Admissions

Attention: Changes to this page have been made. Please see Catalog Addendum  for details.

Admission Requirements

Degree-Seeking Students (Matriculating)

Mercy College provides educational opportunities for applicants who demonstrate motivation, desire and the potential to benefit from, and contribute to, its programs of study. Qualified applicants are admitted without regard to race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or physical disability.

First-Time Freshman

First-time student candidates for admission must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

1. A completed Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $40. Mercy College accepts applications online and in paper format. Online Applications are available through the Common Application or from Mercy College’s website at www.mercy.edu/applyonline.
2. An official, final high school transcript (provided by the high school directly to the College), which includes all secondary school grades, class rank and date of graduation. Students whose transcripts are unavailable should consult with an admissions counselor. Or, the applicant can provide a High School Equivalency Diploma, if applicable, with corresponding score sheet.

Matriculating Transfer Students

Transfer candidates must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

1. A completed Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $40. Mercy College accepts applications online and in paper format. Online Applications are available through the Common Application or from Mercy College’s website at www.mercy.edu/applyonline.
2. Official, final transcript(s) from each college or university previously attended and official translation if necessary; and
3. An official, final high school transcript (provided by the high school directly to the College), which includes date of graduation. Students whose transcripts are unavailable should consult with an admissions counselor. Or, the applicant can provide a High School Equivalency Diploma, if applicable, with corresponding score sheet.

Major Concentrations with Supplemental Admissions Requirements

The following major concentrations at Mercy College require supplemental admissions items: Design + Animation, Generic Nursing, Music Production and Recording Arts, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Social Work, and Veterinary Technology Program with Specialization in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. For further information, refer to the relevant program page in this Catalog, the College’s website, or contact the Office of Admissions.

Additional Admissions Information

Mercy College takes a holistic approach in reviewing each student’s application. In the admission decision, we review a student’s transcript and academic record, including the courses taken and the grades attained. Other factors considered include the written essay, letters of recommendation, leadership potential, extracurricular and service-related activities, and the ability to contribute positively to the campus community. Mercy College has a test-optional admissions policy for the majority of applicants. SAT or ACT scores are required for freshman applicants to the traditional nursing program and prospective athletes wishing to participate in our NCAA Division II programs. International student applicants may also submit SAT or ACT scores to satisfy language proficiency requirements. 

All material for the application file is reviewed upon receipt. Mercy College applications for all three semesters (fall, spring and summer) are received on a rolling basis.

Acceptances are based upon completion of all admissions requirements and forms. The official, final high school transcript and any other forms and material that may be required are due on or before enrollment. If the high school transcript and the other required forms and materials are not submitted by that date, admission may be denied. Please note that all materials and documents (including original documents) submitted as part of an application for admission become the property of Mercy College and cannot be returned.

Upon notification of acceptance by Mercy College, applicants are requested to contact the Office of Admissions to submit their enrollment deposit and complete their registration. An enrollment deposit of $100 for a commuter student ($200 for a resident student) is required to reserve a place as an entering student. As per National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) guidelines, the $100 commuter deposit and the $200 resident deposit will be refundable up until May 1 (fall or summer start) or December 15 (spring start). Refund requests must be made in writing to the Admissions Office by stated deadlines. Deposits will be forfeited by non-attendees after stated deadlines. Full immunization compliance is required for registration. Please see Immunization Compliance Requirements at the end of this section.

Students who do not meet the minimum criteria for admission into the regular Mercy College program may be eligible for admission to one of the special programs under the umbrella of the College Opportunity Programs.

Application is made with the understanding that admission, matriculation and graduation are subject to the academic policies of Mercy College and that acceptance implies the obligation to abide by the rules and regulations of the College. The College reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student who does not meet the above stated requirements.

Additional Information for Transfer Students

Transfer candidates applying for advanced standing will receive credit in transfer upon matriculation at Mercy College. Credit is usually transferable for all courses in which the applicant has obtained a grade of C (2.0) or higher. If a student has an Associate’s degree and an average of C in courses taken for that degree, he/she will ordinarily receive full credit for all the courses successfully completed in earning that degree. If a student has an associate’s degree, with a minimum of 48 credits in liberal arts and sciences, and an average grade of C in courses taken toward that degree, he/she may receive full credit by way of course substitutions for having completed the general education requirements for the bachelor’s degree at Mercy College with the exception of any general education courses that are Prerequisites for the major. The evaluation of transcripts for the purpose of determining transferable credit is done on an individual basis. Matriculating students must successfully complete at least 30 semester-hours of credit in residence, 15–21 credits of which must be in their major concentration, in order to receive their degree from Mercy College.

A maximum of 75 credits may be accepted upon transfer from accredited two-year colleges. A maximum of 90 credits may be accepted upon transfer from accredited four-year colleges. Combined transfer credits from two- and four -year colleges may not exceed 90 credits. All final official transcripts with completed coursework must be submitted before the end of a student’s first semester at Mercy College, and before any financial aid may be disbursed to the student.

Campus Visits and Information Sessions

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the College and to schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor to discuss academic and career goals, admission requirements, financial aid availability, and registration procedures. Appointments may be made with an admissions counselor at any of Mercy College’s campuses. Applicants can also visit our website at www.mercy.edu.

Special Categories of Admissions

Accelerated Students

Accelerated students who have completed the requirements for a high school diploma after three years of high school may matriculate at Mercy College. Such students should apply for admission during their junior year in high school. Exceptional students may matriculate and study full-time under supervision at Mercy College without completing formal work for the high school diploma. Such students are accepted by Mercy College in accordance with the Early Admission Guidelines set forth by the New York State Education Department.

Advanced Placement

Students who have taken college-level courses in high school and who have received satisfactory scores on the College Board Advanced Placement Examinations are exempt from taking corresponding courses at Mercy College and are eligible for advanced standing. Students may also obtain advanced placement by achieving satisfactory scores on tests administered by the College Level Examination Program and the Excelsior College Examinations. Credits earned in this way may be used to satisfy general requirements. Credit may also be awarded for Life Achievement following submission and evaluation of a portfolio. For more information, please see the Life Achievement Portfolio Development (Formerly: Life Achievement Portfolio Preparation)   section in the Academic Regulations and Procedures and Student Policies   page of this catalog.

Advanced Study

High school seniors (or those about to enter their senior year) who wish to register for a course as a non-matriculate student may do so provided they meet certain requirements. This is an enrichment program — not for students who need to make up credits because they have failed high school classes. High school students are not eligible to take remedial courses under this program.

High school students must take the English Placement Test and score at the 110/111 level. If they are taking courses that require it, they must also take the Mathematics Placement Test. The placement tests can be waived under special circumstances.

High school students must submit a letter of permission from an appropriate high school official (varies upon school — guidance counselor, principal, assistant principal etc.)

High school students may register on a space available basis on the first day of the term at a reduced tuition rate.

High school students should complete the College’s registration process. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information at 877-MERCY-GO.

Adult Students

Mercy College offers qualified and motivated adult students the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree. Adult students who do not meet Mercy College’s undergraduate admission requirements may gain entrance into most undergraduate degree programs based on the review of alternative admission materials. To qualify for such a review, students must (a) be age 24 or over, (b) be out of school (high school or college) for five or more years, and (c) have three or more years of professional work experience. Students must submit a current resume or CV. An admissions interview may be required on a case-by-case basis.

Students applying for admission to undergraduate programs in Design + Animation (formerly Computer Arts + Design), Music Production and Recording Arts, Nursing (R.N. to B.S.), and Social Work will be required to submit supplemental documents or proof of licensure. Undergraduate programs in Generic Nursing, Veterinary Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Health Science are not eligible for alternative admission. Adult students applying to these programs must meet regular admission requirements. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 1-877-MERCY-GO or email admissions@mercy.edu.

Dual Degree Programs

Mercy College offers several Dual Degree Programs which enable you to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the fields of Accounting, Business, Education, Nursing, Health Sciences, Cybersecurity or Psychology. Many of these programs allow students to take graduate credits in their junior and senior years, and these credits can be used towards satisfying their bachelor’s as well as master’s degree requirements. Combining undergraduate and graduate degree programs streamlines the certification process in many of the related professions thus reducing the time and costs associated with obtaining a master’s degree.

International Students

International applicants who plan to attend Mercy College under F-1 non-immigrant student status should contact the International Students Office and request the I-20 Eligibility Form, other immigration and admissions related materials, and assistance with visa procedures.

The International Students Office provides academic support and immigration advisement for holders of F-1 non-immigrant status in the U.S. Individuals who may be considering a Change of Status (COS) to F-1 International Student, or need information about their eligibility to study in their current immigration status, should contact the International Students Office for support. The office assists members of the Mercy College international community by providing direct support with academic, career, employment, immigration, personal, cross-cultural and financial matters as it serves as a referral source to other college offices and academic departments. The office will advise on immigration matters including, general information on students’ rights and responsibilities, assistance with procedures required for transferring institutions, extensions of stay, permission to work and practical training experiences. All F-1 international students must report within 15 days of arrival to the International Students Office of Mercy College with their travel and immigration documents. International students may contact the International Students Office at (914) 674-7284 or international@mercy.edu.

Official transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by NACES, AICE, or AACRAO members, or internally, and sent directly to the Admissions Office at Mercy College. A foreign academic credential evaluation is not required for an American school outside of the United States if it holds accreditation from an approved regional accrediting agency. International applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class of the proposed term of entry unless an exception has been made by the international admissions office or appointed program chair. For more information regarding English proficiency requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions at 877-MERCY-GO or write to admissions@mercy.edu.

Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans

At Mercy College, the past and present sacrifices made by student veterans in service to our nation are deeply appreciated. For active-duty service members and military veterans who want to advance their education and career in the midst of a rigorous lifestyle, Mercy College enables students to earn an undergraduate and/or graduate degree from more than 90 degree choices. Mercy College degree programs are designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding military schedule in an affordable, flexible, and individual approach with special emphasis on distance learning, service relevant programs, and second career paths.

Mercy College is an official U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Yellow Ribbon School, and a G.I. Jobs Top Military Friendly School. It is also recognized as a Service Members’ Opportunity College (SOC), providing educational assistance to active duty service members; a joint member of the Department of Defense Concurrent Admissions Pro-gram; and an approved college for the National Guard Tuition Grant Program.

Mercy College offers the following benefits for members of the armed forces and veterans:

1. Use of admissions procedures that ensure access to higher education for academically qualified military personnel
2. Evaluation of learning gained through military experiences and academic credit awarded where applicable to the service member’s program of study
3. Evaluation of non-traditional learning and awarding of academic credit for such learning where applicable to the service member’s program of study
4. Evaluation of requests for inter-institutional transfer of credits and acceptance of such credits whenever they are appropriate to the service member’s program and are consistent with the College’s curriculum
5. Flexibility to service members in satisfying residence requirements by making adjustments for military students who transfer when there are other assurances of program balance
6. Education and student support services for veterans
7. Adherence to U.S. Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) program requirements for all Active Duty members.
8. The college will readmit a service member with the same academic status as he/she had when last attending the school or accepted for admission to the school.

New York State Department of Health Bureau Immunization Program

All students attending colleges and universities in New York State are required to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. Students born before January 1, 1957, are exempt from this requirement. Failure to show proof of compliance with this regulation may prohibit students from attending classes. In addition, students are required to submit a record of meningococcal meningitis immunization within the past ten years, or an acknowledgment of meningococcal disease risks and refusal of the immunization signed by the student.

For further information about the New York State Department of Health immunization requirements, please contact the Mercy College Office of Enrollment Services.

Non-Degree-Seeking Students (Non-Matriculating)

Students who wish to enroll in courses for college credit on a non-matriculating (non-degree) basis may register for those courses by completing a simple non-degree application for admission to Mercy College. Placement testing and submission of prior transcripts may be necessary depending on the Prerequisites of the chosen courses. Applications for non-matriculating students are available online and in the Office of Admissions at each campus location. Undergraduate students may only take up to 24 credits as a non-degree seeking student and are encouraged to apply for regular admission.

Facts about the Post-9/11 GI Bill

Mercy College’s designation as a Yellow Ribbon school combined with Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits virtually eliminates any education costs throughout a student’s college career. In addition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill may provide up to $9,000 toward living expenses every semester to eligible Mercy College students. Transitioning from military service to academic life has never been easier, thanks to Mercy College and the GI Bill.

• The education benefit of the Post-9/11 GI Bill can now be used for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.
• There are increased benefit limits — including a housing cost allowance that is paid directly to the veteran.
• The tuition benefit is paid directly to Mercy College — 100 percent eligible veterans will have no out-of-pocket tuition costs.
• In certain cases, veteran GI Bill benefits can be transferred to an immediate family member.

A Chapter 33 or Chapter 31 veteran student is eligible to commence his/her education upon admittance to the College as of the first day of the respective term. A veteran student will not be prohibited from enrollment for lack of submission of his/her Certificate of Eligibility(COE) for Entitlement for Educational Assistance. To prevent any late payment fees, the COE must be submitted on or before the first day of the term. A covered veteran student will not be penalized due to delayed disbursements from the Department of Veteran Affairs. 

For further information regarding VA Benefits Certification, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at 914-674-3104.

Senior Citizen

Senior citizens (age 62 and older) may register on a space available basis on the first day of the term at the reduced tuition rate. Senior citizens should complete the College’s registration process, and should be prepared to show proof of age.