By Sue Luse

About

Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, just north of South Bend and across the street from the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Saint Mary’s is a women’s college comprised of 1,500 students. A close-knit community dedicated to stretching your abilities and empowering women.

Academics

Saint Mary’s has more than 30 majors, and the most popular are Nursing, Education, Biology, Business and Communications. They have plans for a Masters program in Speech Pathology. Classes are small (the average size is 15 students), and often discussion-based. The College has a writing proficiency program built into the liberal arts curriculum and requires a senior comprehensive project in the senior year.

Students at Saint Mary’s and Notre Dame can cross-register for a limited number of courses on each other’s campuses (there is a bus to take students back and forth). Students enrolled in the Dual Degree engineering program are an exception. In addition to completing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Mary’s College, students also earn an engineering degree in chemical, computer science, electrical, environmental geosciences, or mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Admissions

• Common App (no supplement); no fee; resumes should be mailed
• Saint Mary’s offers both Early Decision and Rolling Application options for First-Year applicants
• Middle 50% of accepted students’ ACT score fell between 23 and 29
• Middle 50% of accepted students’ GPAs fell between 3.4 and 4.0
• Super scores the ACT and SAT
• Holistic review of applications
• Tuition/fees/room and board total approximately $45,000/year with merit scholarships up to $20,000 (no separate application necessary)
• 88% retention rate from first to second year (Class of 2015)
• 80% of students stay all four years

Student Life

Plenty of clubs and organizations to get involved in. Saint Mary’s students form close relationships with fellow students and enjoy many informal gatherings/meetings as well as service opportunities. Can join Notre Dame Marching Band and participate in their ROTC program. Saint Mary’s women can get season football tickets in the student section at neighboring Notre Dame. There are many area restaurants, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and parks nearby. An hour and a half train ride takes you to Chicago.

So What Kind of Girls Would Be Happy Here?

Girls who like small classes and close relationships with peers. Girls who enjoy lots of personal attention and getting to know their professors. Girls who are academically focused and enthusiastic about making a difference.

Fun Facts

• 45 minutes from Lake Michigan
• 75% students from out of state
• Approximately 85% Catholic
• Convent on campus, but most sisters don’t teach
• Freshman dorm
• All dorms have a chapel
• Seniors in one residence hall can have pets under 10 pounds. There is also apartment-style living available for seniors on campus.
• Very unique dorm rooms – some with fireplaces; sinks; every room is different; high ceilings