Why isn't St. Mary's College of Maryland a hot college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

So you think that only people with a BS in engineering go on to grad school in engineering? Think again.

Actually, I do. Almost 30 years working as an engineer, I don't believer I have ever met an engineer with masters/phd with non engineering bs degree such as physics.

Yoo hoo. Right here. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1,700 undergraduates. Not enough students - - some away for study abroad, some transfer, 1/4 turn over every year with graduation. It's just not enough students. Not enough for students to find their peer group and be satisfied. I think the state of Maryland should provide space for 3-4X as many students with facilities and on campus housing for all, then SMCM has a fighting chance at survival.

Not enough student to...what, fill a football stadium? I know, really sucks. Go team. Rah rah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

So let me get this straight. BS in physics but MS/Phd in engineering? Which field in engineering?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

So you think that only people with a BS in engineering go on to grad school in engineering? Think again.

Actually, I do. Almost 30 years working as an engineer, I don't believer I have ever met an engineer with masters/phd with non engineering bs degree such as physics.

Yoo hoo. Right here. Ask me anything.

See 655.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

So let me get this straight. BS in physics but MS/Phd in engineering? Which field in engineering?

Correct. Mechanical.

[Anonymous]

It's not hot because few people outside of Maryland have ever heard of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

So let me get this straight. BS in physics but MS/Phd in engineering? Which field in engineering?

Correct. Mechanical.

Interesting... I am a ME myself. Where/when did you learn basic ME courses such as Fluid Mechanics, Thermo, and Machine design courses?? I can't imagine (practicing) ME who doesn't know these basic ME principles. Are you a PE?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

So let me get this straight. BS in physics but MS/Phd in engineering? Which field in engineering?

Correct. Mechanical.

Interesting... I am a ME myself. Where/when did you learn basic ME courses such as Fluid Mechanics, Thermo, and Machine design courses?? I can't imagine (practicing) ME who doesn't know these basic ME principles. Are you a PE?

It's possible that there might be some per-requisites that need to be filled in but Physics gives you such a good understanding of "why" things happen that they would probably have a real advantage once the necessary missed course work is made up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

So let me get this straight. BS in physics but MS/Phd in engineering? Which field in engineering?

Correct. Mechanical.

Interesting... I am a ME myself. Where/when did you learn basic ME courses such as Fluid Mechanics, Thermo, and Machine design courses?? I can't imagine (practicing) ME who doesn't know these basic ME principles. Are you a PE?

It's possible that there might be some per-requisites that need to be filled in but Physics gives you such a good understanding of "why" things happen that they would probably have a real advantage once the necessary missed course work is made up.

Are you the Physics BS and Masters/Phd ME PP?

[Anonymous]

SMCM alum here. I agree that it is a hidden gem. Not the right fit for all students, but those who choose to be there tend to love it. It was a great fit for me academically and socially. I was able to excel in my STEM field, get research experience with faculty mentors, and had internships in my field every summer. I have lifelong friendships with similarly academically minded students. It is rural, so we were challenged to make our own fun on campus. There is a real sense of community and many traditions. I'd do it all again if I could. I went on to earn a PhD at an Ivy League university and now am a professor at a large research university. The quality of education at SMCM is far superior to the revolving door of adjuncts who teach the students at my school. Most of my peers went on to graduate school at some point and have successful professional careers. Let people sneer at it. They don't know what they're talking about.

[Anonymous]

I toured this college way back in '98. I remember thinking this place is too much like Dawson's Creek. I was impressed with the school overall but based on my personality - it wasn't a good fit. My dad still wishes I attended all these years later

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

So let me get this straight. BS in physics but MS/Phd in engineering? Which field in engineering?

Correct. Mechanical.

Interesting... I am a ME myself. Where/when did you learn basic ME courses such as Fluid Mechanics, Thermo, and Machine design courses?? I can't imagine (practicing) ME who doesn't know these basic ME principles. Are you a PE?

I'm the PP. I did make up some undergrad ME classes (mostly design, as you would imagine). I took the EIT but never went for the PE. Most of my work is in material science/solid mechanics and FE modeling.

[Anonymous]

If you want to claim students from SLACs can communicate better than students in highly specialized programs, you are most likely correct. The real question is did the SLAC have anything to do with creating this lead in communication skills or did the SLAC students walk into college with a lead and both the SLAC and research university improved communications equally?

See the thing is the other part of your statement, that SLAC students can think better than specialized students only applies to whatever they chose to study and think about in college. The specialized engineer can think circles around the SLAC student when it comes to the technical parts of their engineering major.

Similarly, their are all types of communication. I'm sure a SLAC student gain some communication skill capability to help say win an election on the engineer BUT the engineer almost certainly gained relative to the SLAC student in communicating the design of a new product to those who will actually have to put the product together.

"Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STEM is alive and well at SMCM and students in those majors are very successful in finding jobs and acceptances to graduate and professional school. In fact STEM majors at SMCM are more successful in graduating underrepresented groups in STEM, as compared to the national average. Plenty of physics majors go on to engineering, bio majors go on to meet school, CS majors get industry jobs, etc. Majors from SLACs are highly regarded by employers because they are well rounded and can adapt to the ever-changing job market. Students from SLACs can think and communicate, as a whole, better than students in highly specialized programs. For those in the market for a SLAC, public liberal arts is a steal. There aren't many--search for schools in COPLAC to find them. Diversity is relative--SMCM is much better than many SLACs but not as good as other schools in the state. (And ask yourself what you consider diverse--racial? First gen? Low SES? Some diversity stats are not as easy to see as others). Ask yourself this...does every student at UMCP or Towson or UMBC do a capstone or undergrad thesis? No. Only the top students are chosen. Every student at SMCM does. That's why it's an honors college. It doesn't matter what their acceptance rate is--look at what their graduates do. And look at graduation rates. The training there is top notch.

Ugh... bunch of non sense. Phys major going to engineering? What are you talking about??

I'm a physics major who went into engineering. Been doing it for over 20 years. What are you talking about?

So let me get this straight. BS in physics but MS/Phd in engineering? Which field in engineering?

Correct. Mechanical.

Interesting... I am a ME myself. Where/when did you learn basic ME courses such as Fluid Mechanics, Thermo, and Machine design courses?? I can't imagine (practicing) ME who doesn't know these basic ME principles. Are you a PE?

I'm the PP. I did make up some undergrad ME classes (mostly design, as you would imagine). I took the EIT but never went for the PE. Most of my work is in material science/solid mechanics and FE modeling.

Sheesh. I'm an engineer too, with mechanical background, and see plenty of physics majors. My job requires a degree from any of a variety of majors - aerospace, ME, EE, physics, materials, math... My husband is a phd EE and works with several physics phds. It's all applicable!