International Admissions
Live and study in New York, take your career anywhere. Mercy University will give you the tools and support you need to succeed in a competitive world.
International Students
Mercy University will help position you for success with access to all New York City has to offer. The University is located on three campuses in the New York City area – Manhattan, Westchester, and Bronx!
At Mercy you will be joining a community of students from around the US and the world who study, learn and have fun together. Countries represented on campus include: Norway, Spain, Sweden, Japan, China, Korea, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil and many more.
To get in touch with International Admissions team, please email us at global@mercy.edu.
Applying to Mercy University
Mercy University operates on a rolling admissions schedule, so we accept your documents at any time. However, for all initial F1 applicants, we ask that you submit your documents for admissions and I-20 at least 60 days before the start date of your intended term so you have enough time to get a visa. For applicants with F1 transfer within the U.S. we ask to submit your documents for admissions and I-20 at least 30 days before the start date of your intended term to transfer your SEVIS record from your current U.S. institution.
You can check the start date of your program on our Academic Calendars page.
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 The Evaluation Company (TEC).
Freshman | Course-by-Course Evaluation of foreign high school transcripts |
Transfer | Course-by-Course Evaluation of foreign college transcripts, and, General Evaluation with GPA for foreign high school transcripts |
Graduate | Course-by-Course Evaluation of foreign college transcripts |
*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 | Graduate | |
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TOEFL | 71 | 80 |
IELTS | 6.0 | 6.5 |
Duolingo English Test (DET) | 105 | 110 |
PTE | 48 | 53 |
EIKEN | Pre-1 | Not Accepted |
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:
MBA |
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M.S. in Business Analytics (STEM) |
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M.S. in Public Accounting |
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M.S. in Computer Science (STEM) |
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M.S. in Cybersecurity (STEM) |
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M.S./M.P.A. in Health Services Management |
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M.S. in Psychology |
Please address the following: Describe your interest in studying Psychology as a discipline, Describe why you are pursuing a Masters in Psychology, Explain why you have chosen Mercy University to pursue this degree, and Discuss how you plan to use your Master’s degree in Psychology to meet your personal career goals Statement format: Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 2 pages (minimum) to 3 pages (maximum), and Double-spaced |
M.S. in Mental Health Counseling M.S. in Counseling: School Counseling |
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M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy |
The essay should detail: Why the applicant wants to be in the MFT program, What personal and professional attributes the applicant brings to this endeavor, and The applicant’s career goals This essay should reflect the applicant’s knowledge of what the field of MFT involves, include specific ideas and demonstrate the good writing skills required in graduate school. |
M.S. in Educational Studies |
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For all other graduate programs |
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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.
Admission Requirements
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:
Undergraduate | Graduate | |
---|---|---|
TOEFL | 71 | 80 |
IELTS | 6.0 | 6.5 |
Duolingo English Test (DET) | 105 | 110 |
PTE | 48 | 53 |
EIKEN | Pre-1 | Not Accepted |
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:
- Applicants from the following countries:
American Samoa | Anguilla | Antigua |
Australia | Bahamas | Barbados |
Belize | Bermuda | Botswana |
British Virgin Islands | Canada | Dominica |
Gambia | Ghana | Grand Cayman |
Grenada | Guyana | Ireland |
Jamaica | Kenya | Lesotho |
Liberia | Malawi | New Zealand |
Nigeria | Northern Marianas | Paula |
Papua New Guinea | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
Scotland | Sierra Leone | St. Lucia |
Singapore | South Africa | Swaziland |
Tanzania | Trinidad/Tobago | Turks and Caicos Islands |
Uganda | United Kingdom | U.S. Pacific Trust |
Virgin Island | Wales | Zambia |
Zimbabwe |
- Applicants who graduated from an American high school in the U.S. or abroad and completed two full years of regular English courses
- Applicants who received an American GED
- 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
- Applicants who have taken an English course at an American college or university with a grade of a "C" or better
- Applicants who have taken the SAT (although not required for admission) and received a 500 or better on the Critical Reading section
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Applicants who have taken the AP English Composition and Literature Exam and received a score of 3 or better
- 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
- Applicants from Sweden with a grade of “C” ("VG" on the old scale) or above in English
- Applicants from Norway with Level 4 or above in English
- Applicants who have completed a professional certificate program at U.S. institution
- Undergraduate applicants who have received a minimum score of 1,140 on GTEC Exam
- 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
- 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
- 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?
Freshman | Course-by-Course Evaluation of foreign high school transcripts* |
Transfer | Course-by-Course Evaluation of foreign college transcripts and General Evaluation with GPA for foreign high school transcripts. |
Graduate | Course-by-Course Evaluation of foreign college transcripts |
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:
- Contact Oxford International - New York (nyc@oxfordinternational.com) for information on tuition, registering for classes
- Accepted into Oxford International - New York then get your acceptance letter and I-20
- Complete Online Application for Mercy University
- Send copies of your ESL acceptance letter and I-20 to Mercy’s International Admissions via email (global@mercy.edu)
- Receive a conditional admissions acceptance letter from Mercy University.
- Apply F-1 Student Visa
- 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)
- Receive full acceptance letter from Mercy University
- Submit documents to obtain Form I-20 to the International Student Services office
- Transfer SEVIS record from Oxford International - New York to Mercy University
- 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:
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
To complete admissions file, all admitted students are required to submit official final transcripts and/or test scores upon arrival on campus.
Official transcripts and/or test scores can be submitted in the following ways:
- 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:
- The email must be sent from an official email
- The email must include the person’s job title and contact information
- The email must include written confirmation that the transcript and/or test score certificate they are sending is the official version
- 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
- Delivered through an official electronic delivery system (Parchment, Clearinghouse, etc.) and with password protection
- Dropped off at International Admissions Office – Manhattan Campus in a sealed envelope, not opened, sealed by the issuing institution
Get On A Path To Success
Applying to Mercy University's Pathway Program
In partnership with Oxford International Mercy University is working hard to make access to international study easier for students. Our University Pathway program is designed for students who need a little extra support as they start their college journey in the US.
Students in the Undergraduate and Graduate pathway program become part of a highly supportive international community at Mercy's Manhattan Campus, with specialized courses designed to improve English language skills and build a strong foundation of college level skills.
At Mercy our goal is to make sure that every student has the tools they need to succeed in college and beyond.
To learn more about the pathway program option or apply visit our website today!