St. Mary's College of MD

[Anonymous]

I'm really intrigued by St. Mary's College of MD, looking ahead for my DD. I know it will not be my college search, but she will likely need and want some guiding and I sense it could be a really good fit, and we are from MD (MCPS), so obviously it is financially appealing.

Can anyone share recent experiences, and, if their child goes there or seriously considered it, a little bit about them (i.e., stats and personality)? I don't want to share too much about my DD because I don't want to skew the responses, if that makes sense.

I'm also interested in other schools students there considered, or where students who applied there by didn't attend did decide to attend, especially if in state.

TIA.

[Anonymous]

We considered it for our kids but, in the end, they decided against it - too remote, too relaxed were their main reasons. Good fit for certain kids, not so for others.

[Anonymous]

My child considered both SMCM and Salisbury but ended up at UMD. He was undecided at the time but ended up business major and I would have preferred Salisbury (Perdue business) over SMCM (liberal arts). The campus is very pretty, but it is a remote area.

[Anonymous]

It's on my DD's list. She is focused on small colleges with good programs for environmental science. For her, the main con is that there isn't really any town. For an Eastern Shore location, she seems to prefer Washington College & Chestertown. But, probably needs to revisit once all the acceptances/aid awards are in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's on my DD's list. She is focused on small colleges with good programs for environmental science. For her, the main con is that there isn't really any town. For an Eastern Shore location, she seems to prefer Washington College & Chestertown. But, probably needs to revisit once all the acceptances/aid awards are in.

My DD is at SMCM (sopomore) and they have environmental studies (which is my daughter's minor), not environmental science. There's a big difference, so keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Too remote for my city-oriented kid.

A friend's kid attends and loves it. They decided to attend partly to save money for an expensive graduate school program. The cost is appealing. The parents seem pleased and reported that kid is happy.

A different friend visited and said she felt the school wasn't as rigorous as her science kid would like and also reported that the campus is gorgeous. They chose UMD.

I hoped mine would be open to it, but they are focused on less remote schools. So, this is a great location for some and not for others. Just depends what your student wants the most. I've been down that way for events and don't love the drive so make sure this all works for you.

[Anonymous]

Other schools to consider: UNC-Asheville, Dickinson, University of Mary Washington, Washington College, Eckerd if being near ocean is a priority.

[Anonymous]

I’m also interested in current experiences. Is there anything to do on the weekends? DC has visited and has applied.

[Anonymous]

UMBC could be an option. Since you are in MD, look at Stevenson in Owings Mill. And as mentioned by others, Washington College.

[Anonymous]

Too small for my current senior - the entire college is less than half the number of students in their HS!

[Anonymous]

Not OP. An acquaintance mentioned to us that there is a (preppy?) sailing culture and if you aren't into the water activities, you'll be out of place. Can anyone speak to that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's on my DD's list. She is focused on small colleges with good programs for environmental science. For her, the main con is that there isn't really any town. For an Eastern Shore location, she seems to prefer Washington College & Chestertown. But, probably needs to revisit once all the acceptances/aid awards are in.

My DD is at SMCM (sopomore) and they have environmental studies (which is my daughter's minor), not environmental science. There's a big difference, so keep that in mind.

Yes, she knows. If she went there she would be a biology major/env studies minor.

[Anonymous]

My kids went there but it was during Covid so they really didn't like it. Too far away from home and nothing to do..this might be different now or before Covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP. An acquaintance mentioned to us that there is a (preppy?) sailing culture and if you aren't into the water activities, you'll be out of place. Can anyone speak to that?

My DD graduated from St. Mary's in 2021 and I can definitely say that the culture is anything but "preppy". The campus revolves around the waterfront but most students don't sail (though the sailing classes are definitely popular). There are paddle boards and kayaks the students can use but mostly they just like to hang out on the docks or have bonfires along the river. My impression is that it is a very inclusive, accepting, and kind place. Since there is no Greek life, the students have parties and activities for the whole campus. My DD wasn't much of a partier but she loved going to the all-campus parties and really missed them during the Covid times. There is a really nice community feeling there. Most students live on campus all 4 years and there was lots happening on campus on the weekends. It is definitely small and relatively remote so it isn't a school for everyone. But, it really isn't that remote (tons of shopping a 20 minute car or shuttle ride away) and that helps keep everyone on campus and involved in activities and performances. She really got to know her professors and had some great internships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's on my DD's list. She is focused on small colleges with good programs for environmental science. For her, the main con is that there isn't really any town. For an Eastern Shore location, she seems to prefer Washington College & Chestertown. But, probably needs to revisit once all the acceptances/aid awards are in.

My DD is at SMCM (sopomore) and they have environmental studies (which is my daughter's minor), not environmental science. There's a big difference, so keep that in mind.

Yes, she knows. If she went there she would be a biology major/env studies minor.

That is a very popular combination at SMCM. They also have a new Marine Science major.