interesting chats have me looking for in-state MD options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to St. Mary's College in the early 1980's on a full (academic) scholarship. Small--yes. White--yes. But an incredible academic experience. I went directly to graduate school and was very well prepared. All of my children have applied to SMCM and I have kept up with the academic changes and developments over the 30+ years since my graduation. SMCM is part of the UMD system--however, it has it's own separate board of trustees and can keep the monies from alumni donations. Larry Hogan tried to put an end to that in his first term--he wanted to abolish the independent board of trustees and divert SMCM's funding to the UMD system. The uproar from students, parents and alumni was earthshaking an put an end to that idea. However, the school went through some rough times 2010-2013 when Joseph Urgo came on as president; he fired the long time admissions director. Rich had great relationships with high schools and was key in keeping enrollment numbers solid in a competitive college market. Enrollment suffered, leading to the smallest freshman class in 2013. Those factors along with deferred maintenence, shenanigans from the state (see above) and lack of leadership led to the school's reputation taking an undeserved hit.
My DD graduated from SMCM in May. She was able to work closely with professors, to conduct original research, to present at conferences and has submitted articles for publications. Her experience is not unique. Her classmates are on their way to law schools and medical schools and top graduate programs. She got a remarkable education for a reasonable price.
Whenever I walk around town in SMCM gear I always get shout outs from alumni and parents of current students. The recented edition of Bethesda Magazine featured 6 extraordinary teachers--including one who is a recent graduate of SMCM.
I hope your DC likes the school. I sure did and still do.

My DD is a current SMCM student and this has been her experience as well. Loves it there and having great opportunities. I am also surprised how large and loyal the alumni network is for such a small school. I love that they have an annual reunion weekend every summer at the school. I know my DD is really looking forward to that once she graduates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:‘I had a great experience at school x’ is pointless storytelling. SMCM is struggling and the quality of students it attracts is dwindling. At this point Salisbury has a better crop of students. Read the CDS if you want to know what’s really happening.

Unsupported assertions are worse than personal anecdotes. If you have data, you should provide it. At least the PP had N=1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My chlid wanted a SLAC and gave St Mary's serious consideration. We were not sure where its trajectory would take it though, given enrollment and budget concerns.

Anecdotally, UMDCP just seemed so big that your child will get very little individual attention. That may be true of all large state schools, and I think MD is a strong one. But there are many smaller schools out there that give generous merit aid and help kids make the transition from living home to adulthood. They have lots of caring adults around who notice if someone is falling through the cracks.

+1

My MCPS magnet grads are very happy at at LACs, where we pay about $40K/year after merit scholarships. They were both admitted to UMD-CP but didn't want to attend a large university.

Could you please give us some examples of Slacs high achieving students such as your children should consider?

Examples include e.g. Grinnell, Denison, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Oberlin, Whitman, Clark, Allegheny, Wooster, St. John's.

WashU in St. Louis and Boston College award merit money, as does Brandeis - but it is so insanely competitive that it's a very long shot for even the highest achiever.

St. Mary's College of Maryland is a solid option as well.

Good list. Other good LACs where my DC received significant merit aid a couple years ago include Juniata and Muhlenberg. With aid, total COA came down to about $30-35k. Still not as low as MD in-state but better than paying $70k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:‘I had a great experience at school x’ is pointless storytelling. SMCM is struggling and the quality of students it attracts is dwindling. At this point Salisbury has a better crop of students. Read the CDS if you want to know what’s really happening.

Unsupported assertions are worse than personal anecdotes. If you have data, you should provide it. At least the PP had N=1.

Actually a little more than N=1. Facts and figures are in the CDS (which, thank you so much, I am very familiar with); I didn't see the dire warnings or portents of doom that the NP insinuates are contained therein. However, you can look no further than the sainted US News and World Report Rankings: #92 for National Liberal Arts Colleges. Given that there are about 550 liberal arts colleges in the US, that ranking is nothing to sneeze at.

Parents should spend less time acting as though college admissions are a zero sum game and/or promoting the idea that only a handful of schools are worthwhile and spend more time considering the real metrics of value---how you can get the best education for your child at a price you can afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:‘I had a great experience at school x’ is pointless storytelling. SMCM is struggling and the quality of students it attracts is dwindling. At this point Salisbury has a better crop of students. Read the CDS if you want to know what’s really happening.

Unsupported assertions are worse than personal anecdotes. If you have data, you should provide it. At least the PP had N=1.

Actually a little more than N=1. Facts and figures are in the CDS (which, thank you so much, I am very familiar with); I didn't see the dire warnings or portents of doom that the NP insinuates are contained therein. However, you can look no further than the sainted US News and World Report Rankings: #92 for National Liberal Arts Colleges. Given that there are about 550 liberal arts colleges in the US, that ranking is nothing to sneeze at.

Parents should spend less time acting as though college admissions are a zero sum game and/or promoting the idea that only a handful of schools are worthwhile and spend more time considering the real metrics of value---how you can get the best education for your child at a price you can afford.

+1000 very well said