The Merced Automatic Admissions Program [MAAP] gives eligible students the opportunity to apply for automatic admission to the University of California, Merced [UC Merced]. On Tuesday, November 28, Visalia Unified School District [VUSD] held a commemoration for students accepted.
By Ayla Ozturk
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the Visalia Unified School District Board of Education held a recognition for students accepted into UC Merced’s MAAP program.
The Merced Automatic Admissions Program is a partnership between UC Merced and several school districts in the Central Valley.
The program is designed to create pathways from high school to higher education in the Valley.
Dustin Noji, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at UC Merced, says, “Our big hope is that this brings options to students to become the next folks that come and support the valley development, to see students go to UC Merced, and maybe [see] future doctors and engineers and teachers.”
Last Spring, eligible students were sent the application to the program. If they get accepted and meet the A-G criteria, they are guaranteed admission to UC Merced. The class of 2024 is the first class to have the opportunity.
Emma Sanchez, ’24, was accepted into the MAAP program. She says, “[Getting accepted] is amazing. I honestly didn’t know that I would be accepted because UCs are known for being difficult to get into.”
Walta Gamoian is the VUSD Board President. She says, “I’m very excited for this program. My goal, when I ran for school board was that I wanted every kid to succeed. I feel like more of our kids are going to be able to live their dreams.”
Automatic admissions programs remove some of the barriers to getting higher education.
In addition to MAAP, VUSD has two other programs: Fresno State and Fresno Pacific University.
Gamoian says, “I’m excited for our kids who traditionally maybe don’t think they can go to college. Now they know they can. My hope and prayer is that they come back to Visalia and add to our community.”
Ayla Ozturk
Ayla Ozturk, class of 2024, is a fourth-year journalism student passionate about leading the News section. She is dedicated to informing students and amplifying their voices through Government and Politics writing.
You can reach her at ayla.oz3769@vusd.us.
Tags: automatic admissions, guaranteed admission, news, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood news, redwood rangers, rhs, uc merced, visalia ca, vusd, vusd board of education