St Mary’s College of Maryland Top Questions

I would start by telling myself that I am making the right choice by attending St Mary's. I would tell myself that although I am unsure how to approach the next four years of the rest of my life, there will always be people who can point me in the right direction so long as I have the courage to ask, that everything will be easier if I let the little things just roll off my shoulders and that a good night's sleep can cure anything. I would tell myself not to let stress come before the things I love. I would tell myself that it won't be easy, that I won't always get what I want or what I think I deserve, but in the end, it will all have been worth it because it I will finally know who I am. If this is the advice from only 1.5 years in school, I cannot wait to see what I have gathered from St Mary's by graduation. Practical Aside: I would tell myself not to chicken out of the AP exams. No one tells you how valuable a few extra credits are.

I would tell myself to stop worrying so much. I would say "Hey, look, in a few months you are going to move to a place that's amazing in so many ways: for its natural beauty, its kind and welcoming students and staff, its challenging academics, and its dedication to the world around it. Within two days you're going to realize just how incredibly lucky you are to go to St. Mary's and wish you never have to leave it, just like so many of the other students there. You're going to learn new ways of looking at the world you would never have thought of, whether its an entirely new perspective on Greek mythology or the incredible perspectives of the Hindu religion, or how to read and analyze literature. Most importantly, you're going to make lifelong friends. Not all of it will be easy, but, looking back, you won't regret a single thing."

There is no one right college for anyone. Ultimately college is what you make out of it. So, find a school that will give you the academic tools you need, which you feel comfortable about, and go in with a positive attitude and enjoy it while you have the money.

I strongly believe in visiting the college of choice and spending time getting to know the campus. It is important to gain a sense of the campus before making a decision. Research the school; find out what it's known for. Talk to students and don't be afraid to ask questions about the campus. Parents, make sure your child knows that they have your full support no matter which college they chose, even if it is not your alma mater. Understand that it is his/her time to chose a future alma mater. In addition, understand that even if your child doesn't come home every weekend or doesn't call every day, he/she is still thinking about you and still loves you. Students, don't be afraid to venture into the unknown, but as my mother always says, "Remember who you are." Be confident in the decisions you make and don't let fear decide what courses you will and will not take. Don't be afraid to speak out, ever. You have a chance to start fresh so use this opportunity wisely. Lastly, aim high in terms of GPA first semester. It makes things easier later.

When looking for which college will suit you best, decide on the sort of program that you would like to enter, and find schools that fit the bill. To narrow down between these schools, its important to look at class sizes, as well as the extracurricular activities available.

The best advice I can give to parents and to students who are having trouble picking the right college is to let the student decide for themselves. You as a student can't let anyone else influence your choice. It is going to be your education, and it is going to be a school that you are going to learn from, not your friends, not your family. Visit the schools, spend a night there, join in on some classes, and find out if the school is everything that it appears to be. Don't be shy, ask any questions you have to anyone, don't always rely on the tour guides ask students who aren't in a hurry a question or two about the school, get honest opinions. Finally, go with your gut. Pick the school that calls to you the most, not the school that calls you the most.

I really enjoy my time at St Mary's. There are millions of things to do, and a great library for when you really need to get work done. Having the river there is great, because you can check out kayaks and sailboats from the school. The construction on campus just finished, and has tons of green features., with a new Student Services building opening this semester. The school is very environmentally conscious, and the food is great if a little monotonous ofter a while. This is a great choice if you want small classes, and accesible professors who will know your name.

Make sure when you want to find a school you visit it. I know plenty of people that made the mistake of choosing the school they wanted to go to without even knowing what it looked like (the facilities, who goes there, the staff, etc.) For me, visiting my college was the reason I decided to go there. I didn't want to go to any other school after visiting it. It was the first school I visited and nothing after it compared. However, I feel that it is essential to visit all the schools you plan to put on your list of choices.

The best way to evaluate whether a college is right for you is to experience it first-hand. Visit as many schools as possible. Tour the campus to see if the surroundings please you. Sit in on some classes related to your area of interest in order to evaluate how interesting and well-structured the academics are. Talk to as many students as possible, to see what the student population is like in general and also to find out what they think of their school. Stay overnight if you can. If you are a parents, encourage and support your child in making as many visits as possible, and allow them to form their own unguided opinions. Your input is valuable but ultimately, their impression of a place is the most important one.

Make sure to visit the college that you decide to go to, find out if you can take a class or stay the night there. Make sure the size of the school is right for you and check out the classes they offer for your intended major.