<p>It's a little early for us (my D is in 10th grade) but we are already looking. It is a possible safe school, based on their stats and in state cost, but I know nothing about it.</p>
<p>St. Mary's College of Maryland is the in-state public small liberal arts college. In other words if you are in-state, you pay tuition roughly equivalent to U of MD at College Park, but you get this cozy little liberal arts college experience. Every year the best students at my daughter's HS (10th grade) apply there, and every year some of them go. These are kids who also are admitted to the honors program at U of MD College Park. I don't know if it can be considered a "safety" for anyone because I take it admissions is pretty competitive (for the MD public system). You'd have to check with your HS guidance office to find out about that one.</p>
<p>Thanks. Yes we are in-state so the cost is affordable. I do not know anyone who actually went there though.</p>
<p>We have been considering it for my D. It has a very good reputation, it is very competetive lately. As an example, my D's rather competetive independent hs gets about 90% of a large number of kids who applied into University of MD, but only 40% to 50% of a small number of kids who applied got in to St. Mary's. </p>
<p>It is small, a bit remote, very beautiful. I think with the economy being the way it is, it will be very attractive to a lot of in state families. My D thinks it is probably too remote. My D did like Washington College though, which seems similar to me, but more expensive - but at least connected to Chestertown, and pretty close to Annapolis. </p>
<p>I don't actually know anyone currently going there. We were going to go to the open house there this Saturday, but we had to cancel. (so go get our spot and check it out this weekend!)</p>
<p>Can't this weekend. I have family in town. I am sure they will have another open house at some point. It seems really nice from everything I read about it. I was just hoping for some personal opinions.</p>
<p>We have a family member who graduated about six years ago. He had a great experience. He was a college sailor, and the sailing program is one of the best in the nation. It is the kind of school where professors notice (and care) if a student doesn't show up to class, which was the right kind of supportive environment that he needed.
The school is isolated, and there is quite a bit of drinking (the Green Door is a nearby dive bar frequented by students).</p>
<p>I graduated from St. Mary's in 06 and had an amazing experience there. I agree strongly with the comments made in the above posts. The school is academically challenging and encourages students to engage. The faculty and staff truly care about the students they interact with. When I look back at my education at St. Mary's I can name three faculty and staff members that had a profound impact on who I am today. They allowed me to grow how I needed to grow. I would encourage you to do a weekday visit if you have the chance when school is in session. I deeply respect everyone that works in the admissions office and they are very connected to the student body.</p>
<p>I would be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.</p>
<p>A number of coworkers and friends have had sons and daughters go there. It is a dream school for those who want the same atmosphere of a private liberal arts college at a lower price. It has been ranked highly in many surveys. It has a beautiful location, near the water. It is popular with good students who do not want to attend the large public universities. Class size is small, except for one freshman required course (which has about 90 per class). My contacts have all been happy with it. It is remote though, and located in a small town.</p>
<p>a lot of kids from my school end up there. The admissions director comes to our school every year to talk to jouniors about applying to colleges. Its a good school with good people. I personally have heard stories about horrible dorms, but they might have fixed them. Definanlty apply its a good school. Also, u should look at applying for scholarships from the archdiocies of washington because i recieved a small scholarship from them for catholic highschool</p>