First Year Student

First-Year (Freshman) Admission Process and Requirements

A First-Year (Freshman) applicant is considered to be anyone who has yet to graduate from high school, homeschool, or its equivalent.  Applications may be obtained online at www.mtmercy.edu. Mount Mercy is a test-optional institution which means students are not required to submit standardized test scores in order to be considered for admission (but can submit scores if they feel it will strengthen their application to the institution).  Admissions files are reviewed on a rolling basis.  Students applying for admission must submit the following  at least two weeks prior to the start of classes in order to be considered:

• Application for undergraduate admission
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• Class rank in the top half of graduating class (if school provides rank)

Mount Mercy evaluates all files on an individual basis. Each entering student needs to be a graduate of an accredited high school or its equivalent.  Since the application is a self-reporting application, official transcripts (high school and college, if applicable) are not required for initial review but will be required for verification before a student can enroll. Students applying to Mount Mercy are strongly encouraged to complete the following coursework in high school to best prepare them for college coursework:

• Four years of English/Language Arts
• Three years of Mathematics
• Three years of Social Studies
• Three years of Science

Students who do not meet the published standards are still welcome to apply for admission consideration and may be asked to submit additional information for review.  

Admissions Committee

The Admissions Committee will review all admission files for students who do not meet the minimum published 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 review process. (Could include but not limited to: most recent transcripts, 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 University is contingent upon the student maintaining a satisfactory record and completing graduation requirements – as noted on the final high school transcript (official transcript to be sent upon completion of the diploma). Mount Mercy reserves the right to withdraw its offer of admission when information received after the original admission decision 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 attending registration.  The deposit is credited toward the student’s tuition.