Main Campus Admission

Application Procedures

The Mount seeks students who can benefit from our academic program and contribute positively to our community. Candidates for freshman admission to the University should have followed a four-year college preparatory course of study, including the specific coursework listed below, and be students of good character.

All offers of acceptance are conditional, and are subject to review.  An offer may be rescinded based on conduct or academic achievement inconsistent with the original application.  A criminal history is not disqualifying for admissions to the University.  Before enrolling in classes at Mount St. Mary’s University on a full-time basis, a student must provide proof of high school graduation and a final high school transcript.

The University will also consider students who have completed a recognized equivalent in place of a high school diploma, as well as students who are beyond the age of compulsory attendance.  Appropriate documentation of academic history must be provided.

Regular Freshman Admission

Students seeking regular freshman admission should submit their application to the University as early as possible in the senior year, but no later than March 1. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applications received after March 1 will be considered on a space-available basis. However, students whose files remain incomplete after due dates for credentials submission have passed will be withdrawn from admissions consideration.

In order to be considered for admission, we require that students submit a completed online application. We also request the following additional pieces as part of a student’s application package:

A $45 application fee: If the application fee is a financial hardship, requests for a fee waiver should come through the school counselor and preferably on College Board’s Fee Waiver Request Form.

An official high school transcript(s) should be sent directly from your high school to the Admissions office. Your high school may send it electronically through an official transcript sending service.

We recommend that students complete a minimum of 4 years of English, 3 years each of mathematics and science, 2 years of one foreign language, and 3 years of social studies/history.

Standardized Test Scores: We request that the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the American College Testing program (ACT) be sent to the Admissions Office. Either direct results from the testing agency or results included on official school transcripts are acceptable. The University’s SAT code is 5421, and its ACT number is 1726.

Recommendations: A recommendation from a teacher or a student’s guidance counselor should also be submitted directly to the Mount.

The Admissions Committee utilizes the following criteria in making admission decisions:

Academic record (includes strength of applicant’s high school curriculum and academic achievement over the four years of high school)

Test scores from the SAT (Math and Reading sections only) and/or the ACT

High school counselor or teacher recommendation

Extracurricular activities (quality, leadership, and distinctive participation)

Personal statement or essay (optional)

Early Action Freshman Admission

Students who have identified Mount St. Mary’s as one of their top choices may choose to apply for admission under the Early Action Program. These students must submit all the application materials, including high school transcript through the junior year and SAT results, by November 1 of the student’s senior year. The Admissions Committee will evaluate the application and inform the student of its decision no later than December 25.

Note that this early notification plan is nonbinding and, for those offered admission, does not require a response before the standard candidates’ reply date of May 1. Since we are typically reviewing Early Action candidates without the grades of the senior year, this program is recommended for candidates with stronger academic credentials. Those not offered admission in this early period will receive full consideration later in the regular admission notification period.

If you wish to apply for financial assistance, see “Financial Aid Application Procedures ”

Campus Visits

We strongly encourage prospective students to visit the Mount campus. While we welcome visitors throughout the year, we recommend that students visit when the University is in session. We are happy to arrange a campus tour, which are led by current Mount students, as well as coordinate individual appointments for meetings with faculty, coaches, or other administrative offices such as Financial Aid, Accounting & Finance, and the Registrar’s Office as well.

Please go to www.msmary.edu/visit or call the Admissions Office at 800-448-4347 to make arrangements for your visit. While a personal interview is not a required part of the admission process, it can be helpful in providing us a more complete and personal understanding of you as an individual.

Advanced Placement

For those who have taken Advanced Placement Tests through College Board, the University will grant appropriate credit; course waivers and credit are determined by the test grade and existing University policy. These credits may apply to major, minor, elective or some of the core curriculum requirements and will be recorded on the University transcript with a grade of Pass (P) when the official report is received from College Board. Generally, AP grades of three or better will receive University course credit. The AP credit policy is listed below.

*Students who receive a score of 5 may opt to continue the study of the language at the 300 level and be eligible for six additional credits of prior learning.

International Baccalaureate

To students who have achieved scores of 4 or higher, Mount St. Mary’s awards credit for higher level exams only. Actual distribution of credit will be determined on a case by case basis.

Dual/Concurrent Enrollment

Students who are taking college courses while concurrently enrolled in high school will be granted appropriate credit. These credits may apply to major, minor, elective or core curriculum requirements and will be recorded on the University transcript with a grade of Pass (P) when the official transcript is received directly from the institution granting the grade/credit. Regardless of the number of college credits earned while a high school student a student will still be considered for freshman admission.

Transfer Students

Each year, 75 to 100 students transfer to Mount St. Mary’s, from either a two or four year institution. Transfer students are considered for admission in either the fall or spring semesters. Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing, and be eligible to return to the institution from which the student is transferring. Generally, transfers are required to have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Students who wish to transfer need to keep in mind that at least half of the credits in the major and minor fields and certain core curriculum courses should be taken at the Mount. (In any case, a minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed at Mount St. Mary’s as a graduation requirement.) No more than 75 credit hours will be accepted for transfer.

The University tries to be flexible with respect to core curricular requirements for transfer students. Courses from the students’ previous institutions may fulfill many of the University’s core requirements.

Transfer students will receive a preliminary evaluation of their remaining core and major requirements. All traditional academic courses from accredited institutions are eligible for transfer; no remedial or developmental courses will be considered. Only grades of C (2.0) or higher will be accepted for transfer; all courses transferred are listed on the transcript with a grade of Pass (P) and are not counted in the cumulative average.

Transfer students should submit all application materials by June 1 for fall entrance or by December 1 for spring entrance. An application for transfer admission should include:

A completed transfer application, along with the $45 application fee.

A final official copy of your secondary-school transcript. (This is typically waived for those who have been out of high school 10 or more years.)

Official transcripts are required from each post-secondary institution.

At least one letter of recommendation from a professor who has taught you in an academic course; if not, then at least one personal recommendation (an employer, for example).

The Admissions Office will normally notify transfer applicants of its decision within two weeks of the completion of the application. Students will also be notified of any possible scholarships with a letter of acceptance. Transfer applications received after the deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

International Students

Mount St. Mary’s seeks and encourages the cultural diversity that international students bring to the campus. Each year we enroll a number of international students, and approximately one dozen different countries are represented in the student body.

International students normally apply as freshmen and should meet the March 1 application deadline for fall entrance.

International applicants should submit the completed freshman application form, along with the $45 application fee, as well as official transcripts first submitted to the World Education Services Credential Evaluations (www.wes.org/application/index.asp) so that we can best assess your candidacy.

International students for whom English is not the native language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test, 83 on the internet-based test, or 80 on the computer-based test is necessary to be considered for admission.

Once offered admission, international students who will enroll must provide:

• A certified bank statement or affidavit of support documenting that adequate funds are available to pay the full educational and living expenses in the United States for each year of enrollment. Limited academic scholarships, ranging in amount up to but not more than about one-third of the total budget of educational and living costs, may be available to international applicants with especially strong academic credentials and TOEFL and SAT results.
• A Mount St. Mary’s medical form, indicating completion of the required United States immunizations, as well as immunizations required by the native country.

See the Registrar’s webpage for more information on requirements for international students: www.msmary.edu/academics/registrar/student-visas.html

Veterans and Military Personnel

Mount St. Mary’s is authorized by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to accept for full-time or part-time study veterans who have met the admissions standards of the University.

Veterans are required to abide by the regulations of the Department of Veteran Affairs as well as those of the University. VAR 14236 requires institutions to determine academic need prior to veteran certification in tutorial programs.

The University Registrar serves as the VA-certifying official. Newly enrolled students who are eligible to receive veteran benefits should contact the University Registrar at the outset of their studies.

Mount St. Mary’s University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program. For information, contact the University Registrar at 301-447-5215 or registrar@msmary.edu.

Mount St. Mary’s adopts and supports the Principles of Excellence for service members, veterans, spouses, and family members. This covers key areas relating to federal military and veteran educational benefits programs.

Residency Age Policy

Students who are 16 years of age or younger or who are 23 years of age or older at the time they will be living on campus must request permission in writing to reside on campus. Additionally, students under the age of 18 years of age require parental consent to reside on campus. These requests must be submitted to the Dean of Students or designee in writing and will be handled on a case by case basis. Mount St. Mary’s University requires this formal request to advise appropriate housing placement for individuals meeting the criteria described above. Students permitted to reside on campus who are 16 years of age or younger or 23 years of age or older may be subject to semester reviews where residential eligibility is examined, and Mount St. Mary’s University reserves the right to make housing decisions based on individual circumstances.