Freshman Next Steps
Congratulations on your acceptance and welcome to the University of Detroit Mercy family! Here, you'll find a vibrant, close-knit, socially active community where people know your name and take the time to say "hello." We take pride in our foundational values of rigorous learning and world service. We're committed to building the ethical leaders of tomorrow and making sure you'll enter the world ready to make a positive impact on society. We are excited to see you on campus in the fall.
-
Visit campus
Schedule a trip to Detroit Mercy, where you can watch an admission presentation and take a walking tour of campus with a current student. By making an official campus visit, you will also earn the Visit Grant — worth $4,000 — to use over four years when you enroll at Detroit Mercy. -
File the FAFSA
All new students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to become eligible for financial aid. The 2025-26 FAFSA form is currently open. Be sure to list Detroit Mercy first on your form (School Code: 002323).
-
Review your financial aid and accept your award on My Portal
My Portal is your Detroit Mercy student portal for conducting University business, including viewing your scholarship and financial aid package, registering for classes and checking class grades. You can access My Portal at my.udmercy.edu. Log in information will be sent via email.
-
Accept your offer and submit your enrollment deposit
Say yes! To accept your offer of admission, log in to your admission portal, complete the reply form and submit your $300 enrollment deposit. Some programs have limited capacity; therefore, we can only guarantee your space once we have received your enrollment deposit.
Enrollment deposits submitted prior to May 1 are fully refundable upon written request to admissions@udmercy.edu. Requests must be received no later than May 1, 2025.
-
Take placement tests
Academic advisors use placement test results to determine the appropriate level of classes for new students. Placement tests need to be completed at least two weeks before attending freshman orientation (SOAR) this summer.
- All students are required to take the math and English placement tests.
- Students in an engineering, science or pre-health program may choose to take the chemistry placement test.
- Students who wish to take a foreign language beyond the first level are required to take a foreign language placement test.
-
Request official college transcript/score report
If you have earned college credits or taken an AP/IB exam, it is recommended that you have the official transcript or score report sent to Detroit Mercy before meeting with your academic advisor and registering for classes. Official college transcripts should be sent directly from the college you attended to admissions@udmercy.edu. You can request AP exam results from the College Board and IB exam results from the International Baccalaureate Organization.
-
Participate in orientation
Our orientation program consists of two parts (SOAR and PTV) and is required for incoming freshmen during their transitory summer.
Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) is an overnight event that gives you the opportunity to become more familiar with collegiate life at Detroit Mercy. You will meet other new students, tour university facilities, learn about available resources and register for classes. SOAR will take place during the summer months. Click here to learn more and register for SOAR.
Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints (PTV) is a three-day program comprised of meeting faculty, connecting with current students and immersing yourself in the culture and history of Detroit. PTV takes place the week before classes begin. Click here to learn more and register for PTV.
Parent Orientation is a full-day program that is offered in conjunction with SOAR. Guests will meet deans, faculty and support personnel to learn about the campus resources available to help their students achieve success. Parent Orientation takes place during the summer months. Click here to learn more and register for Parent Orientation.
-
Submit a Residence Hall Application
If you are interested in living on campus, you will need to submit a Residence Hall Application. Have your My Portal log in credentials (sent to you via email) available to access the application; contact Admissions if you need assistance in retrieving this information. Students living on campus will receive their room assignment along with information about the move-in process during the summer months.
-
Complete loan requirements
Complete loan requirements, if applicable. Step-by-step instructions can be found here. -
Request a final high school transcript
Send your final high school transcript to the Office of Admissions before classes begin. To continue as a student at Detroit Mercy and receive financial aid, your final transcript must be on file at the University.
Please request to have your transcript sent via Parchment (or your high school's preferred electronic document service provider). An official paper transcript can be mailed to:
Office of Admissions
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221-3038 -
Complete the TB Questionnaire
Complete the online TB Questionnaire related to tuberculosis risk. For more information, visit the Wellness Center webpage.
-
Request accessibility accommodations
Student Accessibility Services at Detroit Mercy facilitates accommodations and advocates for students with disabilities. To request an accommodation, visit the Student Accessibility Services webpage.