Consistent with our mission and values, Mercyhurst University takes a holistic approach when reviewing applicants and making admissions decisions. We evaluate applicants in terms of their academic abilities and potential, leadership and extracurricular involvement, and the potential contributions they might make as members of our campus community. We strongly recommend that applicants meet with their admissions counselor, either through a campus visit, a high school visit or a conversation by phone.

Mercyhurst University does not charge an application fee.

COVID-19 Update: Greater Flexibility When Applying

The evolving situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic poses a host of challenges to our communities and our families. At Mercyhurst, we recognize the unprecedented difficulties of this moment and the need for flexibility in our application procedures. As high schools across the country engage in remote learning, and in-person standardized testing is limited, you might have difficulty completing certain application requirements. To facilitate your Mercyhurst application, and help you along in the admissions process, we are implementing a few adjustments in our procedures:

• You can now complete your high school transcript requirement by taking a photo or image of your high school grades on your school’s online grading platform or student information system, and uploading it using our Transcript Upload tool.
• In light of the cancellation of upcoming standardized testing dates, all students may choose to apply test optional and not submit standardized test (SAT or ACT) scores with their applications. To apply for test-optional consideration, complete the Request for Test-Optional Consideration form in your Admissions Portal.

Test-Optional Admissions

We do not require the SAT or ACT for admissions, though students who believe that their SAT or ACT scores represent a positive component of their admissions portfolio are invited to submit their official test scores. To send your scores directly to Mercyhurst University, use SAT Code 2410 or ACT Code 3629.  

Students who are required to submit SAT or ACT scores include student-athletes and homeschooled students. In addition, students seeking admission to colleges or universities with whom Mercyhurst University has affiliation agreements may also be required to submit their scores to the affiliated institutions. To apply for test-optional consideration, complete the Request for Test-Optional Consideration form in your Admissions Portal.

Holistic Review

Mercyhurst University evaluates applicants in terms of their academic abilities, leadership and extracurricular involvement, and the potential contributions they might make as members of our campus community. Generally, students who are performing better than average within their high school are considered for admission. The median SAT score for last year’s accepted students was 1050.

In addition to considering your academic and personal credentials, we also consider your application in the context of your life circumstances by considering the availability of resources in your high school and the strength of its curriculum, your unique family and economic circumstances. We do this to ensure applicants are not unfairly penalized if they did not have sufficient access to college-application resources and services.

Generally, we look for students who took a college preparatory curriculum in high school:

• 4 units of English
• 5 units of social studies
• 3 units of mathematics
• 2 units of science (with corresponding labs)
• 2 units of foreign language

Supplemental Review

Some applicants are chosen for supplemental review. In some cases, your admissions counselor believes that his or her admissions and financial aid decisions would be better informed with additional information. In other cases, we randomly select students for supplemental review as part of our assessment and continuous improvement practices. If you are selected for supplemental review, there is no need to worry; it is not a reflection of your admissibility. Supplemental review applicants are generally admitted at the same rate as traditional applications.  

If you’re selected for supplemental review, your admissions counselor may request: 1) an on-campus or phone interview to learn more about you, 2) completion of a supplemental questionnaire, or 3) a graded writing assignment you completed as part of your high school curriculum (the paper must be analytical/critical in nature and demonstrate your ability to integrate and communicate complex ideas; your arguments must be well-supported).

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Policy

Earned from high school prior to entering Mercyhurst, for course equivalency to be awarded, students must earn a score of 4 or above on the AP exam. Official scores from the College Board can be sent to the Office of Admissions prior to enrolling, or to the Registrar's Office if a student is already enrolled.