<p>This question is for anyone who goes to St. Mary's... Does the rural location get to you after awhile? When i visited, there seemed to be a sufficient variety of on-campus activities and the students were very liberal....but the school is just so isolated from the world. Do students there think on a global level, or are they tend to have a limited world view?</p>
<p>Also, how strong is the English department?</p>
<p>The head of the English Dept is the current Maryland Poet Laureate, Michael S. Glaser, PhD. Also on staff is the 1979-1985 Maryland Poet Laureate, Lucille Clifton. They both are well credentialed. <a href="http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/poet.html#former%5B/url%5D">http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/poet.html#former</a></p>
<p>My daughter will be SMCM '09. She was accepted into their Nitze Scholars program.</p>
<p>As a parent, I can't tell you firsthand about the rural location. We know several grads who have loved it. Their freshman retention is decent. Some current students we spoke with said that being near/on the water was very centering, sunsets reflected in the water were gorgeous. Any student can use the sailboats and windboards free. They've just completed a new gym with huge pool and climbing wall. </p>
<p>The location is rural but the quality of life seems GREAT. It is only an hour or so to DC in non-rush times. Some say it's a big party school because there is nothing close to do. I think the kids work hard and play hard. A current freshman said there are always weekend parties in the townhouses and yes, a freshman can dare enter. A recent grad of U-MD College Park said St Mary's parties were awful as they ended too early, not all-nighters. I guess it's all in how you look at it.</p>
<p>Freshman CAN have cars. McD's, IHOP, Target, BJ's, plus ??? are all 10-15 minutes away. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Does anyone have any information about St. Mary's science departments (biology/chemistry) and how it fares for pre-med students? Any info about science research and health-related internship options?</p>