Transfer

Transfer Admissions Process and Requirements

A transfer applicant is considered to be anyone who has obtained a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and who has attempted college course work beyond high school. Credits earned at fully accredited institutions of higher education are evaluated and accepted as credit toward graduation from Mount Mercy. However, some majors require a minimum grade point average higher than for general admission and course work is evaluated according to departmental requirements. Please consult individual department information included in this Catalog for further explanation.

Applications are found online at www.mtmercy.edu and are reviewed on a rolling admission basis prior to the first day of classes. Students applying for admission must submit the following in order to be considered and must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the start of classes:

• Application for undergraduate admission
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
   
• Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher education attended. Updated transcripts noting final grades need to be sent prior to actual enrollment if the student applies while currently enrolled at another institution
• Official high school transcripts or equivalent (for applicants who have not earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university)

In accordance with articulation agreements with all Iowa community colleges, associate degree holders with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 will be automatically accepted for admission. Students graduating with an A.A.S. in Business Administration from Kirkwood with a minimum 2.0 GPA are also automatically accepted for admission.

Mount Mercy reviews all files on an individual basis*. While specific courses are not required for admission, transcripts will be evaluated to ensure that a strong college curriculum has been successfully completed. Students who do not meet the published standards are still welcome to apply for admission consideration.  

*A variety of additional factors may also be considered when reviewing the application (the quality and nature of the courses taken, strength of the personal statement, intended major, student motivation, personal circumstances, etc.).

Admissions Committee

The Admissions Committee will review all admission files for students who do not meet the minimum admissions standards. Students who demonstrate strong potential and motivation for undergraduate success may be admitted to Mount Mercy by providing additional information to the Admissions Committee for use in the evaluation process. (Could include but are not limited to: most recent transcripts of college-level work, personal statement, letters of recommendation, personal interview, etc.). Some students may be admitted to Mount Mercy with conditions, which must be satisfied during their first year at the institution in order to remain an enrolled student at Mount Mercy. Conditions and specific recommendations will be determined on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee.

Offer and Acceptance of Admission

An offer of admission to Mount Mercy is contingent upon the student maintaining a satisfactory record and completing class requirements prior to entering (official transcript to be sent upon completion of the semester). Mount Mercy reserves the right to withdraw its offer of admission when information is received that indicates the student no longer meets the minimum admission standards.

A $200 deposit will be required to confirm attendance at Mount Mercy.  This must be received prior to a student registering for orientation. The deposit is used to reserve the student’s place at course registration and will be credited toward the student’s tuition.

Residency Requirements

Students attending Mount Mercy University are expected to live on campus for their first six semesters of full-time university attendance.  Transfer students are automatically waived from this requirement IF they are applying as a transfer student and turn 21 years of age by July 1 prior to the enrolling term. 

Other students can apply for an exemption from this requirement if they:

• are living with parents within a 30-mile radius of campus
• are classified with “independent” status with regard to federal financial aid regulations
• have lived independently for one year prior to enrolling

An exemption request must be filed with the institution, and approved, in order for the exemption to be made.