International Students

Mount Mercy is a diverse community, welcoming international students from 30+ countries. Small class sizes, personal attention from professors and staff, and our beautiful, safe campus make this an ideal location for international students to achieve success and feel at home.

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Warde Hall overlooking Cedar Rapids
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Application Steps

Applications are open for the 2024-25 academic year! All required documents listed below must be received by August 2024 (fall semester start) or January 2025 (spring semester start).

  • A completed online application and personal statement

  • Official high school transcripts translated into English by a court-certified English Language Translator 

  • Official college and/or foreign university transcripts (for transfer students) translated into English and evaluated by a foreign credit evaluation agency

  • Official scores from a Test of English Language Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, STEP Eiken, Duolingo, ACT or SAT). These scores are required if you're a citizen of a country where English isn't an official language

  • Certification of funding sources (certificate of finance or letter with an affidavit from the bank)

  • A scanned copy of your passport to ensure we have the correct spelling of your name for SEVIS processing (email to admission@mtmercy.edu)

NOTE: Per government policy, international students are unable to attend fully-online university programs in the United States. Unfortunately, we are unable to admit international students to online-only programs.

A Day in the Life of a Mount Mercy International Student (4:28)

Ogi Bozkan
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Picture Yourself at Mount Mercy (3:34)

UC with fall leaves
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Athletics at Mount Mercy (2:37)

Track student-athletes
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Student Life at Mount Mercy (2:07)

 

Glow night event
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Kirkwood Guaranteed Admission

International students with an associate degree from from Kirkwood Community College are guaranteed admission into our traditional undergraduate programs.
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Admission Guidelines

Strong consideration is given to applicants with the following:

  • Incoming first-year students—cumulative grade point average of 2.75

  • Transfer students—cumulative grade point average of 2.50

  • One test score from any of the following:*
    • TOEFL: 550 PBT, 213 CBT, 79 IBT
    • IELTS: 6
    • STEP: Eiken (Grade 1)
    • PTE-Academic: Minimum score of 53 (no subscore below 51 for reading, listening, and speaking)
    • Duolingo: 100 or higher
    • ACT: Composite of 20 with subscores of 17 or higher
    • SAT: 1020 or higher (New SAT's beginning March 1, 2016)

*Test scores are waived for students completing Level 112 of ELS's English for Academic Purposes program or WESLI 700 level courses. English proficiency exam scores are required for students who are a citizen of a country where English isn't an official language.

Students who do not meet the minimum test scores or grade point average can still apply but may be asked to provide additional information for review. Application reviews and decisions will be made by the Admission Committee. If the student is an athlete, they must meet the guidelines set by NAIA to be eligible to play (per NAIA Article V, sections C and C.2.)

Scholarships

  • Available to students in traditional undergraduate programs
  • Must be enrolled full-time to receive the full award
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years

Open to incoming freshmen and transfer students.

  • Awarded to entering full-time students academically eligible to compete in NAIA athletic events
  • Coaches of each sport with work with the athletic director and Student Financial Services Office to award the scholarship
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years

Note: Students may only receive one athletic, creative talent, music, or sustainability scholarship in addition to their MMU academic award 

Open to incoming freshmen and transfer students.

  • Scholarships in the areas of art & design, music, writing, and sustainability
  • Open to all majors
  • $2,000 available for full-time transfer students
  • $3,000 available for incoming full-time freshmen
  • Auditions and interviews available individually and online
  • Students may only receive one athletic, creative talent, music, or sustainability scholarship in addition to their MMU academic award  
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years
  • Learn more about the scholarships and submit your portfolio or writings

Note: Students may only receive one athletic, creative talent, music, or sustainability scholarship in addition to their MMU academic award 

 

International Baccalaureate and A Levels

Mount Mercy offers credit for International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge AS and A level exams, Advanced Placement (AP), and College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Information about other these credit earning alternatives can be found at in the Mount Mercy Catalog or the Registrar's Office at registrar@mtmercy.edu.

Join our welcoming, supportive community.

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