Messiah University International Student brochure

Campus Location

12 MILES

from the Pennsylvania state capital city of Harrisburg

1.5 hours from Baltimore

Overview

2 hours from Philadelphia

2 hours from Washington, D.C.

3 hours from New York City

only 20 minutes from Harrisburg’s train station, bus station and international airport

Messiah University, founded in 1909, is a nationally ranked, private Christian university with a diverse student body.

Campus location

Messiah’s scenic 375-acre suburban campus is located in central Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), providing easy access to urban centers such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Want to get a feel for the Messiah University experience? Follow us on social media!

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY OFFERS 150+

UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, allied health programs and pre-health professions

advising options.

Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI)

Every undergraduate student at Messiah University takes part in ELI. Before graduation, students must complete at least one of the following experiences: an internship, undergraduate research, a leadership position, service learning or an off-campus program. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to shape the ELI experience and to develop a “deliverable” such as a résumé, e-portfolio, website, LinkedIn profile or other professional presentation. This enables students to distinguish themselves and their experience among graduate schools or employers.

13:1 student/faculty ratio

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE: 20 STUDENTS

Why Messiah?

Coming to Messiah University from Malaysia has taught me a lot about American culture, self-discipline and creativity. I have met many amazing friends, professors and Messiah staff. They have shown me the inner workings of Messiah University that I would not have known about if I had never met them.

Business administration & studio art (3D)

—May Ratos ’25

NAVIGATE A FIELD OF IDEAS

Jonathan

96%

MESSIAH’S CLASSOF2022 EMPLOYEDOR IN GRADSCHOOL within 6-9 months after graduation*

Graduate and professional schools attended by Messiah graduates

• Harvard Law School

• Boston University

• Carnegie Mellon University

• Columbia University

• Cornell University

• Duke University

• Oxford University, U.K.

• University of Maryland

• University of Notre Dame

• University of Pennsylvania

• Yale University

Recent employers of Messiah graduates

• Apple

• Lockheed Martin

• Microsoft

eager employers and some of the nation’s best grad schools welcomed Messiah graduates into their organizations each year.

400

• Boeing

• Deloitte

• ESPN

• Fed Reserve

• Goldman Sachs

• KPMG

• Kraft Foods

• Pfizer Pharma

• Pricewaterhouse Coopers

• Vanguard

• Walt Disney Co.

Lorgunpai ’11 graduated from Messiah University with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology before graduating from Yale School of Medicine in 2015.

Apply

Messiah University operates on “rolling admission,” which means you typically receive an official admission decision within two weeks after submitting the following items:

1. Online application and personal statement

You can apply via Messiah’s website, messiah.edu/apply or through the Common App.

2. High school/college transcript(s) and national exam results (if applicable)

3. Official test scores (e.g. SAT, ACT, CLT, TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE or Duolingo English Test)

4. Affidavit of Support with corresponding reliable financial documentation

27 average ACT score of a Messiah University student

3.3 average high school GPA of a Messiah University student

Tests to take

Not sure what tests you should take? Here is what we recommend:

• If you attend an English-language high school or want to be considered for our highest merit scholarship awards, take the SAT, ACT or CLT.

• If you attend a school with non-English instruction, submit your TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores (80 minimum TOEFL, 6.5 minimum IELTS, 53 minimum Pearson PTE, 105 minimum Duolingo English Test).

• If you take national or international exams at your school, you must submit your results (IGCSE, O levels, WASSCE, etc.).

TIP: We will waive the application fee each year for students who apply between July 1 and November 15 through the Messiah app.

OFADMITTED STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIALAID 100%

Scholarships

All international students will be reviewed for merit and need-based scholarships using their application documents.

How much does it cost to attend Messiah University?

$39,700

$940

$5,575 food

$3,360

$55,910 $21,800 average transfer student aid 2023-2024

Scholarships

$28,610

fees, $34,110 average total cost = –

food

Messiah University offers a variety of competitive scholarships that recognize the achievements of incoming students. Academic scholarships at Messiah acknowledge students who have performed well academically. Scholarships range from $1,000 to full tuition and remain with you throughout your time at Messiah, as long as you continue to meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for each scholarship, such as a minimum GPA or other criteria.

Provost’s scholarship

First-year students $14,000 – $16,000

Transfer students $12,500 – $15,000

Messiah University scholarship $10,000

Honors Program scholarships

Trustees full tuition

President’s $5,000 Faculty $1,500

Visual and performing arts scholarships

Vollmer $5,000

Shaffer-Goodling $3,500

Dean’s scholarship $1,000

Additional scholarships

Dean’s scholarship $1,000

International $1,000 – $14,000 Financial Aid*

Less than you might think!

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN THE GREATER HARRISBURG AREA

1. Visit City Island to watch a Harrisburg Senators baseball game.

2. Hike on various trails, including the world-famous Appalachian Trail.

3. Practice your skiing and snowboarding skills at Ski Roundtop.

4. See your favorite singer or band in concert at the local arena.

5. Have a chocolate-filled day at Hershey’s Chocolate World and Amusement Park.

6. Explore historic Gettysburg.

7. Shop at any of the surrounding outlet malls.

8. Try different restaurants on 2nd Street in downtown Harrisburg.

9. Go ice skating at the local ice rink.

10. Cheer on the Messiah Falcons at a sporting event.

Life on campus

• Grab a quick bite to eat with friends at one of four campus eateries.

• Linger beside (or go tubing in!) the Yellow Breeches Creek that flows through campus.

• Join one of Messiah’s numerous intramural sports leagues.

• Check out an art exhibition, fascinating speakers or a Messiah Falcons sporting event.

• On weekends, screen a movie at Parmer Cinema or enjoy B-sides—a free concert series featuring up-and-coming artists.

Orientation at Messiah

Be the first to arrive at Messiah University for a personalized International, MK and TCK student and family orientation.

After your international orientation, life as a Messiah student continues with Welcome Week, an orientation experience specially designed for all first-year and transfer students.

• Meet your roommates, floor mates and residence assistants (a.k.a. RAs they’re here to help you any way they can!).

• Meet your professors, your academic advisor and your student orientation group.

• Participate in our traditional candlelight service for you and your family.

• Sign up for clubs and organizations. There’s a lot for you to choose from!

• Compete in the annual First-Year Games. They’re a lot of fun and help build a sense of residence hall team spirit and pride.

CONCERTS, DANCES, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ART EXHIBITIONS, SPEAKERS AND MORE!

International student programs

ALL OF THE WAYS

we support our international, MK and TCK students

• ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN THE U.S.: semester-long, one-credit course to facilitate students’ transition to the U.S. while strengthening the connection to Messiah’s international community

• INTERNATIONAL AND MISSIONARY PEER ADVISORS (IMPA): mentor program for new international, MK and TCK students by current international, MK and TCK students

• INTERNATIONAL GALA: annual event held each spring to celebrate the diversity of culture that our community of international students brings to Messiah

• INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION AND MISSIONARY KIDS (ISA/MU KAPPA): student-run group provides an ongoing network of encouragement and fun activities

• PERSONALIZED F-1 STUDENT VISA ADVISING: assistance provided to students on an F-1 visa to help navigate immigration and administrative issues

• RAFIKI HOUSE: a dedicated gathering space for international, MK and TCK students

Multicultural student organizations

Multicultural Council (@MUmulticulturalcouncil)

African Student Union (ASU) (@messiahuniversityasu)

Asian Student Association (ASA) (@mu_asianstudentassociation)

Black Student Union (BSU) (@messiah_bsu)

Caribbean Student Association (@messiah.csa)

International Student Association/ MuKappa (ISA/MuKappa) (@isamukappa)

La Alianza Latina (LAL) (@laalianzalatina)

80+ majors offered at Messiah University

Accounting

Actuarial Science

Applied Health Science

Art, Studio

Biblical and Religious Studies

Biochemistry

Biochemistry (ACS-certified)

Biology

Biomedical Engineering

Biopsychology

Broadcasting and Journalism

Business Administration

Chemistry

Chemistry (ACS-certified)

Chinese Studies

Christian Ministries and Leadership

Civil Engineering

Communication

Computer and Information Science

Criminal Justice

Cybersecurity

Dance

Digital Media

Economic Development

Economics

Electrical Engineering

Engineering

English

Environmental Science

Film and Media Arts

Finance

Graphic Design

History

Human Development and Family Science

International Business

Marketing

Mathematics

Mechanical Engineering

Molecular Biology

Music

Music (Music and Worship)

Music Performance

Musical Theatre

Nursing

Nutrition and Dietetics

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy

Physics

Politics and International Relations Psychology

Public History

Public Relations

Robotics Engineering

Social Work

Sociology and Anthropology

Spanish

Sport Management

Sustainability Studies

Theatre

Youth Ministries

Majors leading to teaching certification

Art Education (K–12)

Biology with Secondary Teaching Certification (7–12)

Chemistry with Secondary Teaching Certification (7–12)

Chinese Studies with Teaching Certification (K–12)

Computer Science with Teaching Certification (K–12)

Education with Dual Teaching Certification (grades PreK–4) and Special Education (PreK–12)

Education with Teaching Certification in Grades 4–8

Education with Teaching

Certification in Grades PreK–4

English with Secondary Teaching Certification (7–12)

Family and Consumer Sciences Education (K–12)

Health and Physical Education with Teaching Certification (K–12)

History with Secondary Social Studies Teaching Certification (7–12)

Mathematics with Secondary Teaching Certification (7–12)

Music Education with Teaching Certification (K–12)

Physics with Secondary Teaching Certification (7–12)

Spanish with Teaching Certification (K–12)

Special Education (N–12) with Teaching Certification (PreK–12)

Accelerated and early assurance programs

Athletic Training (B.S./MSAT) –5-year accelerated Business Administration (Bachelor’s/MBA) – 5-year accelerated

Occupational Therapy (B.S./MOT) –5-year accelerated Politics and International Relations (B.A. at Messiah/ M.S. in public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University) – 5-year accelerated Occupational Therapy –early assurance program (Bachelor’s/MOT)

Physical Therapy – early assurance program (Bachelor’s/DPT)

Pre-health professions advising

Pre-Audiology

Pre-Chiropractic

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Medical (D.O.)

Pre-Medical (M.D.)

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Podiatry

Pre-Public Health

Pre-Veterinary

Students interested in health careers receive specialized advising to develop a course of study that ensures they meet all undergraduate prerequisites necessary for graduate school admittance.

Visit messiah.edu/pre-health

To search a full list of our majors,plus minors and concentrations,visit messiah.edu/majors