frequently asked questions
For more information please refer to the Saint Mary's College Fact Book or contact the Admissions Office at (800) 800-4SMC.
Admissions | Academics | Residence Life & Housing | Student Life | Financial Aid
Admissions
What do I need to apply as a first year student?
The Admission Office strongly recommends that candidates for First year Admission have:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics; at least algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra
- 2 years of a foreign language
- 2 years of science; at least one laboratory science
- 2 years of social studies; one of which being US history
What applications does Saint Mary's accept?
Saint Mary's accepts the Common Application only.
What tests are required to be submitted for the application?
Official reports of test scores should be sent directly to the Undergraduate Admissions Office from the testing service.
- Saint Mary’s College will accept either the new SAT, the old SAT, or the ACT. The ACT writing assessment is optional. The highest critical reading, the highest math, even if taken on different test dates, will be used. SAT II is not required.
- The SAT school code for Saint Mary’s is 004675 and for the ACT it is 0386.
What is the average high school grade point average (GPA) for incoming freshmen?
For the freshmen class entering in fall 2007, their grade point average is a 3.33.
What is the average SAT score?
Math = 538, Critical Reading = 542.
How many students are in your typical freshman class?
580-620.
What percentage of the student body comes from out-of-state?
15%.
What is the male to female ratio?
38% male to 62% female.
What is the percentage of International students?
2%.
What percentage of the student body is made up of students of color?
40%. African American = 6%, Asian = 11%, Hispanic/Latino = 21% and Native American = 0.5%.
Do I have to be Catholic to attend Saint Mary's College?
No. 56% of our students identify themselves as Catholics, while many choose to pursue faiths of other denominations.
What is the postmark application deadline for freshmen? For transfers?
- Freshmen:
Priority, November 15, 2008
Regular, February 1, 2009 - Transfers:
For Jan Term, December 1, 2008
For Spring Term, January 1, 2009
For Fall Term, July 1, 2009 (January 15, 2008 - priority aid consideration)
Academics
What is the average class size of all traditional undergraduate courses?
20 students.
What is the traditional student-to-faculty ratio?
12 to 1.
What are the five most popular majors among the undergraduate student body?
Business = 12%, Psychology = 5%, Communications = 6%, Lib./Civic Studies = 5% and English = 3%.
Do graduate students teach classes?
No. In fact, 91% of our full-time faculty have doctorates.
Where can I study abroad?
You can study abroad in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, China, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Scotland, South Africa or Spain. Students who wish to spend part or all of their junior year away from campus can receive academic credit directly from Saint Mary's College and retain California state grants. The College also conducts a variety of travel courses during the January Term.
Residence Life & Housing
Is on-campus housing guaranteed?
Students are required to live on campus their freshman year. After that, housing is awarded based on a lottery system.
How is the food?
Catering is provided by Sodexho Food Service, who provide a wide variety of foods to meet any student's needs. You can also purchase flex dollars for use at all campus retail food outlets and Oliver Hall.
What are the residence halls like?
All of our freshmen dorms are located on the central campus. Dorms may be singles, doubles or triples and are coed by building (single-sex floors). All rooms have high speed Internet connections.
Student Life
Is it easy to get involved?
Since Saint Mary's is a residential college, there is a strong on-campus life. The Student Government, clubs and dorms sponsor parties, movies, comedy nights, dances and dinners. There are more than 40 clubs on campus ranging from the Pre-Law program to the Black Student Union. Campus Ministry and CILSA provide opportunities to help out in the community.
Is there an Athletic Program?
14 of our sports teams compete at the NCAA Division I level, and we have outstanding intramural and club sport programs in men and women's sports.
Who are the Christian Brothers?
The Christian Brothers are the world's largest Catholic order devoted exclusively to teaching. In 1868 the order assumed direction and ownership of the College, and has guided the College ever since.
Financial Aid
What percentage of the student body receives financial aid?
74% of our undergraduates receive significant financial aid from a variety of sources. Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Perkins Loans, and Federal Stafford Student Loans are often part of an applicant's financial aid package.
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is distributed to high schools and colleges by the U.S Department of Education. California residents who wish to apply for Cal Grants A and/or B must also fill out the G.P.A. Verification Form.
When is the financial aid deadline?
The priority deadline for all financial aid forms is February 15th, 2009.
