Merrimack College (MC, ) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Merrimack College was founded in the Augustinian tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1947 in North Andover, Massachusetts, the archbishop of Boston noticed that there were no schools readily available for the soldiers returning from the war. At his request, Merrimack College was created in order to meet this need. The once small college has grown exponentially in the past century. Where one building once stood, forty buildings have grown to form the campus of this prestigious college.

Merrimack College is home to one of the largest libraries in the state of Massachusetts, with over one hundred thousand separate volumes, students, faculty and visitors from across the state visit Merrimack College’s library to fulfill all of their research needs.

The campus also now houses a new athletic building, a center for the performing arts, several classroom buildings, on campus residences, an on campus church for students and faculty, and many more buildings to accommodate all of the students’ needs. Students at Merrimack College come from states across the nation and foreign countries from around the world.

Information Summary

Ranks 57th in Massachusetts and 1360th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	75.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$60,055
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	85% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,643

Academics

Merrimack College offers a variety of different degree programs to suit any student’s need. While most students attend Merrimack College to receive a bachelor’s degree in one of the many offered major areas, others attend Merrimack to achieve an associate’s degree or master’s degree in its other educational programs. Merrimack College also offers career certification programs, specialty certificates, and degree completion programs for adults seeking to further their education.

The educational programs at Merrimack College are split up among four basic schools: the School of Education, the School of Business, the School of Science and Engineering, and the School of Liberal Arts. Among these educational options, students are provided with over fifty different major opportunities that range from theater to music and science to mathematics.

Associate’s degree programs are offered in subjects such as accounting, criminal justice, elementary education, cosmetology, and much more. Many students who receive an associate’s degree at Merrimack College opt to transfer their credits to another four-year institution and then pursue a bachelor’s degree. Merrimack College also offers a wide selection of international programs. Students who enroll in the international programs are afforded the unique opportunity to study abroad without delaying their graduation schedule. No matter what a student’s major is, he or she can find a study abroad program that will accommodate his or her required courses. International programs of study are offered during the regular fall and spring semesters and during the summer session.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Students are easily able to apply to Merrimack College by filling out the online application that is hosted on the school’s official website. The cost of applying to the school is waived for students who apply online. While academic performance is not the only consideration for acceptance to Merrimack College, over three-fourths of the student body has typically graduated in the top fifty percent of their high school class.

Students with a poor high school grade point average can still be considered for admittance to Merrimack College. Standardized test scores such as the ACT or SAT tests are considered in a student’s application. A student’s community involvement and extracurricular activities are also considered. Students are encouraged to write an essay regarding their motivation for applying to Merrimack College and the reasons why they believe Merrimack is the right school for them.

After submitting an application online, through the mail, or filling out an application in the Office of Admissions on Merrimack College’s campus, students are encouraged to visit the campus and experience the many benefits that Merrimack has to offer its students. Students will typically receive a response regarding their application within one week of applying.

Financial Aid

Merrimack College has a history of providing financial aid to students who are experiencing economic hardship or difficulties. One of Merrimack College’s goals is to prevent financial hardship from affecting a student’s ability to attend a college or university. The Financial Aid Office at Merrimack College is a great place for students to apply for federal and private financial aid.

Students can fill out the FAFSA by following a link on the school’s official website. After this form is completed and processed, students will be informed regarding their options for financial aid. Students who do not receive enough aid from the government can apply for private scholarships that are either merit-based or need-based. Students can also participate in Work/Study programs that can offset the cost of college tuition.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 140th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Massachusetts.

Athletics

Merrimack College is unique in that has varsity sports teams that compete in both NCAA Division I and II conferences. The men’s ice hockey team is a part of the NCAA Division I conference and has performed extremely well in the last decade. The other varsity teams compete in the NCAA Division II conference and have several exciting rivalries within this conference. Students at Merrimack College who don’t compete in varsity sports are still active supporters of their college’s teams.

Intramural sports are also available for all students to participate in. Sports such as flag football, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball and more are available for intramural competition. The activity level at Merrimack College is guaranteed to provide students with a fun way to stay physically healthy. Student-led yoga classes, aerobics classes, martial arts experiences, and dance teams are also available on campus.

Local Community

Merrimack College is located in North Andover, Massachusetts. North Andover is a small Massachusetts town that is only twenty-five miles outside of downtown Boston. Students who attend Merrimack College often take advantage of its proximity to Boston and visit the historical metropolis on weekends.

Boston is a rich historical center with significant historical buildings that offer tours detailing important locations and dates of the American Revolution. Boston is also a cultural center. With art galleries, movie theaters, live theater venues, concert venues, jazz clubs, and cultural museums, students can find a wealth of culture to experience in Boston. Boston also offers some of the best night life in New England. Shopping centers and fine dining are also found in Boston.

Bibliography

Merrimack Athletics. Merrimack College, 2011. Web. 17 May 2011.

Merrimack College – Liberal Arts, Business, Science and Engineering, Education. Merrimack College, 2011. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.merrimack.edu>.

Phelps, Jonathan. “New Merrimack College President.” Eagle-Tribune [North Andover, Mass] 10 Mar. 2010. Print.

Merrimack College