By Hernezto Valeryan Fabio Jean, 11th Grader at Brien McMahon High School, Surayyah Brown, 11th Grader at Norwalk High School, and Jacob Jones, 11thGrader at Brien McMahon High School
Today, we visited Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. Misericordia is the Latin word for mercy, compassion, and clemency, which resonated with us. The beautiful campus is on 125 acres, blending old and new architectural styles. We were impressed by the welcoming, serene campus atmosphere. Misericordia University was founded in 1924 and is home to one of the oldest Nursing programs in the area.
The College of Business, Health Sciences & Education, and the Arts and Sciences are three leading colleges. We noticed small class sizes (a 10:1 student-to-staff ratio and an average class size of 19) and learned from our tour guide, Maura, that professors, not teaching assistants, teach the classes. The Arts is supported by a theater that hosts student plays and art galleries that showcase frequent exhibits. Academically, the university reports a 94% 4-year graduation rate and an 82% first-year retention rate, with a 93% acceptance rate and a 95% graduation rate. Notably, Misericordia does not require an application fee, does not mandate SAT or ACT scores, and states that 100% of admitted students receive scholarship or aid. The tuition is around $53,000, though most students receive financial assistance. Additionally, the university offers 31 Division 111 teams and various internship opportunities in Mass Communication and Design, Mathematics, Humanities, Learn and Grow, and Science, often leading to post-graduation jobs.
Excerpt: Centered on campus is a stone sculpture with four pillars. Each pillar depicts a student's journey, starting with rough edges and transforming into a polished individual ready to take on the future.
We loved learning about the strong student support systems in place, like the Student Success Center, mental health support, paid internships, and job placements. Around 70% of students get help from resources like the Math Club, the Tutoring Center, and the Writing Center. For students in the medical programs, some clinics and internships give hands-on experience. The university will provide paid internships to graduates who are unable to find employment within six months of graduation.
Service is an essential component of Misericordia University. Students can serve communities locally, nationally, or globally. Students have traveled to places like Jamaica and San Francisco to work on projects that benefit the community, thus living up to the creed and values of mercy and compassion.
Excerpt: The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library has computers and large, comfortable bean bags on every floor, making it a cozy place to study.
During the campus tour, several important places were highlighted. The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library has computers and large, comfortable bean bags on every floor, making it a cozy place to study. Another special building is the Geraldine Ruth Daley Anderson Bell Tower, which has a chapel inside and a strong historical presence. The Anderson Sports and Health Center includes an indoor track, a basketball court, a gym, a swimming pool, and space for cross-country training. We checked out the dining options and student life spaces. The full dining offers a pizza bar, deli, an ice cream station, a Chick-fil-A, and a Starbucks on campus. The fitness center is open year-round, and a health center and post office are conveniently located on campus. As many of us are interested in health sciences, we appreciated the strong nursing and therapy programs. Maura highlighted that the professors and coaches are very supportive of student athletes.
Learning that 100% of students receive merit aid and that we wouldn’t need to submit SAT scores because they are test-optional made the application process much less stressful. Overall, we left the Misericordia campus feeling that it is a place where we would be supported to grow academically, personally, and even spiritually.
Centered on campus is a stone sculpture with four pillars. Each pillar depicts a student's journey, starting with rough edges and transforming into a polished individual ready to take on the future.
Overall, Misericordia University combines strong academics, helpful support systems, and a welcoming community, making it an excellent place for students to learn, grow, and prepare for their future.
Student Voices from the Road: The following blog post—and others throughout this week—are written by Carver students participating in Carver’s 53rd Annual Spring College Tour. These reflections offer a firsthand look at their experiences visiting colleges and universities across the East Coast as they explore their futures and share what inspires them along the way.
