Admissions FAQs
You have questions. We have answers. Below, find Frequently Asked Questions on everything from what programs we offer to what it’s like to live on campus.
Interested in our Online/Accelerated programs? See below!
See FAQs for parents
See FAQs for high school counselors
FAQs for Undergraduate Students
Why GMercyU?
Great question!
There are many things that make GMercyU stand out, but here are the top three students mention the most:
3. The Griffin Edge: The ability to take charge of your education, apply the skills you're learning in class to the real world, and really stand out when you graduate is all part of a program we call The Griffin Edge.
2. Mercy: Our Mercy mission and core values are part of your everyday experience here. It starts as a feeling of friendliness and welcome and grows into a deep sense of being accepted — and appreciated — for who you are. By the time you graduate, it's a lasting commitment to opening your mind and your heart in a way that helps you make a real difference, for yourself and for others.
1. Belonging: The number 1 thing students mention is the exceptional level of support and attention they enjoy as students. Faculty and staff genuinely care about who you are, what you need, and where you want to go in life. And there are so many opportunities to find your place among the amazing group of students who call GMercyU home.
As a Catholic University where the majority of students don't identify as Catholic, we get that question a lot. The answer is yes!
Students from many different backgrounds call GMercyU home.
- More than half our students are the first in their family to go to college
- Less than half our students identify as Catholic
- About a third of our student body is racially and ethnically diverse
- About a third of our students have high financial need
- Hundreds of students rely on the support offered through our Counseling center every year
- Hundreds of students take advantage of our unlimited tutoring and/or access to accessibility services
Yes! We are often asked if the friendliness people experience during a campus visit is for real. It is. It’s one of the things that makes GMercyU so special.
Academics
We offer more than 40 different degree programs in a wide variety of areas at the undergraduate level. You also can choose from a wide array of undergraduate minors, and take advantage of the many internships and other hands-on learning experiences available at GMercyU.
Want to know more? Our Programs page includes a list of all programs.
If research is your thing, you may even get to present your research findings at a regional or national professional conference.
Our Alternative Break service experiences provide yet another way for you to use your skills to make a real difference in the lives of others, while also expanding your world view and building your resume. It’s definitely worth doing.
Opportunities to learn outside the classroom are only limited by your own imagination and determination!
Learn more on our Study Abroad page.
Ah, that’s one of the best parts of choosing GMercyU! Our classes are small, so you have plenty of opportunities to really get to know your professors and fellow classmates.
Our student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. That means, most of your classes will have fewer than 20 students, and you won’t ever find yourself in a class with hundreds of other students, a fairly common experience at much larger schools.
Admissions and Aid
Ready to apply? Fill out your online undergraduate admissions application now!
Yes! In fact, 100% of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid (excludes second degrees). From generous merit scholarships to need-based grants and loans, we’re committed to helping make a great education affordable. Find more information on GMercyU scholarships and grants here, and how to apply for financial aid here.
You also can speak to someone in our Admissions Office or Financial Aid Office if you have additional questions.
Find easy steps on our How to Apply for Financial Aid page.
For access to the needed financial aid forms, please visit our financial aid Applications and Forms page.
GMercyU’s federal code is 003270.
A full breakdown of costs is available on our Financial Aid & Tuition page. Check it out!
GMercyU is proud to partner with GradGuard to offer students tuition insurance. This optional benefit can protect your investment in higher education in the event of an unforeseen, covered illness, injury, or other covered reason resulting in a withdrawal from school. Covered reasons for withdrawal can include:
- Covered serious injury or illness such as mononucleosis, COVID-19, or a severe head injury.
- Chronic illnesses such as an auto-immune disorder or diabetes.
- Mental health conditions such as stress, depression, or severe anxiety.
The Tuition Insurance Plan complements our refund policy and can provide reimbursement for eligible tuition payments, room and board, and other nonrefundable expenses if you withdraw for a covered illness or injury at any time during the plan period.
Tuition insurance must be purchased before the first day of classes and is offered as a voluntary benefit to our families, your participation is not required but highly recommended. The school is not compensated for this program. Learn more by calling GradGuard at 877-794-6603 or visiting www.gradguard.com/tuition.
Terms, conditions, and exclusions (including for pre-existing conditions) apply. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Recommended and provided by GradGuard, a service of Next Generation Insurance Group, LLC (NGI), the licensed agent for all insurance programs. Insurance plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Pricing may vary by state. Insurance benefits are underwritten by Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233) rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co. A+ (Superior) is the 2nd highest of A.M. Best’s 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Non-insurance benefits/services are provided by AGA Service Company. Claims are administered by Allianz Global Assistance (AGA). AGA and Allianz Tuition Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. AGA Service Company is an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Except as expressly provided for under the plan, consumer is responsible for charges incurred from outside vendors. Contact AGA Service Company at 888-427-5045 or 9950 Mayland Dr., Richmond, VA 23233 or tuition@allianzassistance.com.
Tuition deposits are $200 ($500 for Weekend Nursing program) and are non-refundable and applied toward tuition.
Housing deposits are $200 and refunds are available on the following schedule: Before 5/1 - 100% refundable; 5/1-5/31 - $150 refundable; 6/1-6/30 - $50 refundable; after 7/1 - $0 refundable.
To learn more about transferring to Gwynedd Mercy University, visit our Transfer Admissions page.
You can also reach out to Transfer Admission Counselors here.
Yes! GMercyU welcomes undergraduate applications from undocumented or DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students. While undocumented and DACA students do not qualify for federal or state financial aid, you may be eligible for some GMercyU scholarships or grants.
We strongly recommend that undocumented or DACA students contact us at the start of your undergraduate admissions and financial aid process. Please contact Aimee Huffstetler, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment, at huffstetler.a@joe-yan.net.
If you have general questions about how GMercyU can support you as an undocumented or DACA student, please contact Tatiana Diaz, Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, at diaz.t@joe-yan.net.
Campus Life
There's a lot to do in the summer before your first year of college. Aside from the packing, form completion and purchasing of Twin XL sheets, you'll want to spend time with your friends and family and learn how to do things you may have never done, like laundry!
In order to receive a GMercyU email address, you'll need to register for at least one class. Your GMercyU email is the primary way the University will communicate with you, so make sure you enroll in classes as soon as possible, so you can get your official GMercyU email address before your first class begins.
In a word: Fantastic! Our students hail from cities and towns that range from 15 minutes to 7,000 miles away. Some play sports, while others focus on building their skills by participating in the business, psychology or Best Buddies clubs. Many students participate in more than one club or organization, and even more than that take advantage of the extensive number of campus activities and events held throughout the year. And then there’s service. Service is a big part of the GMercyU experience, and students and staff alike give of their time and expertise to those who need it most.
You can learn more about our students by checking out our Griffin Success Stories!
Aside from what our students DO, it’s important to consider who they ARE. They are people who care about making a difference – in their lives and in the lives of others. But, don’t take our word for it.
Today, we are more committed than ever to advancing DEI in our culture, curriculum, and community.
See our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion page for related services, initiatives, and policies, and explore our DEI Strategic Plan to learn about our four goals for creating a more equitable, inclusive campus culture — and our means for holding ourselves accountable to those goals.
Did you know that studies show that students who live on campus often maintain higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate within four years? Living on campus also provides more opportunities to take an active role in student life, including joining our Residence Life team!
Our motto: Live Here. Play Here. Succeed Here.
Want to know more? Take a closer look at our Residence Halls page, where you can check out photos of our newly renovated residence hall for first-year students!
If you already have a roommate in mind, there’s a place for you to include that person’s name on the form. And don’t worry! Most roommate matches turn out just fine, but if you are not happy, your resident assistant will be there to help.
Ready to get started? Fill out your New Student Housing Application today!
When you want a change of scene, dozens of local restaurants are within minutes of campus, and the incredible Philadelphia food scene is just 30 minutes away.
To learn more about dining options, visit our Dining Services page.
Want to take a closer look? Schedule a campus visit or take a virtual tour now!
Of course! All you will need is a parking permit, which costs $85 for resident students and $55 for commuters.
Mmmm, where to begin… There are so many choices, it’s hard to know where to start. In addition to dozens of organized clubs and many, many planned activities, there are plenty of open spaces where you can hang out with friends, play a pickup game of basketball, or take a nap under a beautiful tree.
If exercise is your thing, you can use the cardio equipment, lift weights, and play basketball and racquetball in the Griffin Complex, or take a long run around the tree-lined campus. Tennis courts? Yup, we’ve got those too. Intramural sports? You bet! Our intramural champions have the opportunity to play the winning intramural team from another college.
And the sights and sounds of one of the greatest cities in the world are just 30 minutes away! Once in Philly, you can see a concert, take in a ball game, explore a museum, go shopping, and sample some of the best food in the Northeast.
We have multiple emergency call stations throughout campus, will provide an escort across campus to anyone who wants it, and have an emergency messaging system in place to alert students, faculty and staff of weather-related closing and other emergency-related situations on campus via voicemail, email and text message.
Entry to the residence halls is granted only via an ID swipe card. We also encourage all students, faculty, and staff to contact our Office of Public Safety if they see or hear something that may require attention.
Students, faculty, and staff are also alerted to campus closings and emergency situations via our emergency alert system, Omnilert, which sends time-sensitive messaging to mobile phones and email addresses. Make sure your cell phone number is up to date in the system, so you'll get emergency messages as quickly as possible.
As a whole, The Mercy Center offers a meaningful sense of community and support to all students, whether you're connected to a specific religion or not. If you enjoy giving back, service is a big part of what they do. Learn more here.
Want to know more? Our Programs page includes a list of all programs.
Both! We offer programs that are 100% online, as well as programs that you can take on-ground. The length of your courses will be the same regardless of what format you choose.
The online format gives you the freedom to complete your coursework at a time and place that’s convenient for you, while the on-ground format offers regular face-to-face interaction with faculty and students.
To find out the length of your program, visit the Programs page and choose the program that interests you.
As an online student, you will have access to all of the same resources as our on-ground students. Students have access to Keiss Library, the Career Development Center, and our Student Success Center.
The online format operates under an asynchronous learning format, so the coursework is done at your own pace within the parameters of assignment deadlines.
Admissions and Aid
GMercyU is proud to partner with GradGuard to offer students tuition insurance. This optional benefit can protect your investment in higher education in the event of an unforeseen, covered illness, injury, or other covered reason resulting in a withdrawal from school. Covered reasons for withdrawal can include:
- Covered serious injury or illness such as mononucleosis, COVID-19, or a severe head injury.
- Chronic illnesses such as an auto-immune disorder or diabetes.
- Mental health conditions such as stress, depression, or severe anxiety.
The Tuition Insurance Plan complements our refund policy and can provide reimbursement for eligible tuition payments, room and board, and other nonrefundable expenses if you withdraw for a covered illness or injury at any time during the plan period.
Tuition insurance must be purchased before the first day of classes and is offered as a voluntary benefit to our families, your participation is not required but highly recommended. The school is not compensated for this program. Learn more by calling GradGuard at 877-794-6603 or visiting www.gradguard.com/tuition.
Terms, conditions, and exclusions (including for pre-existing conditions) apply. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Recommended and provided by GradGuard, a service of Next Generation Insurance Group, LLC (NGI), the licensed agent for all insurance programs. Insurance plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Pricing may vary by state. Insurance benefits are underwritten by Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233) rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co. A+ (Superior) is the 2nd highest of A.M. Best’s 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Non-insurance benefits/services are provided by AGA Service Company. Claims are administered by Allianz Global Assistance (AGA). AGA and Allianz Tuition Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. AGA Service Company is an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Except as expressly provided for under the plan, consumer is responsible for charges incurred from outside vendors. Contact AGA Service Company at 888-427-5045 or 9950 Mayland Dr., Richmond, VA 23233 or tuition@allianzassistance.com.
Yes! More information on available financial aid options is just a click away.
You also can speak to someone in our Admissions Office or Financial Aid Office if you have additional questions.
For access to the needed financial aid forms, please visit our Applications and Forms page.
GMercyU’s federal code is 003270.
Visit the Programs page to learn more about the number of transfer credits accepted for your preferred program.