<p>My daughter is deciding between these 3 schools. She is entering as undeclared. Does anyone have any thoughts about which is the strongest academically?</p>
<p>Hello Anne62!</p>
<p>First, as a representative of Saint Michael’s, please pass our congratulations to your daughter on her acceptance to St. Mike’s!</p>
<p>The other two schools that your daughter has been accepted to are great options, but let me lay out a few of the academic strengths offered here at St. Mike’s!</p>
<p>We refer to the undecided/undeclared student as [Exploratory[/url</a>]. The intention is to encourage students to explore through our liberal studies curriculum which major(s) might be the best fit for them. With 2,000 students all living on campus, an average class size of 19 students and a 13:1 student to faculty ratio, students are afforded a lot of personalized attention as they begin their undergraduate journey.</p>
<p>Saint Michael’s College also is one of a small number of Catholic colleges in the nation that has been invited to have a Phi Beta Kappa program, the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Fewer than 10 percent of colleges and universities are privileged to have Phi Beta Kappa chapters on their campuses. To be considered, an institution must have a faculty with 10 percent Phi Beta Kappa members. They also do a complete review of the institutions academic offerings, opportunities and outcomes. To learn more about the Phi Beta Kappa program as well as our honors program and other honors societies, [url=<a href=“http://www.smcvt.edu/honors/default.asp]please”>http://www.smcvt.edu/honors/default.asp]please</a> visit this site](<a href=“http://www.smcvt.edu/academics/exploratory/]Exploratory[/url”>http://www.smcvt.edu/academics/exploratory/). </p>
<p>Another aspect that speaks to the academic strengths of our institution is the fact that you daughter will never be taught by a teacher’s assistant or grad student. All of our courses are taught by professors who are invested in getting to know their students and each major has an experiential learning requirement (research, academic internships, paid internship). Here is more information about our [Academic Enrichment programs](<a href=“http://www.smcvt.edu/academics/enrichment/default.asp”>http://www.smcvt.edu/academics/enrichment/default.asp</a>)!</p>
<p>The community that St. Mike’s is in also enriches a student’s academic experience. Burlington is the largest city in the state of Vermont. It is also consistently as named as a ‘Top College Town’ in the US. Students are afforded many opportunities for leadership development through M.O.V.E. (our service organization), Fire & Rescue program (nations 2nd largest!), the Wilderness Program, and the wide range of student-run clubs/organizations. Information on all of activities and programs [can be found here](<a href=“http://www.smcvt.edu/studentlife/activities/default.asp”>http://www.smcvt.edu/studentlife/activities/default.asp</a>)!</p>
<p>To top it all off, St. Mike’s was named by the Princeton Review as one of the Happiest Colleges in the US and the #2 college with the best Town/Gown Relationship with its community!</p>
<p>We have two fantastic [Accepted</a> Student Open Houses](<a href=“http://www.smcvt.edu/admission/acceptedopenhouses.asp]Accepted”>http://www.smcvt.edu/admission/acceptedopenhouses.asp) coming up on April 9 and April 16 (both Saturdays!) which will provide an excellent opportunity for her to connect with every academic and campus program as well as get a feel for what life would be like on campus!</p>
<p>If you have specific questions, I invite you to call me directly at 802-654-2913 or e-mail me at <a href=“mailto:jbrown7@smcvt.edu”>jbrown7@smcvt.edu</a>.</p>
<p>She has some excellent options and if St. Mike’s doesn’t happen to be one of them for next year she could always consider transferring if her first choice isn’t a fit! :)</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Jeremy T. Brown
Assistant Director of Admission
Saint Michael’s College
<a href=“mailto:jbrown7@smcvt.edu”>jbrown7@smcvt.edu</a>
802-654-2913</p>
<p>Dear Mr. Brown, thank you for this information - it is very helpful. We plan to attend the open house on April 16th.</p>
<p>Anne62-</p>
<p>Excellent! I’m glad it was helpful!</p>
<p>I hope to have the pleasure to meet you all when you’re on campus in a couple of weeks!</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Jeremy Brown</p>