Alumni Share Their Experiences

In the summer, alumni who graduated with bachelor's degrees in Summer 2010, Winter 2010 or Spring 2011 were invited to give feedback about their time at UC Merced and their post-graduation employment and educational pursuits.

Here are highlights of what those who completed the survey had to say about their experience as Bobcats:

• 45 percent conducted research with a faculty member outside of class while studying at UC Merced
• 56 percent had one or more campus job while studying at UC Merced
• Of those respondents who are employed, 66 percent were offered their first position within six months of graduating
• Of those respondents who are attending graduate or professional schools, 57 percent are pursuing master's degrees, 13 percent medical degrees or doctorates of pharmacology, 13 percent seek Ph.D.s, 10 percent are working toward juris doctorate degrees, and 7 percent seek second post-baccalaureate degrees/certifications
• 62 percent feel connected or very connected to UC Merced
• 80 percent are registered to vote

Here are some student memories of UC Merced:

“My favorite memory at UC Merced was the first time I saw the hills in the distance from campus ... and realized we were in a lovely, pristine place filled with possibilities.”

“Volunteering at the Class of 2009 commencement ceremony where First Lady Michelle Obama was the speaker. Her speech was an encouragement to continue forward in my studies and, ultimately, my career.”

"My favorite memory of my time at UC Merced has got to be the time and camaraderie that I found in my laboratory experience ... the personal decorum, the interpersonal relationships and the intellectual stimulation that I remember being a part of have been the most formative of my experiences on the campus. Period.”

“What I loved about UC Merced was the freedom. We had the opportunity and freedom to do anything we wanted and people actually listened and made those ideas happen! I loved our close sense of community!"

View a copy of the full survey results.