PACT
The Mercy Advantage
Mentorship Matters
Academic advisors help you pick and pass classes - of course we do that, but college is so much more! Beyond the classroom, there's a world of opportunities and experiences waiting for you at Mercy University. Our PACT Program offers teams of trained academics and professionals who are here to help you discover your strengths and take charge of your future
Looking for clubs and career fairs? We can help! Exploring different programs or navigating policies? We’re your compass. Uncertain about your next steps? Make a game plan with our academic coaches! Meet your team and make the most of your college experience.
Nationally Recognized for Excellence and Innovation.
The PACT program was recognized by Excelencia in Education for identifying and promoting evidence-based practices that help accelerate Latino Student Success.
In 2010 the American Council on Education (ACE) included PACT as an innovation in higher education in their report to the White House.
See How PACT Is Here To Help You Throughout Your College Experience
PACT helps you choose your major and track your academic progress.
What to Expect
Mercy's PACT Teams are here to support you at each step of the college journey.
PACT teams are available at each step of the way as you get started at Mercy.
Before You Start at Mercy
After submitting your deposit, please complete the required enrollment intake form and submit through your admissions portal. Please submit the following at least one week before the semester begins:
- Official high school transcript in a sealed envelope, including your final grades and graduation date. You can request these from your high school guidance office.
Immunization records - proof of the MMR and meningitis shots are needed.
- Financial aid: Fill out your FAFSA online for federal aid (Mercy University FAFSA code 002772), and if you’re a New York resident, fill out your TAP application. (Mercy University TAP code 2100).
- FERPA Form to grant permission to release information about your student records to a third party
- Other transferrable credits: AP credits, IB credits must be sent directly from College Board or IB to Mercy.
Getting to Know Mercy
- Financial Aid - There are lots of options when it comes to funding your education. Visit our financial aid page to learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarships, grants, federal work study and loans.
- Research and Library Services – The library is here to help with everything from research assistance or help figuring out your citations
- Center of Academic Excellence & Innovation (CAEI) – The CAEI is here to support students with writing, math, science, general education and much more
- Career & Professional Development – Get help creating a resume, explore Handshake for job and internship opportunities, create a cover letter and more
- Degree Works – This tool helps you and your adviser track your progress, prepare for registration and plan for graduation
PACT is here to help undergraduate students with:
- Declaring a major
- Applying to a 4+1 MaxTrack Program
- Career options
- Résumé building
- Navigating policies and opportunities
- Volunteer and internship experiences
- Building relationships with faculty members
Student Support
- Career & Professional Development – Get help creating a resume, explore Handshake for job and internship opportunities, create a cover letter and more
- Research and Library Services – The library is here to help with everything from research assistance or help figuring out your citations
- Center of Academic Excellence & Innovation (CAEI) – The CAEI is here to support students with writing, math, science, general education and much more.
- Studying Abroad – Speak with your PACT mentor and visit the Center for Global Engagement for additional information.
The PACT Graduation Team is here to help seniors (90 credits and up) cross the finish line.
- Apply for Degree Conferral
- Meet all your program requirements
- Participate in Commencement activities
- Connect to Mercy's alumni network
Enter the workforce and/or prepare to apply to Graduate School
Graduate Programs - A graduate degree helps you gain a deeper understanding of a subject you already love, with the added bonus of career advancement and increased earning potential.
- Mercy Link – Meet alumni who work in your field of interest, share lived experiences, and can give you the real story behind your intended workplace.
Career & Professional Development – Get help creating a resume, explore Handshake for job and internship opportunities, create a cover letter and more
- Research and Library Services – The library is here to help with everything from research assistance or help figuring out your citations
- Center of Academic Excellence & Innovation (CAEI) – The CAEI is here to support students with writing, math, science, general education and much more.
PACT mentors will help graduate students navigate:
- Academics
- Career options
- Financial aid
- Connect students to outside resources
The goal is to help support students throughout their graduate degree by collaborating with program directors and other departments to make sure we are with you through every step of the way.
Getting Started
- Submit your official college transcript
Submit your immunization records
Student Support
- Career & Professional Development – Get help creating a résumé, explore Handshake for job and internship opportunities, create a cover letter and more
- Research and Library Services – The library is here to help with everything from research assistance or help figuring out your citations
Before Starting at Mercy
For a seamless start, please submit the following at least one week before the semester begins:
- Submit your official college transcript(s)
- Submit your immunization records
- Submit your FERPA Form to grant permission to release information about your student records to a third party
- Transfer credit evaluation - Mercy University accepts a maximum of 75 credits from two-year colleges and 90 credits from four-year colleges and universities – PACT mentors will help in mapping out a semester by semester plan through graduation.
First Semester Goals:
- Get involved on campus by attending events on campus and joining clubs and organizations.
- Meet with a PACT Mentor
- Check your DegreeWorks to make sure your audit doesn't have a course you took at your previous institution. You should also review the credits that you transferred in.
- Submit your resume and join a Career Community on Handshake.
- Build a relationship with your faculty
Student Support
- Career & Professional Development – Get help creating a resume, explore Handshake for job and internship opportunities, create a cover letter and more
- Research and Library Services – The library is here to help with everything from research assistance or help figuring out your citations. We have a transfer library guide to help you get started.
- Center of Academic Excellence & Innovation (CAEI) – The CAEI is here to support students with writing, math, science, general education and much more.
- Studying Abroad – Speak with a PACT mentor and visit the Center for Global Engagement for additional information
Academic Advising
Whether you’ve known your major since you were five or you’re not really sure where to start our mentorship teams can help you set and achieve your goals.
PACT adapts with you. If you decide to change our major your mentorship team will show you what that change will look like, how to get the classes you need to complete that major and help you finish strong.
If you’re having trouble in a class, or just need some refreshers, PACT can connect you with tutors to make sure you stay on track.
Career Exploration
PACT helps you turn your interests and skills into a successful career. Your mentorship team has a myriad of advisement tools available to help you narrow down your interests and discover the career path you want to explore.
Once you have a career direction, PACT helps you dive right in by connecting you with Career and Professional Development resources to help craft your résumé and begin the internship search.
Who you know is just as important as what you know. Your PACT mentorship team will connect you to career coaches who will offer you networking opportunities, programs and events to start making valuable career connections
Financial Literacy
Between Federal Aid, Institutional Aid, State Aid, Scholarships, Grants and all the different types of loans, it's a wonder how anyone can figure out how to pay for college. Your PACT mentorship team is here to help you navigate all of these options including how financial aid, part time jobs and other programs are available to help fund your education.
Student Engagement & Resources
Mercy University offers a ton of resources, clubs, activities and ways to get involved on campus. But where do you start? How do you find everything that’s offered? By talking to your PACT mentorship team!
Your PACT mentorship team can help with getting involved on campus, finding the club or activity that’s right for you or even starting your own on-campus organization. So much of your college experience takes place outside of the college experience and PACT is here to make sure you’re connected to the thriving campus community.
PACT is also there to connect you to valuable campus resources such as the Office of ACCESSibility, counseling center, health services and tutoring center to name a few.
Academic Coaching
A typical athletic coach works with athletes over several weeks to get into shape, develop interpersonal skills, and create strategies to win the big game. An academic coach does the same thing - just within the classroom - to help you reach your full potential. PACT mentors offer specialized Academic Coaching to help students develop success skills - academic and professional - across all disciplines.
Academic coaching is a process in which PACT mentors work with students in a series of one-on-one personalized sessions to help students assess their strengths and needs, balance their responsibilities, achieve their goals, and develop skills to enhance their academic performance.
Meetings are tailored to each student's individual needs, but often include topics such as:
- Goal setting
- Time management and organization
How to process and apply feedback
- Resource navigation
- Communication
- Self-efficacy and advocacy
Academic coaching is available for all students, encouraged for anyone struggling, and required for students on academic warning or probation.
Students can expect to learn new skills to help them succeed in their courses and throughout their lives. Academic coaching sessions are conducted in a safe, respectful environment either in-person or online with caring, nonjudgmental professional mentors.
- Students are expected to be honest and forthcoming about their experiences so they can get accurate support.
- Students are expected to bring important class materials - syllabi, assignments, calendars - and be prepared to review their attempts with a coach.
- Students are responsible for attending their appointments on-time and must reschedule any missed meetings.
