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. Evaluations of foreign transcripts are accepted from any NACES or AICE member such as WES, IFCS, Scholaro, or SpanTran.

*Mercy partners with Scholaro and SpanTran 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 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. 

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.

Mercy University operates on a rolling admissions schedule, so we accept your documents at any time. However, we ask that you submit your documents for admission and an I-20 at least 30 days before the start date of your program so you have enough time to get a visa or transfer your SEVIS record from your current US institution. 

You can check the start date of your program on our Academic Calendars page.

International applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS). 

Required Minimum TOEFL, IELTS, and other accepted English Tests Scores for Admission:

TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Policy
International applicants are eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver under certain conditions, in which case they do not need to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores.

A TOEFL/IELTS 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 taken the Pearson Test of English (PTE) and received overall score of a 48 for undergraduate programs and 53 for graduate programs
8. 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
9. Applicants who have taken the AP English Composition and Literature Exam and received a score of 3 or better
10. Applicants from Sweden with a grade of VG ("C" on the new scale) or above in English
11. Applicants from Norway with Level 4 or above in English
12. Applicants who have completed a professional certificate program at U.S. institution
13. Undergraduate applicants who have received a minimum score of 160 on Cambridge English Exam.
14. Graduate applicants who have received a minimum score of 180 on Cambridge English Exam.
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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 University 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 University. If you have any questions regarding the TOEFL/IELTS requirements, please contact International Admissions

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 such as IFCS (Discount code: DISNY), WES, Scholaro (Discount link: Scholaro), SpanTran (Discount link: SpanTran), and IIE (Discount Link: IEE), 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.

*If you have taken a secondary exam such as the GCSE and A-levels, CXC, WAEC or a national secondary exam; please send your scores to the evaluation company.

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.

Where should I have my evaluation sent?

Please have your evaluation sent to our 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.

For additional details please see our Scandinavian Student Fact Sheet. 

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) obtaining your Form I-20 for an F-1 student visa or SEVIS Record Transfer, and (2) registering for classes. 

Form I-20 and F-1 student visa

The International Students 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.

Registration

Registration for the Fall semester usually open in March or April, and registration for the Spring semester usually opens in October or November. Undergraduate students register with the International PACT Office and graduate students register with the International PACT Office and graduates students register with the International Students Office. 

Undergraduate Students 

After you are accepted, Mercy University's International PACT (Personalized Achievement Contract) Counselor will contact you to teach you how to register using our online system platform, Mercy Connect. Your International PACT Counselor will help you create a personalized plan to reach all of your academic, personal and professional goals; and will serve as your mentor for your entire program at Mercy University.

Graduate Students

After you are accepted, Mercy University's International Student Services Office will contact you to teach you how to register using our online system platform, Mercy Connect. The Director of International Students will serve as both your academic and international advisor for the duration of your graduate program.

Learn about Form I-20 & F-1 Student Visa

International Student Fact Sheet

Meningitis Immunization Form

MMR Immunization Record

Residential Life Application Form