<p>Congratulations on your acceptance! SMC is a fantastic school! If you would like more info, PM me. I graduated from SMC, as did my sister. I also have a freshman at ND now, with many friends at SMC, so I have a little insight into what the experience is.</p>
<p>my mom went to SMC and i, as her son, can't wait to meet the SMC girls. She and my dad have repeatedly told me to look at classes I can take at SMC and hang out with those girls.</p>
<p>Overall, my mom said she felt like she would choose SMC for sure over ND even today because you're completely part of ND, but you have a whole other world of which you can be a part.</p>
<p>My daughter graduated from Saint Mary's a couple of year's ago and to say the least, really enjoyed it. She was married this past summer (ND student) with a reception full of ND and Saint Mary's friends from all over the country. They were a wonderful group and have remained very close. Hopefully, that is indicative of what kind of institution you are about to attend and the friends you are about to meet. Good luck!</p>
<p>I just went jogging at St. Mary's over the weekend. I had never been there before so it was a bit of an adventure. I must say that I find that campus wholely more attractive than Notre Dame's. Fewer people. Better architecture. River rather than lakes. And when I was tooling around in the woods I saw two deer go by. Beautiful little place I must say. That's all I know though.</p>
<p>AC - we've messaged before so you know my feelings about Saint Mary's. The two schools are very different yet their shared history will forever link the two communities. Each does an outstanding job fulfilling their mission. SMC's mission happens to be educating women so it's smaller and less well known. Our story is similar to westcoast in that my daughter has a terrific group of friends at both schools. </p>
<p>Yes - you can attend games, try out for various musical groups, work for The Observer, and take a class at ND if it works with your schedule. I don't think anyone can answer if being in the same community as your dream school will haunt you. I can tell you that the academics at Saint Mary's attract highly qualified students including those who 1) Applied to SMC with no regard to ND (We've met many and that list includes my oldest). 2) Waitlisted at ND and chose SMC 3) Rejected at ND and chose SMC 4) Accepted at ND, but chose SMC. In our experience many students that were strongly interested in ND enjoy being part of the ND/SMC/HC community. It truly is a best of both worlds situation.</p>
<p>Some questions to ask yourself: Do they offer the major you are interested in? Smaller college = less majors and choices. Did you visit and get a feel for the campus, professors, and students? Professors all four years and class size were a strong consideration for us. Is the winter weather a factor? Is it okay that you are not in a downtown/city area? Can you picture yourself living there for four years?</p>
<p>My only advice is to put the rejection behind you and move on to a school that wants you - whether that is Saint Mary's or one of your other choices. You have a bright future whatever school you decide to attend. Best wishes to you!</p>
<p>Good idea to apply to SMC! Smart thinking! My sister graduated from SMC a number of years ago and really enjoyed South Bend for all that it offers! What are you interested in studying?</p>
<p>All I can tell you is that d. complains that the guys talk a lot about the SMC girls being "hotter." </p>
<p>I think it is just freshman stuff since she hasn't complained about it recently, but it seems as though SMC students are welcomed by 52% of the ND student body.</p>
<p>AC, I know I have posted before and you know my thoughts on SMC. I was one that went to SMC having not been accepted to ND -- my dream school. I can tell you , without hesitation, that it was a blessing. The benefits you receive from SMC (support, friendships, academics) are immeasurable. ND is fabulous -- but so is SMC. And even though I graduated a long time ago, I keep up with what is happening there and feel so strongly that I was President of our Alum club in town for 4 years. </p>
<p>Will you be accepted by ND students if you go to SMC? Absolutely. I had a friend who was an ND cheerleader, many were on the fencing team, Observer etc. Did some of the "boys" try and pit the "girls" against one another? Sometimes, but I never felt like the women of ND looked down on me. (We just thought the guys were ridiculous). In fact, a number of SMC girls transferred to ND and never treated their SMC sisters any differently. Check out a copy of the Courier (the SMC alum mag), and look at the death notices, marriages etc -- you will see a ton of ND and SMC legacies. </p>
<p>As a SMC student, you are a student of the community and get student tickets, sit in the student section etc. If you have been given the $$, I would go in a heart beat -- you will find that you are getting the best of both worlds. Dr. Mooney is working hard to move Saint Mary's into the top 50 liberal arts colleges in the country. Take some time to read her plans for the college. She is terrific. </p>
<p>And my last completely biased comment is this -- Saint Mary's was asked to become part of ND in the 1970's, when the school was planning to go co-ed. The Sisters of the Holy Cross cordially declined -- they wanted to stay true to SMC's founding tenets. They have done a great job in doing so --</p>
<p>I know you want to be under the Golden Dome -- well you can be as a SMC student. And always remember that Our Lady, that sits atop that Dome, was a gift from Saint Mary's.</p>
<p>MDCAMW...well said! I couldn't say it all any better! SMC is a wonderful place~full of their own traditions and true to themselves, but also part of the thriving Notre Dame community with a history tied together since the beginning. I think it's a great choice!</p>
<p>Thank you so so so much for all your support/ answers! This has been very helpful! I think I am leaning towards Saint Mary's, although its hard because people are thinking that I'm going here just because of Notre Dame, which is partly true, but people who are ignorant think I'm just going to stare longingly at Notre Dame all the time.</p>
<p>I kind of have to choose by tonight. :O (going away and wont be back may 1st) I think a girl from SMC is going to call me tonight(my dad knows her?)</p>
<p>It's hard because I feel like the other school is a "safe option", i know I would like it, it's close to home, I would fit in and be happy. I feel like Saint Mary's is a huge risk. That I could potentially love it, and it would be amazing, and the best option. But I haven't visited, and if I don't fit in, then I'm stuck very far away, if that makes any sense? </p>
<p>My heart is leaning towards Saint Mary's right now.</p>
<p>I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to visit! That one visit is what cemented my D's decision for ED four years ago. We met the most wonderful, friendly people! What you are saying about Saint Mary's being a huge risk is true for many students (indeed all students attending schools farther from home)! My daughter loved that most of the student body was from somewhere else in the states. Very different from the atmosphere at our state schools which consist of thousands of students from the same area. My daughter literally did not know a soul attending SMC. She arrived at Saint Mary's from out of state with great excitement, but also feeling quite nervous about being on her own and how she's fit in. She quickly found she was not alone because everybody else had a similar story.</p>
<p>She graduates next month and I can tell you it has been four outstanding years. Her experiences include: Rome Program study abroad semester which is a paragraph all of it's own. Rome, many cities in Italy, Ireland, Greece, mass with the Pope, etc. RA two years, many leadership opportunities, tour guide, yearbook work, on campus jobs, two degrees in four years... I could literally go on and on. A recent e-mail began like this:</p>
<p>"I received my cap, gown, and hoods today. :- (<br>
The End is Near."</p>
<p>Everyone who has written here speaks from their heart. And Saint Mary's has a special place in our family with two currently attending. We love this school! While I certainly have a bias here, I told you before that whatever you choose - it will work out fine. Good luck tonight!</p>
<p>I might sound ignorant asking this question but couldn't you just send in an acceptance to both schools and make your decision later (knowing that you will lose the deposit to the college that you don't attend)? My son had a friend who had accepted both the University of Illinois and the University of Colorado last spring and on her way to moving into her dorm at Illinois in August (really, she was in the car about halfway there!), she changed her mind, turned the car around and ended up at Colorado. Would that be a possibility for you?</p>
<p>AC -- I can honestly say, SMC has so many different types of girls that I don't think there will be a "fitting in" issue but only you know what is best for you.</p>
<p>I went to SMC from VA (approx 700 miles) and did not know a single person. Within a week, I met a girl who lived around the corner from my aunt/uncle in suburban Chicago. She is one of my dearest friends to this day.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision ~ we are a rooting for you and even if you decide to stay close to home let us know what you choose!</p>