St. Mary’s University Top Questions

I would advise to investigate as much as they can, to ask many questions as they can to everyone from every campus they are considering.

I would tell parents and students to look at the whole aspect of the school. Just looking at academics is ignoring the fact that your school is often also your home for several years. Being comfortable with the community and the type of students that go to the school is just as important as the academics of the school. Also, find a school that offers class sizes that you are comfortable with, because this will greatly affect your ability to succeed. Be aware, especially at smaller schools, that much of the socialization happens in the first weeks, so be prepared to go on a limb and be outgoing. Never lie on roommate applications to make yourself sound better. It can be an awful year if you don't get a compatible roommate. Lastly, don't forget that it's still school, even though it's not like what you've probably known as school. Don't forget to find a balance between studying and socializing.

The best advise from my experience would be for in-coming freshmen to stay in the dorms at the university for the first year, this is the best way for students to make friends and get to know people, as well as having the availability of their peers for help on school assignments and projects. Staying at the dorms is also a great way for students to better interact with activities and organizations that the university has to offer. For the first year living in the dorms, it can be a great way for students to learn how to live with a roommate(s), and share tasks that could/ would be applied in life later down the road.

Anywhere a student goes can be a worthy investment. However, to really make it the great learning experience, I encourage students to really think about their priorities and what they want and choose that which will make them happiest in the long run.

Choosing the right college for you is one of the most difficult things you'll ever have to do. There's no "right-way" to turn or path to follow that will assure you that the choice you make will be the best for you. The only thing you can do is go out there and visit every college/university that you're interested in. College can get expensive and there's nothing wrong with settling for a school that is willing to pay for 3/4 of your tuition as long as you get a decent education out of it. At St. Mary's they provide almost 3/4 of my tuition and i still have to take out loans every year for $10,000 not to mention the $900 i pay every semester out of pocket. Finding the right school is something you'll just feel in your heart. It's something you know is right as soon as you step on campus and start mingling with the faculty and students. The college that's right for you will feel like your home away from home. So make the best of it, join as many things as possible.

In order to find the right college you need to sit down and look at what values are most important to you. From these values or expectations that you have for a school look at the college that best captures all your values, or at least the most important. For example, if family is important to you and you are close to them you should probably look for a college close to home verses one that is far away or out-of-state. Also the best way to determine if a college is right for you, you need to ask current students how they like it in order for you to get a feel of how the college is from the inside.

I belive that you should visit the campus before deciding which one to attend. Notice the atmosphere, the surroundings, the interaction of students. You will know which one is the right school for you. Being comfortable and enjoying the school is top notch. Also make sure that financial aid is available so that you are able to attend you full course years. I would also recommend a setting with small class rooms so that you are able to interact with the professors and know all the students.

I would advice students to think real hard at what kind of enviroment they want to be in. There are many factors that made me decide to go to St. Mary's University. I first decided that I did not want to be in houston anymore but that I still wanted to be in a university in the city. I also said that I wanted to leave but not I did not want to be so far away from home. San Antonio seemed like the perfect place. A student has to also take into consideration the size of the university. I decided in a small university because I wanted small classes. As for the parents I believe that they should help their children in visiting universities. It really helps to visit the university before diciding to go there.

Keep your mind open and look for the college that will make you the most comfortable. If you like smaller classes than look for one that has a close staff to student statistics.

Find a place that feels like home