Mercy College is a private university in Manhattan, New York that offers admission to more than 90-degree programs at undergraduate and graduate level along with several online and certificate programs. Unparalleled degrees in the study areas of Education, Business, Health & Natural Sciences, Social & Behavioural Sciences, and Liberal Arts, among others are offered at this prestigious organization of the US Education System.
With an acceptance rate of 82% in the Fall of 2023, Mercy College of New York admissions are slightly selective. A total of 6,720 applicants applied for admissions this semester, out of which, 5,510 students were offered admission. Currently, 10,557 (7,993 undergraduate) students are enrolled in the university representing 40 states and 51 countries.
Programs offered by Mercy College of New York include hundreds of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees offered through its five schools of Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Social and Behavioural Sciences.
Mercy College New York invites admissions on a rolling basis for the Fall and Spring semesters. The priority deadlines are March 15 for fall admissions and December 15 for spring admissions.
- It is a test-optional institution, with the exception of the traditional Nursing program. It does not require an ACT or SAT for international undergraduate students.
- International applicants should submit the application at least 30 days prior to the start date of the program.
- International applicants must submit English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent).
- A Foreign Credential Evaluation by WES, IFCS, Scholaro, or SpanTran is required.
COVID-19 Admission Updates
In the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), following are the steps taken by the University:
- The University plans on opening the campus for its Fall Semester which will start on September 9.
- Social distancing norms will be kept in mind to ensure the safety of the students.
- Classes will have in-person and online classes simultaneously with the addition of video and recording technology.
- Students can avail the online library for any reading material.
- International students can contact International Admissions for further support.
Highlights
| Admission portal | Common Application; or Online application |
| Application fee | Non-refundable USD 40 |
| Acceptance rate | 79% |
| Mode of payment | Online – Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, other debit cards; in-person or by mail |
| Academic calendar | Semester-based |
| Intake sessions | Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| Financial aid | Available |
| Codes | ETS Code: 2409 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 17:1 |
| First-year retention rate | 73% |
| Graduation Rate | Four-Year: 19% Six-Year: 42% |
| Total Enrolment | 10,557 |
Admission Deadlines
- It invites admissions on a rolling basis for the Fall and Spring semesters.
- The priority deadlines are March 15 for fall admissions and December 15 for spring admissions.
- International applicants should submit the application at least 30 days prior to the start date of the program.
- Applicants can check the Mercy College’s Academic Calendar to know the start date of the programs being offered.
International Students Admission
University accepts international students provided they have completed their application within the deadlines and submitted the additional documents required. As applying to another country can be a tedious task, it is recommended to give at least 6 months to start applying for your college. It must be ensured that students are following the U.S. visa and immigration policies as they are subject to change. Students can contact the admissions office for any queries in this regard.
How to apply?
Admission Portal: Common Application or Online application
Application Fee: Non-refundable USD 40
Basic Admission Requirements:
- Completed Application
- Official High School Transcripts
- Must be accompanied by English translations if not in English.
- Foreign Credential Evaluation by WES, IFCS, Scholaro, or SpanTran
- SAT/ACT Scores (Optional)
- Some programs have additional requirements:
- Nursing
- Veterinary Technology
- Music Production and Recording Arts
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- International applicants must submit English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo). Minimum required scores are:
- TOEFL iBT: 71
- IELTS: 6.0
- PTE: 48
- Bank Statements
- Verification/Affidavit of Sponsor’s Financial Support Form
Mailing Address
Student Services Support Center
Mercy College
2651 Strang Blvd
Yorktown Heights
NY, 10598
USA
Mercy College
Office of Admissions
828 S Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Contact No.: 1.877.MERCY.GO
Fax No.: 914.455.3509
Email: admissions@mercy.edu
English Proficiency Test Scores
International applicants need to provide evidence for their proficiency in the English Language Like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, MELAB, etc. Below is the list of English language tests accepted by the university and the minimum scores required:
| Name of test | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | 71 | 80 |
| IELTS | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| PTE | 48 | 53 |
| Duolingo English Test | 100 | 105 |
| EIKEN | Pre-1 | Not Accepted |
| GTEC | 1140 | Not Accepted |
Visa process for international students
- The students will be required to be accepted in the University before they can be given the Form I-20 that can be further used to obtain a visa to study in the USA.
- Before that, students are required to submit the following documents:
- Copy of passport identification page
- Bank Statement (bank statements shall reflect at least 6 months of deposit and be in the name of the individual taking responsibility of the payments)
- Financial Affidavit of Support
- After this, pay your SEVIS Fee. Your SEVIS ID will be printed on I- 20.
- Students are required to bring a copy of their online receipt to their interview as well as when they travel to the U.S.
- Students can apply for an F or J visa and schedule an interview by visiting the U.S. Embassy website for your country of residence.
- Following documents are required for the interview:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Form I-20
- Acceptance Letter
- I-901 receipts
- Proof of funding (updates bank details)
- Proof of return to your home country after the program
- A question to be prepared for: WHY choose Mercy College
- Students are required to keep their passports and I-20 valid at all times.
- It is also required to notify any changes in the study program, such as, completing before the anticipated date, or changing the course.
- Students in need of assistance with questions relating to visas and maintaining a lawful F-1 status must approach the International Programs on campus.
Mercy College Undergraduate Admissions
The University has various undergraduate programs such as Management, Marketing, Finance, Counselling, Legal Studies, Child Education, Psychology, Sociology, etc.
The students applying for such programs are encouraged to take college prep courses in high school.
Admission portal: Common Application or Online application
Application fee: Non-refundable USD 40
Admission requirements:
- Complete application
- Application fee
- Official High School Transcripts
- Relevant Test Scores (SAT, ACT – optional)
- Proof of English Proficiency
Mercy College Graduate Admissions
For your application to be considered, it is essential that all required documents are received by the University. The application process is confidential. The College offers a variety of graduate courses such as Business Administration, Health, Assistant Physician, Computer Science, Counselling, Education, Social Studies, etc. for aspirants seeking to study in the USA
Letters of recommendation play a huge role and can give an applicant a boost in his application even with an average score sheet.
Admission requirements:
- Complete application
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Baccalaureate Transcript(s)
- Relevant Test Scores (SAT, ACT – Optional)
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Resume
Mercy College Program-Specific Requirements
Following are details on some of the programs in this university:
| Specifications | Masters of Business Administration | Masters of Physician Assistant | Masters of Computer Science | M.S. in Counselling | M.S. in Educational Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | USD 40 | USD 40 | USD 40 | USD 40 | USD 40 |
| Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 or higher | 3.0 or higher | Not mentioned | 3.0 GPA | 3.0 GPA |
| GMAT/GRE | Optional | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Essay/Personal Statement | Not required | Required | Not required | Required | Required |
| Work Experience | Not required | Required | Not required | Recommended | Not required |
| Professional CV or Resume | Required | Not required | Not required | Required | Required |
| Letter of Recommendation | Required | Required | Not required | Required | Not required |
| Interview | May be required | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Additional Requirements | Not required | CASPA: 3.2 GPA Pre-requisite courses |
Pre-requisite courses | Baccalaureate degree | Not required |
Mercy College has a unique PACT (Personalized Achievement Contract) program for its freshmen students, where they pair the student with a personal mentor to create a personalised plan for the students. The students are required to apply for admission as early as possible. The University takes into consideration multiple factors such as your curriculum, ranks, GPA, profile, relevant test scores, letters of recommendations, work experiences, extra-curricular activities showing leadership qualities, so on and so forth.
The students applying must make sure that they have the required minimum requirements before applying. Students going for an interview are advised to ask questions, prepare for questions that could be anticipated, wear appropriate clothes, arrive on time or early. Following up with a thank you note via email also leaves a lasting impression.
It is important that you showcase your skills through your personal essay, add any extracurriculars in your resume so as to stand out. Although admission requirements are given, additional non-academic factors make a difference and must be added into your personal statement to have an edge.
FAQs
Ques. Does Mercy College consider 3-year bachelor’s degree graduates as eligible for admission?
Ans. Yes, Mercy College considers 3-year bachelor’s degree holders as eligible for graduate studies. For any further queries about eligibility, students can contact International Admissions.
Ques. Do I need a Foreign Academic Credential Evaluation (FACE) to apply at Mercy College?
Ans. Yes, if a student has completed their education out of the United States, then such evaluation is necessary at Mercy College. However, it will not be required if you have an IB Diploma or Transcript.
Ques. When will I receive my admissions decision from Mercy College?
Ans. Once Mercy College has received all of the documents required to make a well-rounded evaluation, the university generally takes approximately two weeks to notify you with a decision.
Ques. Does Mercy College offer conditional admission or ESL programs?
Ans. The University offers an ESL conditional program through partners such as Manhattan Language and New York Language Center. Once you attain the required English proficiency, you can transfer to Mercy College.
Ques. Is there an application deadline at Mercy College?
Ans. Mercy College has rolling admissions, which means you can send in your application at any time. However, please ensure you give enough times to factors such as evaluation period, enrolment period, visa process, etc. before the upcoming semester commences.
Ques. What is the difference between unofficial and official transcripts at Mercy College?
Ans. Unofficial transcripts at Mercy College are the ones that are uploaded on the application or sent to the university by the student. These can be used for evaluation purposes. Official transcripts are submitted directly to the college by the previous institution.
Ques. What is the minimum GRE Score at Mercy College?
Ans. There is no minimum GRE score provided by Mercy College. The college reviews and evaluates each application on an individual basis and considers various factors. These scores are however valid only for 5 years from the date of examination.
Ques. How to find more information for a specific program?
Ans. There is a Degree & Program section on the College website where students can find all the required information regarding any specific Program.
Ques. What is a test-optional policy?
Ans. If you want your SAT or ACT scores considered in your admission decision, you can denote that on your admission application. Test scores will then become a required item on your admission checklist. Opting not to send test scores will in no way hurt your application or hinder your likelihood to be admitted to Mercy College. They can only enhance your application.
Ques. Do I need to submit the hard copies?
Ans. No, you need to upload all the required documents online on the application portal.
Ques. In what areas does Mercy College offer its programs?
Ans. It offers programs in the areas of Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Social and Behavioural Sciences.
Ques. What are the minimum GPA requirements to be admitted to the college?
Ans. There are no minimum GPA requirements. However, since the admissions are competitive, a GPA above 3.0 is ideal. The average High School GPA is 3.5.
