Answers to 7 common college admissions questions

The process of applying to college can seem intimidating. With a handful of questions and plenty of items on your to-do list, it can feel like there’s still so much standing between you and the bright future you’re planning for yourself.

The close-knit, supportive culture at Mount Mary University (MMU) aims to ease some of that pre-college anxiety. We spoke with Madison Schiller and Berenice Bahena Jurado, two admissions counselors at MMU, to learn more about the process of applying to college.

Join us as we explore seven of the most common college admissions questions they encounter on the job.

7 College admissions FAQs that MMU counselors hear often

The transition into college is a big one, and there’s a lot to consider when making decisions about which schools to apply to and where you’ll ultimately enroll. MMU’s admissions counselors spend their days guiding students through this process, offering a range of support resources along the way.

They’ve identified seven common college admissions questions students like you are asking. See if their answers can help you in your college decision-making process.

1. Who can attend Mount Mary University?

While MMU is a Catholic institution, students of all faith traditions are welcome. There are at least 11 different religions represented among the student body. The University welcomes and celebrates students from all cultural backgrounds, continually embracing the opportunity to learn from one another and grow together. In fact, 63 percent of MMU’s undergraduate students identify as being ethnically diverse.

At the undergraduate level, MMU welcomes all students who identify as women (including both cisgender and transgender women), intersex individuals who do not identify as male and non-binary individuals. As an all-women’s university at the undergraduate level, we aim to cultivate an empowering campus environment that emphasizes women’s leadership. As a result, young women at MMU can develop strong self-esteem and confidence while focusing on women’s empowerment and social justice.

Mount Mary also offers a range of graduate programs. All individuals, regardless of gender identification, are eligible to pursue these post-baccalaureate degrees.

2. Do students live on campus?

If they’re not living at home with their parents, all full-time, first-year students entering MMU out of high school are expected to reside in Caroline Hall to get a truly unique and immersive freshman year experience. On-campus housing in Caroline Hall is also available to students after their first year.

MMU’s admissions counselors note that many students greatly enjoy residing on campus. The convenience of living just a short walk from their classrooms is hard to beat — especially during the Wisconsin winters. Caroline Hall offers several different room options (single, double, triple or suite), some of which are equipped with private bathrooms, walk-in closets, and other compelling amenities.

Additional perks of living on campus include free parking, nearby shopping and entertainment, and regular free events hosted by Residence Life, Student Engagement and other on-campus organizations.

3. What are the most popular majors at MMU?

Mount Mary University has a diverse catalog of more than 30 undergraduate majors for women and 10 graduate programs for women and men. The skills and knowledge MMU degree-holders gain qualify them to make waves in a range of industries, from science and health care to business, design and more.

Undergraduate students can major in programs such as fashion design, food science, education, creative writing, exercise science or interior architecture and design. There are also a number of undergraduate programs aimed to prepare students for post-graduate study, such as pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-medicine and pre-veterinary tracks.

Graduate degree opportunities range from education and art therapy to occupational therapy and dietetics. In addition to these bachelor’s and master’s degrees, MMU offers some pre-baccalaureate, post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificate programs.

Our admissions counselors point out that the most popular majors among MMU students are nursing, biology, psychology and fashion design. But it may come as a surprise to learn that the second most common major is “undecided.” An increasing number of students have chosen to enroll in Mount Mary’s Compass Year Program, which was designed for students who have not yet landed on a major.

The Compass Year Program allows students to spend their first year of college taking career exploration courses, job shadowing professionals in different industries and working with a career counselor who will help them identify their professional goals. All the while, they’re still completing coursework that will count toward their graduation requirements. This experience helps ensure that when Compass Year students are ready to declare a major, they can do so with confidence.

4. What can I expect from the coursework?

As an institution, MMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation is a process where colleges and universities are periodically evaluated to ensure they meet the proper educational standards. By choosing an accredited college, students can have confidence that the school is effective in teaching its students. Program-specific accreditation has also been attained by a range of MMU degree programs.

The average class size is just 12 students, with an overall faculty-to-student ratio of 1:10. Keeping the MMU community small helps infuse a tight-knit culture of support for students across all programs. As an MMU student, your instructors and advisors will be readily available to offer guidance when you need it.

In addition to their Compass Year or major-specific courses, MMU students are required to take a Leadership for Social Justice seminar. This interactive and reflective course gives students the opportunity to focus on social justice principles, as well as local and global issues of social justice — particularly as they pertain to women. This curriculum-wide emphasis on social justice is in support of Mount Mary University’s mission to encourage leadership, integrity and justice throughout our communities and across career fields.

5. Will I be able to afford college tuition?

It’s no secret that college is a big investment. But a college degree has also become a pretty significant contributing factor to success in today’s economy. That’s why MMU is committed to making its impactful programs accessible to students from a variety of backgrounds.

Specific tuition information is available on the MMU Costs & Aid page, but admissions counselors regularly encourage students to look beyond the initial sticker price of a degree. It’s essential to note that MMU’s generous scholarship offerings ensure that no student will have to pay the full cost for a year of study.

With a commitment to creating an affordable path toward an education, each student accepted to MMU is offered an academic scholarship. The amount will be determined based on an applicant’s GPA, but awards range between $13,000–$19,000. Students may also be eligible for the Grace Scholars Program, which covers 85 percent of a student’s four-year tuition. They could also qualify for the Caroline Scholars Program, which offers a full-ride scholarship to participating students.

Beyond scholarships, students can utilize Federal Student Aid to help fund their studies. Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will determine your eligibility for federal grants, work-study and loans.

MMU counselors recommend that when you apply online, both you and your parent/guardian should create a FAFSA ID. This will make it easier to verify your identity and process your FAFSA application. And be prepared to provide tax information from the two years prior.

If questions come up or you need some assistance in getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out to MMU’s financial aid office.

6. What is the application process like?

Applying to college has become easier than ever. Whether you’re about to graduate from high school, you’re a current college student hoping to transfer or you’re a working professional looking to excel in your career, MMU has streamlined its admissions process to make applying to college simple and straightforward.

All students can apply online for free, and the process only takes about ten minutes to complete. Specific application requirements can vary slightly depending on your circumstances. High school students and other first-time applicants, for example, will need to arrange to have their high school transcripts sent to MMU, and they also have the option to include their ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students should submit both their high school and college/university transcripts.

Admissions counselors are available to provide guidance to applicants as needed. And MMU offers rolling admission, which means there’s no deadline to apply. That said, you’ll still want to take note of any important scholarship and financial aid deadlines. Students can expect to be notified of their admission status within two weeks of applying.

7. Will my existing college credits transfer?

Transferring college credits to Mount Mary University is just as easy as the streamlined application process. Students who have existing credits from two-year, four-year and technical colleges can fill out MMU’s transcript request form and provide it to the registrar’s office at the schools they’ve previously attended.

Those who attended a two-year school or technical college can transfer up to 72 credits, and those transferring from a four-year institution can work with their admissions counselor to determine the extent of their transfer credits. MMU’s transfer policy also extends to those with military experience, awarding up to 12 credits for basic military training and education. Other elective credits for military servicemembers and veterans may be awarded based on individual assessment.

Finally, MMU awards college credit for dual-enrollment courses, advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) experience. No matter your specific circumstances as a transfer student, you’ll be able to work with one of MMU’s transfer admissions counselors to determine what courses will transfer and what credit requirements they will fulfill.

Discover your purpose at Mount Mary University

As you prepare for a big college transition, it’s helpful to know that schools like Mount Mary University have made learning about and applying to their programs easier than ever. While MMU students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, they all have some key things in common: a bright future and a desire to make a difference.

If you’re drawn to the emphasis on women’s leadership, the engaging coursework with a focus on social justice and the supportive, inclusive community at Mount Mary University, learn more about how to apply today.