<p>My son loved the campus and the school (he disliked schools in cities). He only applied to 3 schools, and this was one. He was accepted with an $8,000 merit scholarship last year.This would have brought the cost to the same as full pay for UCONN. Freshman are allowed cars, so getting to the airport or Amtrak isn’t that hard. Ultimately, he got into his dream program locally, and with half tuition merit so he chose that. There was alot of flak at St Mary’s when the Admissions staff was canned last spring. We liked these folks and had a great experience with the school. Although for this year, the financial distress caused by the mold problem may have something to do with some people’s decisions, a good admissions staff would have stepped up recruitment efforts and made adjustments. The president has some explaining to do.</p>
<p>I read the Washpost article this morning and felt sad. We visited the school back in 08 when older son was looking at colleges - I liked it more than he did and eventually another school was chosen. With the right person at the helm, there is no reason why SMCM can’t be an Evergreen State type of school - a public liberal arts college that changes lives. I believe they need to remediate more than the mold…</p>
<p>The “new direction” appears to be down the tubes. Urgo is nuts if he thinks his job isn’t in jeopardy.</p>
<p>FWIW, rockvillemom, nobody around here thinks it is easier to get into College Park than St. Mary’s. in my limited experience, the two schools generally do not appeal to the same kids.</p>
<p>I agree - very few kids would apply to both. I just meant that UMDCP is getting to be a harder admit than it was a few years ago, while St. Mary’s admit rate is now up to 72% - making it an easier admit than it was in the past. Many Maryland parents, especially those who attended UMDCP, are increasingly worried at their kids’ chances of acceptance to Maryland. But I also think that there are Maryland parents who might want to at least look at St. Marys, who assume that as the state honors college, it will be difficult to gain acceptance.</p>
<p>Agreed…</p>
<p>The Washington Post is reporting that Urgo has effectively thrown in the towel, asking the board not to renew his contract.</p>
<p>^ Yes, here’s the WaPo story:</p>
<p>[St</a>. Mary?s College president asks board not to renew his contract - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/st-marys-college-president-asks-board-not-to-renew-his-contract/2013/06/04/0f050f5a-cd5d-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html?hpid=z2]St”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/st-marys-college-president-asks-board-not-to-renew-his-contract/2013/06/04/0f050f5a-cd5d-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html?hpid=z2)</p>
<p>Of course, Urgo’s resignation doesn’t solve the immediate budget fix St. Mary’s is in.</p>
<p>No, it doesn’t. But given that Urgo (and his decisions) seemed unpopular across the board with administration, students and alumni alike, I have hope that this move will ultimately help this great little college get back on its feet again. I have yet to meet or talk to a student or alum who doesn’t love it there.</p>
<p>Hopefully this will allow people to see this as a blip rather than a decline. If they’re smart, they’ll rehire the admissions guy who was let go.</p>
<p>Somewhat related…St. Paul’s College will be closing its doors June 30th. I know nothing about this school.
[Saint</a> Paul’s College to close - Brunswick Times Gazette: News](<a href=“http://www.vancnews.com/brunswick_times_gazette/news/article_f4ace96a-cd26-11e2-b1e3-001a4bcf887a.html]Saint”>http://www.vancnews.com/brunswick_times_gazette/news/article_f4ace96a-cd26-11e2-b1e3-001a4bcf887a.html)</p>
<p>I would be very, very surprised if SMCM doesn’t get this straightened out in the next couple of years. Agree that if they can get the admissions guy who did well in their niche before back that would be great (he must feel vindicated, although sad for the school he worked so hard for).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not related at all. Apples to desk chairs.</p>
<p>Saint Paul’s College is a private HBCU affiliated with the Episcopal church.</p>
<p>Saint Mary’s is a public college, part of the Maryland university system.</p>
<p>An update from today’s Washington Post:</p>
<p>[St</a>. Mary?s College names interim president - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/st-marys-college-names-interim-president/2013/06/17/3502555a-d758-11e2-a9f2-42ee3912ae0e_story.html]St”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/st-marys-college-names-interim-president/2013/06/17/3502555a-d758-11e2-a9f2-42ee3912ae0e_story.html)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Still in need of 98 students for the fall.</p>
<p>I am not surprised Urgo left. I didn’t see anyway he could stay with this enrollment problem. </p>
<p>We got an email a few weeks ago advising of his departure. Got the email introducing the new president yesterday. </p>
<p>I hope the freshmen class gets more students before classes begin in the fall. Maybe they can make a push for transfers next year too. </p>
<p>The new president better do a better job of recruiting students.</p>
<p>I hope SMCM turns things around. My daughter and I visited in this past spring and we were pleasantly surprised by the campus and students - we knew absolutely nothing other than it is a small liberal arts college. The school and its students seem like a very good fit for DD.</p>
<p>Then the news about enrollment broke and my daughter’s interest plummeted. My daughter just finished her sophomore year, so I hope things turn around by her senior year and she regains interest. </p>
<p>Good news: it looks like they are picking up some freshman so hopefully they’ll reach their target by August.</p>