I am skeptical about the merit aid - my daughter was not offered very much and was way over their average test scores, GPA, etc. she got much better offers from better schools.

I know. We had the same experience, but I would try them now because things can change. I think they may have learned from past experience. It's definitely worth a try. I think that it has a lot going for it in many ways.

I went there in the 80s . I am a city girl but loved the remote beautiful campus and the feeling of community there. I am upset my DD who is a senior didn't even consider it ( she has been there TONS of times) and wanted an urban campus. I think it's a special, cool place. I have former classmates whose kids are there now and echo the same sentiments

I wish they would recruit more in Montgomery County and DC. It looks like a fantastic school. MD needs its own "William & Mary" type school and this could be it!

I went to SMCM and absolutely loved it. My classes were wonderful and I still keep in touch with many of my professors. The community is so welcoming and the campus on the river is beautiful. I did go on to graduate school and I wouldn't change anything about my undergraduate experience. The area around PAX naval air base has grown up a lot since I went to school there. I liked the campus being somewhat remote because I felt it helped the sense of community on campus. Some schools I visited with more "stuff" around them didn't seem to have the vibrant and quirky campus culture that St. Mary's has. It also has a really nice biology program for a small school and you often get to do lots of research with your professors, which in many ways can be a better experience than an internship. I'd highly suggest visiting and applying if it interests you. I absolutely loved it there and I know so many other grads who feel the same way. Best of luck!

No merit with 3.0. St. Mary is suffering from low revenue/low enrollment. They need full pay students.

I am skeptical about the merit aid - my daughter was not offered very much and was way over their average test scores, GPA, etc. she got much better offers from better schools.
That said, the campus is absolutely gorgeous and seems like a very welcoming environment. The classes are high quality. Too bad there is NOTHING anywhere nearby - it is extremely remote. An off-campus job or internship or even an excursion seems unlikely.
The way far away from anything location might lose its magic after a year or two but i guess that depends on the kid. Maybe spending an overnight would help give a better idea of campus life. But you would have to know a student to arrange this, the admissions office does not offer an overnight program.

It is out of nowhere. Just so you know, OP.

I would try for it. We visited there and had a very good impression of it. Beautiful campus, small classes, discussion based. It's true that they have had trouble filling their classes recently, but I think that may put you in a good situation for getting some merit aid (believe it or not). It's worth a try.

It was one of my son's top two choices. He ended up at his other choice, but DH and I would have chosen St. Mary's.

My office has hired several people from there..

3.0 is probably ok, but 2.9 is not. Maryland public colleges are getting crazy about numbers - even Salisbury is refusing to take people below a 3.0.

Anonymous wrote:I like the school, but I'd only go if you knew you were definitely going to graduate school. People outside the area will never have heard of it.

I (went to grad. school and) worked with someone who went there. She was really sharp. I've also had a very smart colleague who sent his daughter there. So my only associations with the school are positive.

I've also read that they've had trouble filling their classes in recent years.

Anonymous wrote:I like the school, but I'd only go if you knew you were definitely going to graduate school. People outside the area will never have heard of it.

This is true.

I like the school, but I'd only go if you knew you were definitely going to graduate school. People outside the area will never have heard of it.

What's your test score? and Wt GPA? Are you URM? Full pay?

Can you tell me about St. Mary's please ? Is my GPA of 3.0 unweighted too low to get accepted ?

thank you.