First-Year Student FAQs
We get asked many questions during the admissions process. So we're listing the answers here in case you're curious, too.
First-year applicants must submit:
- The Common Application or the Saint Mary's Application
- Official High School Transcript(s)
- Official SAT or ACT scores
- 1 letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, teacher, or school principal
For the Fall 2020 academic semester, we advise students to apply by June 1st. However, if students apply late, we will still review their application once completed.
We require that candidates for first year admission have taken:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry)
- 2 consecutive years of a foreign language (3 year preferred)
- 2 years of Science (1 year of lab science)
- 2 years of Social Studies (1 year of U.S. history)
Fall 2018 averages for incoming first year students:
- GPA: 3.6
- SAT (M+CR): 1140
- ACT (composite): 25
New student orientations are coordinated by the New Student and Family Programs Office. For details about orientation, please see their page.
The average class size is 19 students.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1.
The most popular majors are Business, Communication, Psychology, Kinesiology and Biology.
None of our majors are impacted.
No. In fact, 91% of our full-time faculty have the highest degree in their respective field.
You can study abroad in countries across the globe, including Argentina, China, England, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, and more during the summer, fall or spring terms.
Participating in a SMC program will enable you to receive academic credit directly from Saint Mary's and retain California state grants along with the rest of your financial aid. The College also conducts a variety of travel courses during January Term.
All students are assigned a faculty advisor. It is required for all students to meet with their major-specific faculty advisor to be approved for registration and course planning.
Yes, all students have access to a variety of free academic resources. Some of the resources students have access to are:
- Career and Professional Development Services (CPDS)
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Health and Wellness Center
- The Center for Writing Across the Curriculum (CWAC)
- Student Success Office
- High Potential Program
- Student Disability Services (SDS)
- Student Engagement and Academic Success (SEAS)
- Tutorial and Academic Skills Center (TASC)
For the 2020-2021 Academic Year, the First-Year Residency Requirement is being temporarily suspended. We encourage all first-year students, if they can, to live on campus to take advantage of all of the benefits it provides.
First-Year students are guaranteed housing on campus. Housing is also guaranteed for the sophomore year, but students may live off-campus if they wish. For the junior and senior years, housing is awarded based on a lottery system.
All of our freshmen residences are located on the central campus. Residences may be singles, doubles or triples and are coed by building (single-sex floors). All rooms are WiFi ready. Check out our Virtual Tours of Campus Housing!
Catering is provided by Sodexo Food Service. They offer 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.
Since Saint Mary's is a residential college, there is a strong on-campus community. 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 coordinate volunteer opportunities throughout the Bay Area.
Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There is no fee associated with the FAFSA.
California residents who wish to apply for Cal Grants A and/or B must also ask their current school to fill out the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.
85% of our undergraduates receive financial aid from a variety of sources, including institutional merit-based and need-based aid.
The average package is $32,000.
The priority deadline for all financial aid forms is February 15.
For more information, please visit our Financial Aid Office website
Students can qualify for up to $30,000 a year in merit-based scholarships at the time of admission.