75 for one hour or $150 for two hours. Tours are available in person or by video chat and are led by a real, verified current UC Merced student of your choice.

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Parents→Help your child feel confident they're making the right choice Group tours→Private college tours for groups of 5 to 100+ students School partnershipsSchoolScoops helps admissions teams boost applications and yield→SchoolScoops Analytics2,847Applications+24%68%Yield Rate+12%Campus Tours1,240Video Chats876Group Tours631 Vidhi was fun-loving, helpful, and ready to help us discover UPenn! Vidhi P

Vidhi PUniversity of PennsylvaniaGrey was fantastic and had a lot of information about everything on campus. Grey M

Grey MUniversity of GeorgiaIan gave a fantastic tour. He was professional and highly knowledgeable. Ian S

Ian SDartmouth CollegeAnnalise was an absolute pleasure. She was very passionate about the school, opportunities and the people.

Annalise LUniversity of South CarolinaInformative, friendly, nice... who could ask for anything more!? Sonia gave us the inside scoop. She's great! Sonia P

Sonia PUCLAWe had a great experience with Nicolas! He took the time to show us around the university and explained many interesting things about the campus and student life.

Nicolas GNew York UniversityRory was such an amazing tour guide! We loved the school and also loved our time with her. This was the best way to experience UMich! Rory P

Rory PUniversity of MichiganSo sweet and sooo knowledgeable, she was the best!! Totally recommend

Ashley RClemson UniversityUjala was great. She helped us understand what life at NYU is like and gave us good advice on the different majors. We highly recommend her as a guide. Ujala C

Ujala CNew York UniversityOutstanding! Christian was a phenomenal tour guide. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend him enough.

Christian VUniversity of FloridaAngel managed to give us a good overview of a very large campus. As a transfer student he has a unique perspective on the culture of the university. Angel T

Angel TUC San DiegoHighly recommend Amelia. She was knowledgeable, provided insights into both academic and social aspects of life at Indiana University, and was very friendly.

Amelia OIndiana UniversityChloe was super nice and friendly! We went to the different campuses, and she answered all my questions perfectly. By the end, I felt like I really had a great picture of Cornell! Chloe C

Chloe CCornell UniversityShruti was awesome! She gave my daughter and me a very thorough tour and provided lots of insights along the way. Highly recommend!

Shruti AUC BerkeleyRiley gave an amazing tour of Auburn. She was a great representative of the university and my daughter was very happy as a prospective student. Highly recommend! Riley S

Riley SAuburn UniversitySam was a terrific, high energy guide! He asked about our interests and customized a tour for us. Most of all, we enjoyed hearing about his academic and social experiences at Penn. Sam S

Sam SUniversity of PennsylvaniaYosef gave us a really nice tour around the campus, talked about the history and campus life, and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend! Yosef A

Yosef AStanford UniversityVidhi was fun-loving, helpful, and ready to help us discover UPenn! Vidhi P

Vidhi PUniversity of PennsylvaniaGrey was fantastic and had a lot of information about everything on campus. Grey M

Grey MUniversity of GeorgiaIan gave a fantastic tour. He was professional and highly knowledgeable. Ian S

Ian SDartmouth CollegeAnnalise was an absolute pleasure. She was very passionate about the school, opportunities and the people.

Annalise LUniversity of South CarolinaInformative, friendly, nice... who could ask for anything more!? Sonia gave us the inside scoop. She's great! Sonia P

Sonia PUCLAWe had a great experience with Nicolas! He took the time to show us around the university and explained many interesting things about the campus and student life.

Nicolas GNew York UniversityRory was such an amazing tour guide! We loved the school and also loved our time with her. This was the best way to experience UMich! Rory P

Rory PUniversity of MichiganSo sweet and sooo knowledgeable, she was the best!! Totally recommend

Ashley RClemson UniversityUjala was great. She helped us understand what life at NYU is like and gave us good advice on the different majors. We highly recommend her as a guide. Ujala C

Ujala CNew York UniversityOutstanding! Christian was a phenomenal tour guide. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend him enough.

Christian VUniversity of FloridaAngel managed to give us a good overview of a very large campus. As a transfer student he has a unique perspective on the culture of the university. Angel T

Angel TUC San DiegoHighly recommend Amelia. She was knowledgeable, provided insights into both academic and social aspects of life at Indiana University, and was very friendly.

Chloe CCornell UniversityShruti was awesome! She gave my daughter and me a very thorough tour and provided lots of insights along the way. Highly recommend!

Shruti AUC BerkeleyRiley gave an amazing tour of Auburn. She was a great representative of the university and my daughter was very happy as a prospective student. Highly recommend! Riley S

Sam SUniversity of PennsylvaniaYosef gave us a really nice tour around the campus, talked about the history and campus life, and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend! Yosef A

Yosef AStanford UniversityVidhi was fun-loving, helpful, and ready to help us discover UPenn! Vidhi P

Vidhi PUniversity of PennsylvaniaGrey was fantastic and had a lot of information about everything on campus. Grey M

Grey MUniversity of GeorgiaIan gave a fantastic tour. He was professional and highly knowledgeable. Ian S

Ian SDartmouth CollegeAnnalise was an absolute pleasure. She was very passionate about the school, opportunities and the people.

Annalise LUniversity of South CarolinaInformative, friendly, nice... who could ask for anything more!? Sonia gave us the inside scoop. She's great! Sonia P

Sonia PUCLAWe had a great experience with Nicolas! He took the time to show us around the university and explained many interesting things about the campus and student life.

Nicolas GNew York UniversityRory was such an amazing tour guide! We loved the school and also loved our time with her. This was the best way to experience UMich! Rory P

Rory PUniversity of MichiganSo sweet and sooo knowledgeable, she was the best!! Totally recommend

Ashley RClemson UniversityUjala was great. She helped us understand what life at NYU is like and gave us good advice on the different majors. We highly recommend her as a guide. Ujala C

Ujala CNew York UniversityOutstanding! Christian was a phenomenal tour guide. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend him enough.

Christian VUniversity of FloridaAngel managed to give us a good overview of a very large campus. As a transfer student he has a unique perspective on the culture of the university. Angel T

Angel TUC San DiegoHighly recommend Amelia. She was knowledgeable, provided insights into both academic and social aspects of life at Indiana University, and was very friendly.

Chloe CCornell UniversityShruti was awesome! She gave my daughter and me a very thorough tour and provided lots of insights along the way. Highly recommend!

Shruti AUC BerkeleyRiley gave an amazing tour of Auburn. She was a great representative of the university and my daughter was very happy as a prospective student. Highly recommend! Riley S

Sam SUniversity of PennsylvaniaYosef gave us a really nice tour around the campus, talked about the history and campus life, and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend! Yosef A

Yosef AStanford UniversityTestimonials→See why thousands of families trust and choose SchoolScoops

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Vidhi was fun-loving, helpful, and ready to help us discover UPenn! Vidhi P

Vidhi PUniversity of PennsylvaniaGrey was fantastic and had a lot of information about everything on campus. Grey M

Grey MUniversity of GeorgiaIan gave a fantastic tour. He was professional and highly knowledgeable. Ian S

Ian SDartmouth CollegeAnnalise was an absolute pleasure. She was very passionate about the school, opportunities and the people.

Annalise LUniversity of South CarolinaInformative, friendly, nice... who could ask for anything more!? Sonia gave us the inside scoop. She's great! Sonia P

Sonia PUCLAWe had a great experience with Nicolas! He took the time to show us around the university and explained many interesting things about the campus and student life.

Nicolas GNew York UniversityRory was such an amazing tour guide! We loved the school and also loved our time with her. This was the best way to experience UMich! Rory P

Rory PUniversity of MichiganSo sweet and sooo knowledgeable, she was the best!! Totally recommend

Ashley RClemson UniversityUjala was great. She helped us understand what life at NYU is like and gave us good advice on the different majors. We highly recommend her as a guide. Ujala C

Ujala CNew York UniversityOutstanding! Christian was a phenomenal tour guide. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend him enough.

Christian VUniversity of FloridaAngel managed to give us a good overview of a very large campus. As a transfer student he has a unique perspective on the culture of the university. Angel T

Angel TUC San DiegoHighly recommend Amelia. She was knowledgeable, provided insights into both academic and social aspects of life at Indiana University, and was very friendly.

Chloe CCornell UniversityShruti was awesome! She gave my daughter and me a very thorough tour and provided lots of insights along the way. Highly recommend!

Shruti AUC BerkeleyRiley gave an amazing tour of Auburn. She was a great representative of the university and my daughter was very happy as a prospective student. Highly recommend! Riley S

Sam SUniversity of PennsylvaniaYosef gave us a really nice tour around the campus, talked about the history and campus life, and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend! Yosef A

Yosef AStanford UniversityVidhi was fun-loving, helpful, and ready to help us discover UPenn! Vidhi P

Vidhi PUniversity of PennsylvaniaGrey was fantastic and had a lot of information about everything on campus. Grey M

Grey MUniversity of GeorgiaIan gave a fantastic tour. He was professional and highly knowledgeable. Ian S

Ian SDartmouth CollegeAnnalise was an absolute pleasure. She was very passionate about the school, opportunities and the people.

Annalise LUniversity of South CarolinaInformative, friendly, nice... who could ask for anything more!? Sonia gave us the inside scoop. She's great! Sonia P

Sonia PUCLAWe had a great experience with Nicolas! He took the time to show us around the university and explained many interesting things about the campus and student life.

Nicolas GNew York UniversityRory was such an amazing tour guide! We loved the school and also loved our time with her. This was the best way to experience UMich! Rory P

Rory PUniversity of MichiganSo sweet and sooo knowledgeable, she was the best!! Totally recommend

Ashley RClemson UniversityUjala was great. She helped us understand what life at NYU is like and gave us good advice on the different majors. We highly recommend her as a guide. Ujala C

Ujala CNew York UniversityOutstanding! Christian was a phenomenal tour guide. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend him enough.

Christian VUniversity of FloridaAngel managed to give us a good overview of a very large campus. As a transfer student he has a unique perspective on the culture of the university. Angel T

Angel TUC San DiegoHighly recommend Amelia. She was knowledgeable, provided insights into both academic and social aspects of life at Indiana University, and was very friendly.

Chloe CCornell UniversityShruti was awesome! She gave my daughter and me a very thorough tour and provided lots of insights along the way. Highly recommend!

Shruti AUC BerkeleyRiley gave an amazing tour of Auburn. She was a great representative of the university and my daughter was very happy as a prospective student. Highly recommend! Riley S

Sam SUniversity of PennsylvaniaYosef gave us a really nice tour around the campus, talked about the history and campus life, and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend! Yosef A

Yosef AStanford UniversityVidhi was fun-loving, helpful, and ready to help us discover UPenn! Vidhi P

Vidhi PUniversity of PennsylvaniaGrey was fantastic and had a lot of information about everything on campus. Grey M

Grey MUniversity of GeorgiaIan gave a fantastic tour. He was professional and highly knowledgeable. Ian S

Ian SDartmouth CollegeAnnalise was an absolute pleasure. She was very passionate about the school, opportunities and the people.

Annalise LUniversity of South CarolinaInformative, friendly, nice... who could ask for anything more!? Sonia gave us the inside scoop. She's great! Sonia P

Sonia PUCLAWe had a great experience with Nicolas! He took the time to show us around the university and explained many interesting things about the campus and student life.

Nicolas GNew York UniversityRory was such an amazing tour guide! We loved the school and also loved our time with her. This was the best way to experience UMich! Rory P

Rory PUniversity of MichiganSo sweet and sooo knowledgeable, she was the best!! Totally recommend

Ashley RClemson UniversityUjala was great. She helped us understand what life at NYU is like and gave us good advice on the different majors. We highly recommend her as a guide. Ujala C

Ujala CNew York UniversityOutstanding! Christian was a phenomenal tour guide. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend him enough.

Christian VUniversity of FloridaAngel managed to give us a good overview of a very large campus. As a transfer student he has a unique perspective on the culture of the university. Angel T

Angel TUC San DiegoHighly recommend Amelia. She was knowledgeable, provided insights into both academic and social aspects of life at Indiana University, and was very friendly.

Chloe CCornell UniversityShruti was awesome! She gave my daughter and me a very thorough tour and provided lots of insights along the way. Highly recommend!

Shruti AUC BerkeleyRiley gave an amazing tour of Auburn. She was a great representative of the university and my daughter was very happy as a prospective student. Highly recommend! Riley S

Sam SUniversity of PennsylvaniaYosef gave us a really nice tour around the campus, talked about the history and campus life, and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend! Yosef A

Yosef AStanford UniversityTestimonials→See why thousands of families trust and choose SchoolScoops Parents→Help your child feel confident they're making the right choice

Group tours→Private college tours for groups of 5 to 100+ students School partnershipsSchoolScoops helps admissions teams boost applications and yield→SchoolScoops Analytics2,847Applications+24%68%Yield Rate+12%Campus Tours1,240Video Chats876Group Tours631

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Frequently asked questions

A SchoolScoops University of California, Merced tour is a private, one-on-one campus tour led by a current UC Merced student you choose. Instead of a large, scripted admissions tour, you get an honest, personalized look at student life in Merced, CA — academics, dorms, dining, and the social scene — with real answers to the questions that matter to your family.
The official University of California, Merced tour is a large group led by a guide the school assigns you. A SchoolScoops tour is private, self-paced, and led by a current UC Merced student you pick yourself — so you set the route, ask anything, and get candid answers an admissions tour usually won't cover.
Yes. You can browse verified UC Merced student guide profiles and pick by major, interests, hometown, or background. Your guide then tailors the tour to what you care about most, whether that's a specific program, dorm life, or what there is to do in Merced, CA.
Choose a UC Merced student guide, pick a date and tour type, and send a Tour Request. Once your guide confirms availability and you complete payment, your University of California, Merced tour is booked, and you'll get everything you need to meet up or connect online ahead of time.
A SchoolScoops University of California, Merced tour is $75 for a one-hour tour or $150 for a two-hour tour, whether you choose an in-person or virtual visit. You'll see the exact price on each UC Merced guide's profile before you book, so there are no surprises.
Yes. Many UC Merced student guides offer virtual tours over video chat, so you can get an authentic inside look at the University of California, Merced without traveling. You can filter guide profiles to see who offers virtual sessions.
SchoolScoops offers one-hour and two-hour private University of California, Merced tours, so you can pick the length that fits your visit. A one-hour tour is great for a focused look at the highlights, while a two-hour tour gives you time to explore dorms, dining, study spots, and the wider campus. Because every tour is one-on-one with a UC Merced student, you set the pace and spend your time on what matters most to you.
Strong questions for a University of California, Merced tour include: What surprised you most as a first-year? How easy is it to get the classes you want? What’s the social scene really like, and where do students study and hang out? Because SchoolScoops tours are led by a current UC Merced student, you’ll get honest, firsthand answers to questions an official admissions tour usually won’t cover.
Every University of California, Merced tour is led by a current UC Merced student who has been verified through SchoolScoops. They share firsthand, unscripted perspective on classes, professors, dorms, dining, and the social scene — the kind of insight you only get from someone living it right now.
If you're a current UC Merced student, you can sign up, build a free profile in about two minutes, and start receiving Tour Requests once you're approved. Guides earn $40/hour for each tour they host.

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