Freshman FAQs

Where is Mount Aloysius College?
Mount Aloysius College is located in scenic Cresson, Pennsylvania. The college sits on top of Cresson Mountain, just off Route 22. Mount Aloysius College is nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, between Altoona and Johnstown, and is approximately 90 miles East of Pittsburgh.

How many students attend Mount Aloysius College?
Mount Aloysius College has approximately 2,000 students (unduplicated head-count). 1,200 of these students are full-time undergraduates, while 800 are either enrolled part-time as an undergraduate or graduate, or in an off-campus program such as dual enrollment.

Where do Mount Aloysius College students come from?
Our student population comes primarily from Pennsylvania and the states contiguous of Pennsylvania. Some states represented on campus include Kentucky, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Several countries are also represented on campus including England, Poland, Macedonia, Ireland, Greece, South Korea, and Jamaica.

Do you offer liberal arts?
Building upon the Liberal Arts tradition, students will further develop a sense of curiosity and an inquiring disposition by employing a variety of learning styles and complex reasoning strategies to serve as a foundation to a commitment of lifelong learning.

What is the typical SAT score or ACT score?
The typical SAT score is around 1,000 (old scale) or 1,500 (new scale). ACT scores average a 21. Mount Aloysius College offers the ACT monthly. All students are reviewed on a case by case basis.

What if I do not have these scores?
Every application is reviewed on a case by case basis. You may be asked to take the SAT/ACT again or provide other information to us including letters of recommendation, a writing sample, etc.

What types of programs do you offer?
Academic programs at Mount Aloysius College are designed to prepare you for your future while broadening your horizons. Our more than 50 programs of study are encapsulated into three distinct divisions: Humanities, Social Science, and Professional Studies; Health Studies and Sciences; and Nursing. The College offers Master, Bachelor and select Associate degree programs.

How many majors/academic programs does Mount Aloysius College provide?
More than 50 programs of study are offered on the undergraduate and graduate levels in Health Sciences and Nursing, Humanities, Education, Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Business Administration and Pre-Professional Study. Students may choose from more than 40 concentrations and minors.

What are the SAT and ACT codes for Mount Aloysius College?
The SAT code for Mount Aloysius College is 2420.
The ACT code for Mount Aloysius College is 3635.

What is your federal Financial Aid Code?
Our Financial Aid code is 003302.

Do you provide opportunities for service?
Mount Aloysius College students have various service opportunities, both through the campus and the community. In the past, our students have helped in the Hurricane Katrina aftermath and have traveled to Jamaica on mission trips.

Do you have a housing requirement?
There is a housing requirement at Mount Aloysius College for freshman and sophomore students who live more than a half hour from campus. Students within a half hour of campus are encouraged to live on campus for the full collegiate experience, but are permitted to commute from parent or legal guardian home.

May I bring my car to campus?
All students attending Mount Aloysius College are permitted to have a car on campus. Registration fees for a year total $20.

Do I need to bring a computer to campus?
While computers are growing more important by the day, they are not required at Mount Aloysius College. For those who do not supply their own computer, there are computer labs in most academic buildings across campus for personal and college use. For those who bring a computer, MAC is 100 percent wireless across campus, and, in the residence halls, students have the ability to hook up to high-speed internet -- all for free. Laptop check-out service is also available at the campus library.

What other means of transportation exist if I do not have a car?
The Cambria Count Transit Authority (CamTran) is on campus daily for students who do not bring a car to campus.  In addition, there is a Greyhound bus station just a few miles away in Ebensburg. Both Altoona and Johnstown provide regional airport service, as well as train and bus stations. 

What division is your athletic program and what sports programs are provided?
Mount Aloysius College is an official NCAA Division III participant and calls the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference home. Currently, students are able to compete in baseball, softball, men's/women's basketball, women's volleyball, men's/women's golf, men's/women's cross country, men's/women's tennis and men's/women's soccer.

Do you have an alcohol policy?
Alcohol is strictly prohibited on the Mount Aloysius College campus, regardless of the age of the student.

Is Mount Aloysius College a suitcase campus?
Mount Aloysius College is an advancing residential college with approximately 450 resident students. Those who live on campus enjoy spending weekends in the scenic setting of Cresson Mountain, participating in one
or several of MAC's more than 100 clubs and organizations. In addition, a new, state-of-the-art residence hall opened in Fall 2009!

How safe is Mount Aloysius College?
With a 24-hour security staff and two full-time Residence Life staff members living on campus, safety is a primary focus at Mount Aloysius College. Mount Aloysius College prides itself on having an incident report that is borderline non-existent.

Do you have career services and assist with job placement?
The career services office on campus is located in the Cosgrave Student Center, with the goal of helping students choose a career and find a job. Currently, Mount Aloysius College boasts a 99 percent job-placement-rate for students in nursing and health studies majors and 97 percent placement overall. The majority of our students gain employment within three months after graduation or enroll in graduate, law or other professional school.

How do students seek a job on campus?
Students are able to seek jobs through the Federal Work Study program, coordinated in the Financial Aid Office on campus. Work Study positions are posted in the Financial Aid Office and various offices around campus. In addition, some campus offices offer employment on a budgeted basis.

Who are the Sisters of Mercy?
The Religious Sisters of Mercy founded and sponsor Mount Aloysius College. Catherine McAuley founded the Religious Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland in 1831 as a congregation devoted to service. Today, the Sisters of Mercy serve world-wide, continuing to service the needy through advocacy and direct service in health-care, education and social service agencies and institutions. Mount Aloysius College is one of 16 Mercy colleges nation-wide.

Do you have to be Catholic to attend Mount Aloysius College?
While Mount Aloysius College was founded in the Catholic tradition, and Catholic masses are offered on
campus, you do not have to be Catholic to attend Mount Aloysius College.

Can students smoke in the residence halls?
All residence halls are non-smoking, however, there are designated smoking areas for students and staff located around campus.

Do you have fraternities and sororities?
While Mount Aloysius College does not have fraternities or sororities, there are over 100 different clubs and organizations for students to become involved with, including intramurals and service opportunities.

What is there to do at Mount Aloysius College?
Mount Aloysius College offers students the opportunity to be involved with over 100 different clubs, academic associations, intramural programs and activities, 13 different NCAA Division III inter-collegiate athletic programs and various intramural sports. MAC's very own Vox Nova choral ensemble and Theatre program produce various concerts and plays throughout the school year. In addition, Mount Aloysius College welcomes different lecturers, comedians and bands to campus.

Do you have graduate students teaching?
MAC has more than 60 full-time faculty. All classes are taught by professors, not graduate assistants.

May I enroll at Mount Aloysius College as an Undecided Major?
Students who are interested in enrolling into a Bachelor's Degree program, but are undecided on a particular major, can select Undecided/Exploratory on their admissions application.  However, all students must declare a specific major by the end of their sophomore year.  Each semester, numerous students enroll at Mount Aloysius College as Undecided/Exploratory majors.

Is Mount Aloysius College affordable?
Mount Aloysius College is one of the most affordable private colleges in the United States of America. Currently, over 90 percent of our students receive scholarships and financial aid.

What is academic advising like at Mount Aloysius College?
Academic Advising at Mount Aloysius College is committed to combining education for life with preparation for professional experience. The Academic Advising Office assists and guides students in developing educational plans, supporting career goals and achieving academic success.

How close are you to major cities?
Located in scenic Cresson, Pennsylvania, Mount Aloysius College is just 13 miles from Altoona, 30 miles from Johnstown and 90 miles from Pittsburgh.

Do you prefer on-line application or traditional application?
Students can apply for admission either on-line or with a traditional application. We do not have a preference. However, if students visit campus, we'll waive the $30 application fee!

Now that my application has been accepted, what's the next step?
Once a student has been accepted, it is important to apply for financial aid.  Currently, 90% of Mount Aloysius College students receive financial aid and scholarships.  To apply for need-based financial aid, Mount Aloysius College requires all students to complete the FAFSA form. Also, be sensitive to paying your tuition and housing deposits on time and join us for ACCEPTED STUDENT DAY, traditionally held in March!

What kind of financial aid/scholarships do you offer?
Mount Aloysius College offers merit scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000/year.  Our Mercy Presidential Leadership Scholarship is awarded to 30 students and is a $10,000/year award.  Some majors and programs offer $1,000/year fellowships including the Honors Program.

Mount Aloysius College also offers federal, state and private grants/need-based and non-need-based aid, plus work study. Student attending MAC are also able to apply for loans.

What is so important about April 1 at Mount Aloysius College?
Once your application has been accepted, you have until April 1 to let us know if you plan to enroll in the fall.  Please send your tuition and housing deposits to secure your space for the fall class. We have limited space available for new freshmen and after April 1, we may not be able to accommodate you in terms of admission, financial aid or housing.  Many academic programs at Mount Aloysius College require students to commit at an earlier date - be sure to check your official acceptance letter! Typically refunds are issued up until May 1 as long as formal notification is received in writing and an extenuating circumstance exists. Housing deposits are not tuition deposits and are non-refundable.

Does Mount Aloysius College accept dual enrollment or AP credits?
Mount Aloysius College recognizes the Advanced Placement program and will grant standing and college credit for courses in harmony with the college curriculum to students who complete the Advanced Placement Test with a grade of 3 or higher. Students who are dually enrolled, can receive credit for classes taken, provided they are in harmony with college curriculum and students earn a C or higher.