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Does anyone have kids applying here, awaiting financial aid packages or anything else you'd like to share about this school?

By Dadster on Saturday, March 16, 2002 - 09:28 pm: Edit

Which St. Mary's are you referring to, hsm?

By horseshowmom on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 12:11 am: Edit

St. Mary's College of California in Moraga.

By Scalar (Scalar) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 12:25 pm: Edit

My son is attending a program there this week and interviewing for a scholarhsip. Have heard good things from graduates of the school. Just wondering if the size might be a bit too small.

By Jyber209 (Jyber209) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 10:16 am: Edit

Here are a couple of lower-profile state schools I visited that might be of interest to those who want a small liberals arts experience at a state school price.

St. Mary's College in Maryland is a "public honors college." It has a lovely - although somewhat isolated - location (right on the Chesapeake Bay/sailing is available). The name St. Mary's comes from the town.
Small classes, beautiful setting (can look out on the water from some classroom windows), opportunities for close contact with professors, and a reasonable price are the big plusses here.
The school is, I believe, interested in attracting more out-of-staters to increase its national profile so students from outside Maryland might have a slight advantage - unusual for a state school.
On the down side, there did not seem to be a lot of cultural happenings on campus on the weekends, and the relatively isolated location limits other options. The school is an hour from either Washington or Baltimore but you would need a car to get there.

I would also suggest Mary Washington College in Virginia. This school was founded as the women's alternative to U of Va. - of course now both schools are co-ed. Mary Washington has the same Jeffersonian architecture and a beautiful campus. There is a well-regarded program in historic preservation. Each dorm has a 24-hour quiet study lounge. Again, classes tend to be relatively small for a state school.

By Zoto (Zoto) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 05:12 pm: Edit

Does anyone have anything to say about St. Mary's College of Maryland's reputation as a party school? Is it true? Is it better or worse than at other small colleges? Are there other things to do?

By Caitie531 (Caitie531) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:20 pm: Edit

Zoto,
I live in Moraga, CA where St. Mary's is located. I am a senior in high school this year - yes their rep for being a party school is true... I only know this because some of my friends like to go to parties there on the weekends.
Moraga is beautiful, but incredably boring. If you don't plan on having a car I wouldn't advise this a choice for you if you want to get out. The town is really small and you need a car to get around easily - even the bus system is pretty tricky to figure out.
If you do have a car, there's plenty of fun things to do in Berkeley, Oakland, SF, and even Walnut Creek.
Best of luck!
~Cait

By Penn3047 (Penn3047) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 12:40 pm: Edit

Listen people, I am currently a senior at the good ole' Saint Mary's College of California, and let me tell you how amazing it is.
The class sizes are something that are not easily found at other schools, and the liberal arts education is not to be missed.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Saint Marys, is the communication that is between Faculy and Staff, and Students. You truly KNOW your professors (i.e. I have many of their cell phone numbers on hand)

So, I would really consider Saint Mary's as an option, and I really wouldnt listen too much to other people's comments, who dont konw too much.

1- We are not really a party school, but parties are available if desired.
2- Even if you dont have a car, You can either take the bus, or more realistically, you will have a friend with a car.

Cait, you are in high school, I would refrain from trying to discuss matters of which you are not familiar. Since you do not attend Saint Mary's, nor seem to plan on applying there, I would not speak down about it.

By Innotof (Innotof) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 05:42 pm: Edit

I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I'm very interested in learning more a bout Saint Mary's. Penn3047, what major are you? I'm interested in biology and/or chemistry, along with philosophy or Integral. What do you know about any of these programs? At this point, I'm interested in learning anything and everything I can about the college, so feel free to write everything you know about it that a prospective student might want to know!

By Savedbythebell7 (Savedbythebell7) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 06:31 pm: Edit

St. Mary's (of California) isn't much of a party school, although i've been to some decent parties there, it is nothing like any other college (namely UCSB, SDSU..those are true party schools). Walnut Creek is a quaint little town close by with lots of resturants/a few bars and shopping/plus movie theatres. I believe you can get a really great education at St. Mary's, plus they offer a program in which you can graduate within three years, which is nice.

Sidenote: I'm not a student there, i'm just a senior who lives in Lafayette (neighboring town of Moraga).

By Penn3047 (Penn3047) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 07:20 pm: Edit

Dear Innotof,

I (Penn3407 is my cousins name) am an environmental Science major senior. If you are considering any of the science majors, I suggest you take a look at our new science building, JC Gatehouse. It is so nice, and actually pretty high tech.

Integral is a really small major, and is sorta a running joke of Saint Marys. Not that there is anything wrong with that major, but they are just few in number, and thus are considered a cult (haha)

I actually cant type long, but if you have any questions, you can contact anyone in our admissions department ( namely irene or gina) They are both really nice, and would be more than happy to help you. You can also tell them that Milad refered you.

Hope that helps!