Overview
The International Scholars Program at Mount Mercy Academy welcomes young women from around the globe to join our Mercy community. Mount Mercy Academy is proud to enroll young women from all backgrounds, faiths, and cultures. Hosting international Mount Mercy students challenges domestic students to acknowledge different communication styles in order to make them better listeners and communicators, as well as provide different perspectives to their lessons in every class. Students create lifelong friendships that can eventually lead to travel and adventure for the rest of their lives.
Student Testimonial
"As an international student, my time at Mount Mercy Academy has been an incredible journey of growth and belonging. I still vividly remember my first day—it was orientation day. At that moment, I felt a mix of fear, loneliness, and uncertainty. There were no familiar faces around me. I wasn’t sure where to go, what to do, or how to navigate this new world. However, Mercy quickly became a warm and welcoming place that helped me feel at home.Choosing an all-girls school has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I chose Mount Mercy because I believed in the power of an all-girls environment. I was right! At Mercy, the environment is supportive and empowering. Girls here are empathetic, kind, and strong. The school provides more opportunities for leadership, and I’ve seen how much potential every girl here has. It’s a place where we’re encouraged to grow into our best selves." - Maggie Li, Mount Mercy Academy Class of 2026
International Admissions
Applications for long term international students are typically due an academic semester in advance. Once all of the below materials are collected, an interview will be scheduled with the student, their family, and Mount Mercy to discuss the next steps and eligibility. All materials can be sent directly to int@mtmercy.org.
Application Materials Required:
1- MMA Online application
2-Recommendation form (eventually a link to this)
3- School transcripts (in English)
4-Writing sample in English
5-TOEFL exam results /Duolingo scores
Once a student commits to Mount Mercy Academy, they will be coached through the proper US government visa processes and Mount Mercy requirements. That will include the below but not limited to:
-VISA application and appropriate forms
-Housing Compliance Forms
-International travel arrangements
-Uniform and supplies order form
​
All tuition and fees are subject to change per semester. Housing and recruitment fees are not included below.
-Tuition: $15,337 per year
- Activity fee: $340 per year
-Technology fee: $150 per year
- Uniform: $250 per student
- International Student Fee: $400 per year
International Student Services
International Orientation: Students are able to meet other students and faculty as well as tour the campus and learn about activities and services available to them.
Google Classroom: Mount Mercy uses google classroom to help organize our students in and out of the classroom. International students will be consistently updated for events on campus, breaks, deadlines etc. This will also include the travel schedule and forms to travel.
International Club: The International Club at Mount Mercy Academy promotes cultural exchange and celebrates diversity within our community. Our mission is to educate Mount Mercy students about cultures around the globe in order to promote understanding and appreciation of not only our community members but the Buffalo area. Through a variety of events—such as cultural presentations, international food events with cooking classes, and discussions on global issues—students can explore and appreciate the richness of different cultures.
F1/J1 Students
Mount Mercy is a SEVIS certified institution therefore, we are happy to review J-1 ( short term) and F-1 ( long term) student applicants. Applications will be reviewed a semester in advance and it is the student's responsibility to secure proper Visa paperwork.
Short Term Students
Buffalo Dortmund Exchange: We partner with the Buffalo Dortmund Exchange to bring high school students to study at MMA from Buffalo's sister city, Dortmund Germany.
Jump The World: We partner with Jump The World to bring Guatemalan students to join our community for a short term 7 week program.
Mount Mercy Academy is proud to share that we are partnering with Jump The World, an organization which brings students from Guatemala to study in the US! Our sister Mercy school in Rochester also hosts this program and has had great success. The students will spend 7 weeks in Buffalo this coming Fall 2025 attending Mount Mercy and we are looking for 2 host families to accommodate our guests!
For more information please Contact Nicole Calamunci, International Scholar Coordinator, at ncalamunci@mtmercy.org
