Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?+-

Undergraduate Students: Use the Common Application, an online collegiate application that, once completed, will be sent electronically to the Mount’s Office of Admission.

Graduate Students: To apply for our Graduate Programs, you may use our Graduate Programs Online Application. Once completed, your application will be sent electronically to the Graduate Office of Admission.

Is living on campus mandatory for incoming students in their first year? +-: Mount Saint Mary’s University strongly encourages all admitted students to apply for on-campus housing for their first year of school. You’ll have closer access to everything, as you meet new friends and more quickly become part of the Mount community. However, MSMU does not require first-year students to live on campus.

Why does MSMU ask about my family's financial background as part of the application process?+-: This isn't just MSMU—the United States government, as part of the F-1 Student Visa program, requires financial documentation as part of its decision process before approving your entry into the country.

My English is excellent. Do I need to take an English proficiency test? +-: You do not have to take an English proficiency test if you have achieved the minimum thresholds stated in the English Proficiency section of our application instructions. If you have not achieved those thresholds, then you will be required to provide us with the results from a test taken within the last two calendar years. TOEFL, IELTS, ITEP, APIEL, or PTE-A test scores may be submitted.

What is the weather like in Los Angeles?+-: Los Angeles has a very temperate climate with average temperatures in the 70-degrees Fahrenheit range (20-degrees Celsius). It does rain during the winter months, but in general the area has beautiful weather.

Is Los Angeles a safe city? +-: Like most American cities, crime has been on the decline here for more than a decade. Los Angeles is a major metropolitan area with all the attendant issues that go along with large populations, but by and large it is safe. Mount Saint Mary’s University provides an enhanced level of security at both its Chalon and Doheny campuses to help ensure student safety at all times.

The visa process seems confusing and difficult.+-: Bear in mind that hundreds of thousands of international students come to the United States each year to study—so the system does work, tedious as it may seem. Make sure you allow enough time and always be responsive to requests from the government related to the processing of your visa. If you have questions, contact your team member in the Center for Global Initiatives.