Merrimack Facts & FAQS

How many majors and what types of majors does Merrimack offer?

Merrimack offers 30 major areas of study in the liberal arts and sciences, business administration, engineering, education and computer science. The newest academic programs include criminology, biotechnology and sport management. The college offers pre-professional programs in law, dental and medical areas. The sports medicine major offers concentrations in pre-physical therapy as well as strength and conditioning. We also offer a major in athletic training.

Additionally, you can customize your academic career through double majors, double-degree programs, minors and self-designed courses of study.

What type of housing is available at Merrimack?

It's a great time to live on campus at Merrimack! Merrimack offers various types of housing to accommodate the needs of individual students. The newest residence,Santagati Hall, is home to 210 students and is named in honor of the college's fifth president, Richard J. Santagati. The John E. Deegan O.S.A. (another former president) residence hall for first year students opened in 1998. There are two additional residence halls, Ash Centre and Monican Centre, which contain both suites and double-occupancy rooms. These residences provide first and second year students with an opportunity to live together in community.

The college also offers townhouses and apartments - residences usually selected by upperclassmen as they provide more freedom than the larger residence halls. There are 14 townhouse buildings, each housing between 10 and 12 students. The apartments, St. Thomas and St. Ann, of which there are 70, each have two bedrooms, one full bath and one half bath. Residents of the apartments are not required to purchase the college meal plan, as the apartments have cooking facilities.

Merrimack also offers theme housing, which provides students with an alternative to traditional residence hall living. Students can enhance their formal education with interest-specific learning in a community setting.

How does Merrimack rank in U.S. News & World Report's annual guidebook to the best colleges?

For the tenth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Merrimack College highly among peer institutions.  Merrimack is currently listed as one of the Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the 2008 rankings of colleges nationwide.  In its previous categories prior to 2008, U.S. News & World Report ranked Merrimack a top ten comprehensive regional school for seven years. 

What offerings does Merrimack have to prepare me for the 'real world'?

Merrimack's Cooperative Education Program is truly among the best of its kind in the Northeast.
Co-op students work in a job related to their field, gain invaluable experience and earn money for college. Students in science and engineering, business, and liberal arts can participate in Merrimack's Co-op program. The program is so successful it has been awarded grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

Merrimack's Career Services Department works diligently with students to help them determine their interests and strengths as well as helping to secure internship placements for them. Career Services offers workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, job search strategies, graduate school preparation and much more. The opportunities are here...it's up to each individual student to take advantage of them.

What do students at Merrimack do on the weekend?

With so many student-sponsored events and activities, there's always something happening on campus. Whether it be a film, play, or concert, there's never a lack of fun! And with such close proximity to Boston (just 25 miles!), there's always tons of sporting events, museums and concerts to attend. Merrimack is also just a short drive away from the beaches and historic towns of New England as well as the mountains and skiing of New Hampshire and Vermont. If you prefer to stay close to campus, downtown Andover offers bookstores, coffee shops and trendy boutiques.

What types of athletic sports can I play at Merrimack?

There are a variety of athletic offerings at Merrimack - no matter your skill level. Students can choose from 16 varsity sports, intramurals and club sports. Intramural sports include basketball, dodge ball, hockey, soccer, softball, ultimate frisbee, volleyball and wiffle ball. Merrimack's varsity sports teams have captured two NCAA Division II championships, and a number of Northeast-10 Conference championships. Not only are the Merrimack's student-athletes successful on the field or in the rink, but also in the classroom. Last year, 45 Merrimack student-athletes were named to the Northeast-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, and seven players from Merrimack's hockey program were Hockey East All-Academic selections.

What kinds of clubs and organizations are active on Merrimack's campus?

With more than 40 clubs and organizations, there's a group for everyone. Whether you're considering auditioning for an On-Stagers Dramatic Society production, working on the yearbook, or singing in the college's concert choir, there's plenty of opportunity to get involved. Merrimack also prides itself on its community outreach groups like MerrimAction, a volunteer coalition coordinated through the office of Campus Ministry. Campus Ministry also arranges off-campus student retreats during the academic year through M.O.R.E. (Merrimack Out-Reach Experience). And there's the Alternative Spring Break trip which provides students with the opportunity to minister to the poor for one week in March. Past Alternative Spring Break trips have included Santo Domingo and Haiti.