Should we look at St Mary's?

[Anonymous]

DS is a junior. We are from VA but he attends a MD school. Some of his senior friends have applied to St. Mary's, so he wants to look at it, but I know very little about it. DS says it is the William and Mary of MD, but it appears to be much less selective. His grades and scores put him in the range for W&M and UVA. Does it make sense to look at St. Mary's for such a student? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It's a good option for MD students but definitely not worth it if you can pay instate tuition at UVA or W&M.

[Anonymous]

Is it better than the honors program at U MD College Park?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it better than the honors program at U MD College Park?

Seems like they are apples and oranges. So the question is better for what? What does your DC want to study? St Mary's is a small liberal arts focused college in a remote location. UMD is a big university in a more urban location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a junior. We are from VA but he attends a MD school. Some of his senior friends have applied to St. Mary's, so he wants to look at it, but I know very little about it. DS says it is the William and Mary of MD, but it appears to be much less selective. His grades and scores put him in the range for W&M and UVA. Does it make sense to look at St. Mary's for such a student? Thanks.

Didn't they have a problem filling their freshmen class last fall? I don't think that would have been an issue at the Virginia schools.

I don't think there's any benefit of attending that school over UMW or CNU (if he wanted a smaller alternative to the bigger schools in Virginia).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a junior. We are from VA but he attends a MD school. Some of his senior friends have applied to St. Mary's, so he wants to look at it, but I know very little about it. DS says it is the William and Mary of MD, but it appears to be much less selective. His grades and scores put him in the range for W&M and UVA. Does it make sense to look at St. Mary's for such a student? Thanks.

Didn't they have a problem filling their freshmen class last fall? I don't think that would have been an issue at the Virginia schools.

I don't think there's any benefit of attending that school over UMW or CNU (if he wanted a smaller alternative to the bigger schools in Virginia).

It wasn;t the case of finding them it is the case of them being admitted. The old President was a prick who wanted to make it like some fancy private school instead of a highly respected state school. He got the boot. The freshmen class was about 20% smaller that year before he got booted.

It is a good school and for the people who go there it is what they want. some like it some rag on it.

Our kids wil look at it and see if it is for them. they have really good grades and we arel etting them pick their school. so if they pick an ivy or community college we are fine with that

[Anonymous]

We thought about it. I think if you live in Md and want a good, affordable liberal arts college, it is worth the look for sure. As far as the student body, I believe the test scores etc. as of about a year or two back were similar with College Park, with U Md, as one would expect, tilted a bit higher on the STEM side and St. Mary's comparable or tilted a tad up on humanities -- but both close. The prior reader who said apples and oranges is correct. I am sure you can have a good education both places, and it really depends on the experience a child wants.

That said, OP you live in VA and if your DC can get into William & Mary that is a unique public school because it is so much smaller than a Md or UVA, but still much larger than a St. Mary's. W&M probably has a larger out of state student body than St. Mary's. T

[Anonymous]

W&M is a much better school than St. Mary's. With you getting in-state for W&M, its not even a close question.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for this is helpful info. He wanted to look at it as a "safety" in case he doesn't get into W&M or UVA but the PP who suggested looking at the less selective VA state schools for tha has a good point. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

For in state its a great alternative school, and the campus is gorgeous. No comparison to William and Mary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for this is helpful info. He wanted to look at it as a "safety" in case he doesn't get into W&M or UVA but the PP who suggested looking at the less selective VA state schools for tha has a good point. Thanks again.

If you are looking for an affordable safety, I'd suggest Mary Washington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for this is helpful info. He wanted to look at it as a "safety" in case he doesn't get into W&M or UVA but the PP who suggested looking at the less selective VA state schools for tha has a good point. Thanks again.

^ This, unless he wants to pursue sailing.