Misericordia University (MU)

Misericordia’s “mission…is mercy, justice, service and hospitality” and undergrads here certainly feel like those tenets are honored. As a small Catholic university in rural PA, Misericordia has managed to foster “a close-knit school.” Indeed, it’s the sort of place where “people say hello even if you do not know them.” The modest size also allows Misericordia to really “cater to each student’s needs.” The university is especially strong when it comes to the health sciences and undergrads give the physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and nursing programs high marks. As one speech pathology majors explains, “[The] MU Speech and Hearing clinic that provides me with great experience in the field.” Undergrads are grateful that professors “really seem like they genuinely care about their students.” They also truly appreciate that professors “have [a lot of] experience in their field and bring so much outside information into the classroom that you really get a feel for what it will be like when you are working.” Accessibility is also par for the course here. As one junior explains, “In the end, “Misericordia University is about receiving a top notch education while providing endless opportunities to grow.”

When asked to describe their peers, the first word that comes to mind for most Misericordia students is “welcoming.” Indeed, the university attracts a “friendly” and “very inclusive” lot. As one junior explains, “We have an unwritten rule that we hold the door open for someone even if they are 15 feet away.” And a sports marketing major underscores this point by adding, “In my personal experience, I isolated myself during the first few weeks of freshman year, yet many people always invited me to sit with them at lunch or dinner when they saw I was sitting alone.” While many Misericordia students could be described as “white” and “middle class,” we’ve been assured that, “it doesn't matter your gender, ethnicity, or religion; every student is considerate and likable.” And what truly unites this student body is that everyone tends to be “very focused on school” as well as “driven, dedicated to learning, interested in community service, and unbelievably nice.”

Though students at Misericordia have a substantial workload, they do strive for a good work/life balance. The university is “really community service oriented” and undergrads here have a great time serving others. Additionally, many say the student activities group does a commendable job. They host a number of events “ranging from comedians and game shows to movies.” And one junior interjects, “We also try to support our brand-new football team by going to their games.” Of course, some undergrads bemoan the fact that a good number of people head home on the weekends, since many students hail from the surrounding area. However, a sophomore assuages fears by insisting that “more and more students are deciding to stay on campus. There is always something going on here that if you are bored then you must be locking yourself in your room all of the time!” Finally, for those wondering about life beyond the campus, another sophomore shares, “We are just miles away from a small city that provides all the entertainment you need such as a movie theater, a mall, tons of outlets, food, parks, and a lot more.”