International Admissions

Students are able to apply at: www.mercy.edu/apply-now

All Applicants: 

Official academic transcripts and/or Foreign Academic Credential Evaluation (FACE)* for all foreign transcripts. Mercy University accepts credential evaluations from NACES or AICE members including IFCS (Discount code: DISNY), Scholaro, The Evaluation Company (TEC), International Education Evaluation (IEE) and WES, or any members of NACES/AICE.  

*Mercy partners with Scholaro and The Evaluation Company (TEC) to offer special evaluation rates to Mercy Applicants. 

*Mercy University also waives the FACE requirement depending upon academic program, please contact Mercy's International Team for details regarding the FACE waiver at global@mercy.edu.

Minimum Required Score for English Language Proficiency

Undergraduate Applicants:

Please note that the Music Production and Recording, Nursing, Pre-Occupational Therapy Assistant and Veterinary Technology programs require supplemental documents.

SAT or ACT: Mercy University is a test-optional institution, with the exception of our traditional Nursing program. We do not require ACT or SAT for international undergraduate students. If you have taken a standardized test, you are welcome to submit your scores for consideration with your application.

Graduate Applicants:

Please send all required admissions documents to:

Mercy University
Student Support Services Center
828 S. Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591
USA

Important: Please submit an online application to Mercy University before sending your admissions documents to the above address.

After the acceptance, the International Student Services Office will contact you within one week of your acceptance to begin the Mercy University I-20 application process. Please see the Getting your I-20 section of the International Students Office website for more information on your I-20 and F-1 student visa, or SEVIS Record transfer.

International applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit a proof of English language proficiency.

Required Minimum English Test Scores for Admission:

English Language Proficiency Requirement Waiver Policy

International applicants are eligible for an English language proficiency requirement waiver under certain conditions, in which case they do not need to submit English language test scores.

An English language proficiency requirement waiver may be granted by demonstrating proof of English proficiency based on one or more of the following requirements:

1. Applicants from the following countries:

2. Applicants who graduated from an American high school in the U.S. or abroad and completed two full years of regular English courses
3. Applicants who received an American GED
4. Applicants who completed 12+ credits at an American college or university in the U.S. or abroad with a cumulative GPA of a 2.0
5. Applicants who have taken an English course at an American college or university with a grade of a "C" or better
6. Applicants who have taken the SAT (although not required for admission) and received a 500 or better on the Critical Reading section
7. Applicants who have completed high schools in countries where the official language is English and the education system is all in English and completed two full years of regular English courses. Please see specific countries listed under number 1 on this Waiver Policy
8.  Applicants who have completed 12+ credits with a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 at colleges or universities in countries where the official language is English and the education system is all in English. Please see specific countries listed under number 1 on this Waiver Policy
9. Applicants who have completed at least 5 passes in GCE/GSCE/IGCSE O Levels or at least 3 passes in GCE/GSCE/IGCSE A Levels education at the secondary level (High School) with a grade of C or better in English language course
10. Applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) English B Standard Level (SL) and received a score of a 4 or better, or have an 80%/B average in English B HL/SL at the time of application
11. Applicants who have taken the AP English Composition and Literature Exam and received a score of 3 or better
12. Applicants who have taken the Cambridge English Exam and received minimum score of a 160 (B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency) for undergraduate programs and 180 (Only C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency) for graduate programs
13. Applicants from Sweden with a grade of “C” ("VG" on the old scale) or above in English
14. Applicants from Norway with Level 4 or above in English
15. Applicants who have completed a professional certificate program at U.S. institution
16. Undergraduate applicants who have received a minimum score of 1,140 on GTEC Exam
17. Graduate applicants who have completed at least two consecutive years of post-secondary full-time study or completed a bachelor's or first master's degree at a U.S. institution
18. Graduate applicants who have completed a degree in a country where English is the primary language and this degree is from an institution where English is the primary medium or instruction
19. Applicants who have successfully completed an equivalent of B2 level on Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) for undergraduate and C1 level on CEFR for graduate programs through an approved English language school.

Mercy College reserves the right request additional documentation to determine a student’s English language proficiency. Although it is rare that we request additional information, in doing so we hope to ensure your success at Mercy College. If you have any questions regarding English language proficiency waiver requirements, please contact International Admissions at global@mercy.edu.

What is a Foreign Academic Credential Evaluation (FACE)?

A foreign academic credential evaluation is a document that equates foreign degrees to American degrees using the American degree using the American grading scale and credit system. Since Mercy University receives applicants from around the world and has a relatively small International Admissions Office, we require or students to have their credentials evaluated for equivalency and authenticity. A credential evaluation will provide an American equivalent of the courses you have taken, your final average and your American degree equivalency. A credential evaluation ensures that your application will be reviewed fairly and under the same academic guidelines as your American peers.

Mercy University also waives the FACE requirement depending upon academic program, please contact Mercy's International Team for details regarding the FACE waiver at global@mercy.edu.

Where can I get an evaluation?

Mercy University accepts evaluations from NACES or AICE members including IFCS (Discount code: DISNY), Scholaro, The Evaluation Company (TEC), International Education Evaluation (IEE) and WES, or any members of NACES/AICE.  

What kind of evaluation do I need and what should I submit to the agency?

Please arrange for the evaluation agency to send the evaluation directly to Mercy University and include copies of the official documents when available.

What is a Verification Pending evaluation?

If you submitted unofficial university transcripts to an evaluations agency, your documents will have to be verified by the evaluations agency for authenticity. This usually means that the evaluations agency will call or email your home institution to verify that you attended the university and the transcript you submitted is authentic. While Mercy University will accept unverified evaluations for an admissions decision, a verified evaluation must be sent to Mercy University by the middle of your fist semester to complete your application file; otherwise you will not be able to register for the next semester's classes. In short, an unverified evaluation is treated the same way an unofficial transcript from a college or university. It is the student's responsibility to contact their evaluation agency to send a verified evaluation to Mercy University by the required date.

Where should I send my transcripts - to Mercy University or to the evaluation agency?

Please have your transcripts sent directly to your evaluation agency. Mercy University does not require a copy of your foreign transcripts if you provide credential evaluations from of of NACES and AICE members. 

Where should I have my evaluation sent?

Please have your evaluation sent to our International Team via email at global@mercy.edu or to the Student Services Support Center:

Mercy University
Student Services Support Center
828 S. Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591
USA

Mercy University considers three-year Bachelor degree holders to be eligible for graduate-level study in some cases. This includes, but is not limited to, applicants from participating European Bologna Process countries and students from India who have completed a Bachelor's degree with Division I from an institution ranked "A" or higher by NAAC. If you have a three-year Bachelor's degree and have questions regarding your eligibility for graduate-level study, please contact International Admissions at global@mercy.edu.

Please note that certain graduate programs such as Public Accounting, Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy and the graduate Education programs have specific pre-requisite and degree requirements that may affect your eligibility. Pre-requisite work as an undergraduate student may be required. Please check your program's website or contact International Admissions if you have any questions.

If your native language is not English and you fall below our TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test score requirement, but you are academically qualified to study for your degree at Mercy University, you are eligible for our conditional admissions program (Bachelor’s degrees only).

Mercy University offers an English as a Second Language (ESL) conditional admissions program through our on-site ESL Program, Oxford International - New York.  

After the successful completion of English as a second Language (ESL) courses at Oxford International - New York, your TOEFL/IELTS requirement will be met. Retaking the TOEFL/IELTS exam is not required.

Conditional Admissions Application Process:

1. Contact Oxford International - New York (nyc@oxfordinternational.com) for information on tuition, registering for classes
2. Accepted into Oxford International - New York then get your acceptance letter and I-20
3. Complete Online Application for Mercy University
4. Send copies of your ESL acceptance letter and I-20 to Mercy’s International Admissions via email (global@mercy.edu)
5. Receive a conditional admissions acceptance letter from Mercy University.
6. Apply F-1 Student Visa
7. Attend and successfully complete the ESL program at Oxford International - New York and submit proof of completion to Mercy University via email (global@mercy.edu). Required a successful completion of B2 or higher level on Common European Framework Reference (CEFR)
8. Receive full acceptance letter from Mercy University
9. Submit documents to obtain Form I-20 to the International Student Services office
10. Transfer SEVIS record from Oxford International - New York to Mercy University
11. Begin your degree program at Mercy University

Mercy University also offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) conditional admissions program through the following approved ESL schools:

• EF - New York (Tarrytown)
• ELS Educational Services
• EC English (Embassy English)
• Kaplan International Centers
• Manhattan Language
• New York Language Center
• Rennert
• Zoni Language Centers

Advantages for Scandinavian Students

Mercy University welcomes Scandinavian students and enjoys the academic and cultural contributions that they make on campus. In an effort to streamline the admissions process, we offer several unique advantages for students from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.

1. Sophomore Status for Undergraduates

• Scandinavian students with an upper-secondary diploma are granted sophomore status, which means that you can complete your degree in three years. Students from Norway are considered eligible for full Lanekassen funding.

2. TOEFL Waiver

• Norway: With a grade of a 4 or higher in your Vitnemal English class, your TOEFL requirement will be waived.
• Sweden: With a grade of a VG ("C" on the new scale) or higher in your Slutbetyg English class, your TOEFL Requirement will be waived.
• Denmark, Finland, Iceland: After the review of your application, you may be eligible for a TOEFL waiver.

3. Foreign Transcripts for Admission

• A foreign academic credential evaluation is not required. Mercy University can make an admissions decision using your official secondary and/or university transcripts.

4. SAT/GRE/GMAT Optional

• Mercy University is SAT/GRE/GMAT optional. We understand that it may be difficult to travel to a testing center and that the exams may only be offered a few times per year. Most importantly, we consider your final average and supplemental documents to be more important than just a single exam.

5. Lanekassen, CSN and Government Funding Friendly

• We are familiar with the requirements of Lanekassen, CSN and other government programs. We provide a custom acceptance letter to make sure you meet the necessary requirements for funding.

Visiting Students

Although we would love for you to complete your entire degree at Mercy University, we also accept visiting students who want to study abroad! Many Scandinavian students complete their Bachelor's degree in their home country but spend their second year abroad in the United States. We can help you register for eligible courses and will give you a custom acceptance letter that states all of your courses so you can easily secure government funding.

Congratulations on your recent acceptance to Mercy University! We are looking forward to meeting you at our International Student Orientation. The next steps to becoming a Mercy University student are: (1) pay your enrollment deposit, (2) obtain your Form I-20 for an F-1 student visa or SEVIS Record Transfer, (3) register for classes, (4) submit immunization records, and (5) submit final official documentation.

Pay Enrollment Deposit

Pay your enrollment deposit ($400.00) from your application portal. The deposit goes toward your tuition payment and is refundable if you apply for your F1 visa and it is denied. If you intend to live on campus, please also place your $100 housing deposit.

Form I-20 and F-1 Student Visa

Please see the Getting your I-20 section of the International Student Services Office website for more information on your I-20 and F-1 student visa, or SEVIS Record transfer.

Registration

Registration for the fall semester usually open in March or April, and registration for the spring semester usually opens in October or November.

Immunization

Students must submit proof of MMR vaccine compliance and submission of completed Meningitis Form by the start of term. Visit our website for additional immunization requirements information. 

Official Final Documentation

During your application process, we received your unofficial scanned documents including transcripts and/or English Language proficiency test scores. To complete your admissions file, you are required to submit official final transcripts and/or test scores as soon as possible.

Final Official documents can be submitted in the following ways: 

1. Via email directly from school(s) and/or test provider(s) to International Admissions (global@mercy.edu). Please have the school staff and/or test provider send it along with the following information:
   1. The email must be sent from an official email
   2. The email must include the person’s job title and contact information
   3. The email must include written confirmation that the transcript and/or test score certificate they are sending is the official version
2. Via mail directly from the school to Mercy at the following address: Mercy University, Student Services Support Center, 828 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
3. Delivered through an official electronic delivery system (Parchment, Clearinghouse, etc.) and with password protection
4. Dropped off at International Admissions Office – Manhattan Campus in a sealed envelope, not opened, sealed by the issuing institution

International Student Fact Sheet

Scandinavian Fact Sheet

2025 - 2026 International Tuition and Fees Payment Guide