En español
Mount Saint Mary College is a four-year liberal arts institution located in Newburgh, NY dedicated to community service and student success. But what does that really mean? At the Mount, we encourage students to "Be the Spark" — to use their talents, knowledge, and drive to create change. In the classroom, on campus, and out in the community, we challenge our students to be the best they can be and provide opportunities to use their gifts to help others.
You are welcome to explore the rest of our site to learn more about this dedication to service, our wide array academic programs, life on campus, and the admissions process. However, we wanted to create a page specifically in Spanish where you can find an overview of the most important information you need in the language that is most accessible to you.
The Admissions Process
At the Mount, we strive to prepare our students to help others, and that starts with us helping you.
Whether you’re an undergraduate, transfer, degree completion, graduate, or international student or the family member of a prospective student, the college admissions process can be daunting. What paperwork do I need to fill out? Do I need to take entrance exams? How do I apply for aid? Why is this so complicated?
We get it, and we’re here to help. We’re pretty passionate about the admissions and financial aid process around here, but no question is stupid to us, so don’t be afraid to ask! Our staff is dedicated to helping you make the right college decision for you (even if it’s not the Mount!) and finding out how you’re destined to set the world on fire. Plus, we're test optional, so applying is even easier.
Ready to get started? Begin your application here.
Quick Links
Explore Admissions & Aid
Quick Facts
Average class size
Of first-year students receive scholarships and grants.
Graduates employed within 6 months
Undergraduate Admissions Profile
Application requirements: Completed application and official high school transcript. Applicants are welcome to submit additional materials they feel may enhance their application, such as one letter of recommendation
Average GPA: 87/3.0
Application fee: Apply for free!
Application deadline: Apply any time — the Mount has rolling admissions.
The College Application Process
While college may still be a few years away, there are still some things you can do to start preparing!
- Start to think about what you’d like to major in.
- Consider what you’d like out of a college experience. Do you want a big school or a small school? Close to home or far away? Any specific sports or clubs a must-have?
- Start to research schools that fit your criteria. Your guidance counselor can help you find schools, or you can use an online resource like Naviance or College Board. Be sure to visit the schools’ websites and sign up to receive more information!
- Consider taking the PSAT in sophomore year.
- Attend your school or region’s college fair to meet representatives and learn about different schools.
- It’s never too early to start visiting schools! Check out school’s open house schedules to see what they’re like in person.
Now’s the time to really start preparing for college!
- Sign up and study for the SAT/ACT (the Mount takes both exams, but does not require either) so you have plenty of time to retake them if you wish.
- If you haven’t already, now’s the time to start visiting schools. You don’t want to visit so many that you get overwhelmed with your choices, but make a list of 3-4 that you’d like to visit and have your parent or guardian do the same. Be sure to visit a school you don’t think you’ll like, too; you might just be surprised!
- Create an email address just to use for college applications and be sure to check it often for important updates.
It’s finally here: Senior year! Next year, you’re off to college, but here’s the steps to get there:
Fall
- If you haven’t already, visit your top choice schools to get a sense of what life is really like on campus.
- If you still want to take or retake the SAT/ACT, now’s the time! (Please note: neither are mandatory for admission.)
- Ask for recommendation letters from teachers and coaches.
- Check in on application deadlines and make a calendar with all of the upcoming dates.
- Submit your applications! The Mount’s application opens August 1.
- Apply for financial aid by filling out your FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Depending on the schools you are applying to, you may need to fill out additional applications for scholarships. At the Mount, you’re automatically considered for scholarships when you apply.
Spring
- Celebrate each time you get accepted to a college!
- Attend Accepted Student events for your top 2-3 colleges.
- Make your college decision and deposit by May 1!
- Be sure to watch your email for information on submitting your final high school transcripts and registering for Orientation and housing.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
How much is it going to cost?
It’s probably the #1 question on your mind when looking at a college.
The answer is that it is different for each person, as the cost of tuition is reduced by the scholarships, grants, and loans. Thankfully, the Offices of Financial Aid and Student Financial Services are here to help you answer that and all of your affordability questions.
Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid consists of all of the money you receive towards your education, whether it needs to be paid back or not. Here are the most common types of aid awarded:
Require repayment after final semester
Subsidized: Interest does not accrue while student is enrolled
Unsubsidized: Interest accrues while student is enrolled
Parent PLUS Loan: Federal loan option for parents of dependent undergraduate students
Grad PLUS Loan: Federal loan option for graduate students
Require repayment but secured by the student or parent independently of the college through an outside lender or bank.
Money that does not require repayment; eligibility is determined by your FAFSA application
Federal Pell Grant
FSEOG (Federal Supplementary Opportunity Grants)
TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education)
Iraq/Afghanistan Service Grants
NYS TAP (eligibility determined by NYS HESC application)
ETA Grant (eligibility determined by NYS HESC application)
On-campus employment with funds paid directly to student; eligibility is determined by your FAFSA application and employment availability
Money that does not require repayment
Institutional scholarships (awarded by MSMC or donors to the college - considered for automatically upon application to the college)
Outside scholarships (researched and applied for independently by the student and awarded by external agencies or organizations)
Why Should You File the FAFSA?
The FAFSA allows you to qualify not only for federal aid, but also scholarships as well. Regardless of whether or not you think you will receive government funding, the FAFSA is a valuable way to maximize your potential for aid.
Financial Aid Timeline
For first-time Mount students, you’ll go through the following steps to determine your eligibility for financial aid:
- File your FAFSA at fafsa.gov.
- If you are a resident of NY State, complete ETA/TAP/NYS Aid applications. The Mount’s code is 2110.
- If you are selected for Federal Verification, you will need to fill out additional forms, which you can find here.
- You will receive a letter indicating what scholarships you qualify for soon after receiving your admissions acceptance.
- A few weeks after that, you will receive a packet of information to your home address outlining all of the financial aid you are eligible for, including grants and loans.
Supporting Your Student
You’ve been simultaneously dreading and longing for this moment. Your student is beginning the college search process! You’re super proud, but you’re also wary, and we get it. The college search process is already making your head spin, and you've only just started.
Take a deep breath, and let's walk you through the process.
How You Can Help Your Student Through the Admissions Process
- Plan: In sophomore or junior year, talk with your student about how involved you’ll be in the college search process. Would they like your assistance? If so, how much? Talking it out ahead of time will be helpful as the process progresses.
- Visit: Sophomore or junior year is also a great time to start researching schools and visiting them. We suggest that both you and your student each select a few schools you’d like to visit, maybe 3-4 each.
- College Fairs: Join your student on college fair visits at their high school (they may feel embarrassed to talk to admissions counselors, but we’re always happy to talk to parents too!).
- Apply: Most students apply between August-December of their senior year. Be sure to check if any of the schools your student is interested in have specific application deadlines for certain programs.
- FAFSA: You’ll also want to help your student fill out the FAFSA, which allows students to be eligible for financial aid. We know that the FAFSA can be a bit intimidating, so watch out for FAFSA sessions at our Open Houses to meet with our financial aid counselors who can walk you through the process.
- Deposit: May 1 is the big day - Decision Day! In order to secure your student’s place at the school of their choice, you will most likely have to pay an admissions deposit on or before this date (at the Mount, it’s $250 for resident students and $150 for commuters).
- Payment: Many schools (like the Mount) offer payment plans. Be sure to sign up if you’re interested and talk to the Financial Aid Office about any last minute finance questions.
- Pack: If your student will be living on campus, be sure to check the school’s website for a list of what to bring (and what not to bring). You can find the Mount’s here.
Once your student is here, be sure to keep up with our section for current families here.