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Saint Marys College of California Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Saint Marys College of California reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Saint Marys College of California. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Saint Marys College of California reviews, or contribute your own Saint Marys College of California review if you're a current student there.

  • 11 out of 13 people found this review useful.

    Julianne from Yakima, WA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The Seminar Program is eye-opening and challenging. It pushes you to develop your own ideas and beliefs and challenge other students to do the same. The professors know you by name and have abundant office hours if you need help in class or just need to chat. The students and professors learn from each other and teach each other through questions and discussions.
    Am enjoying being here

    I'm out of state, yet I feel right at home here. I have amazing roommates and floor-mates. Everyone here is welcoming and you're guaranteed to find your own niche and group. There are so many things to get involved in and do both on and off campus.
    Bang for the buck

    It is expensive, but it is most definitely worth it. The school is very helpful when it comes to financial aid. There are on-campus jobs and off-campus jobs that are posted on the school website for students at St. Mary's.
    Tips for prospective students

    Visit the campus, you'll know if it's right. Apply for scholarships if you're worried about financial issues. Get to know adults on campus, it's amazing the opportunities they can open up for you.
    Great for these types of students

    Students that want to be challenged, both in and outside the classroom. Do not have to be Catholic, there are opportunities for all kinds of people of different interests and religions. People that enjoy a small campus but with the excitement of a big city close by.

  • 6 out of 6 people found this review useful.

    Karen from San Francisco, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    This college is an excellent school if your goal of going to college is for an education. The class sizes are small, about 30 students in my largest class section which is General Chemistry and my smallest class, Seminar, probably has about 15 or so students. For a lot of science major students, the first year of General Chem is the hardest however the professors hear have open office hours and various on campus tutoring centers to help with the subject. Same is available for Math and English courses as well. As a freshman in the Honors/Science living learning community, which is a special dorm that houses the head of the math department as well as honors program, I can literally knock on my neighbor's door, and a math professor is out to help me with my homework even if it is something as trivial and reviewing how to factor polynomials. For students that really want to learn, the Seminar program is excellent as it teaches students the basic historical ideas and literature throughout time that any educated person should know. Also, if you are planning on attending graduate school, the professors and programs here are really designed to hold your hand and help you get a good grade instead of a large school or even worst, a large public school (like a UC) where their main goal is to see who is the last one standing.
    Am enjoying being here

    The campus is beautiful, the buildings on campus is reminiscent of Spanish Missions and there are trees and grass all over campus. The campus certainly has enough room for anything you need, but is compact enough to walk from one side to another in no more than 10 minutes. The weather is pretty nice, it is sunny during the day but it gets cool during the night and morning. These is a feeling of peace on campus that is perfect for an educational institution and really gets you in the mood for learning and being relaxed. They offer many things to the students such as dances and events held by the Campus Activities Board. Some of the things that I've attended is friendship bracelet making night, Salsa lessons, and a pretty big school dance. They offer yoga, pilates, and other fitness classes that are free for students to attend. They also have a counseling center, where you can get a therapist or counselor to talk to for free to manage stress. There are many clubs and organizations that are on campus to be a part of and many of them go on trips to San Francisco, Southern California, and Tahoe during winter.
    Bang for the buck

    While the sticker price of the school is around 50,000 like all other private schools, I believe over 80% of the students that attend Saint Mary's have some kind of financial aid, whether academic or need based. There are so many free services here such as free plays, games, activities, clubs, shows, recreational classes, etc, that it is really worth it because everything is paid for. Isn't it nice for the teachers that you are paying so much money for to actually know your name? Also, if money is a concern there are many jobs available on campus as well as outside of the campus in the Walnut Creek area to help pay tuition. In the end all those little nice things, like free planners, weekend of welcome (the first weekend of school for freshman where activities are planned to get everyone familiarized with the school), and the free bbq every wednesday afternoon (community time), really makes it more worth it. Even now, a public UC school costs 30,000 dollars so the gap is no longer as big as it used to be.
    Tips for prospective students

    Definitely come to campus to check it out, especially if you are in the area. I fell in love with the school when I came here to check it out because at first the idea of a small and secluded school didn't appeal to me, but once I saw for myself the beauty of this place I couldn't resist. They have various overnight programs for accepted students to get to know what the school is about before deciding. Definitely apply, especially since they are pretty generous with waiving application fees, it is worth while to give it a shot. The school is getting more and more well known and it amazes people because we are this tiny Catholic school but we've made it to the 5th place I believe on Forbes magazine of colleges who's graduates make the most money in 10 years. We are up there with Stanford and UC Berkeley. We were also ranked in US News and Weekly as one of the top schools on the West coast and we have numerous famous and successful alumni that love this school so much they are constantly supporting it. This school is truly one of the nation's best educational institutions and we are known for that as well.
    Great for these types of students

    Do not be concerned about being religious. We have people of all backgrounds, races, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs here on campus and everyone is treated equally and with respect. Just because it is a Catholic school does not mean you must be Catholic or even religious to attend. It does mean however that 2 religion courses will be required to graduate but they are not difficult and it is a great to be educated about religion as it is plays a huge role in society. Even if you don't believe in it, it is good to know what people mean when they say the forbidden fruit or know who Moses is, it should be considered general education. Students that are looking for a quite environment rich with opportunities to be involved in the community while getting a top notch education should strongly consider what Saint Mary's has to offer. At the very least, come by to check it out! We have student ambassadors that love school this school as much as I do and are dying to tell you why.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Amelia from Stockton, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    saint mary's is an amazing school, it has opened up so many opportunities for me. i am surrounded by good, truth worthy people that i feel safe around. saint mary's has helped me find my passion.
    Tips for prospective students

    get involved at school, and don't be shy. explore campus and if you have a car explore the bay area there is a lot to do around here.
    Academic Rigor

    great teachers, small class sizes. you get all the help you need and teachers are always willing to meet with you if you need help with anything.
    Dorm Life

    small dorm rooms, you get to meet a lot of people though.
    Food and Dining

    mostly have the same food served.
    What to do for fun

    i hang out on campus with friends, go on hikes on the bike trails, take bart into the city.
    Bang for the buck

    if you want a good education you'll get it here. you are able to have a one on one conversation with your professor and peers everyday you are in class.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    on the lawn, do homework when it's warm outside. going to the cafe on campus is a fun place to meet with friends.
    Great for these types of students

    serious students who want a good education, and to be able to have a good relationship with professors. professors will know you by your first name by the first week.
    Clubs and Activities

    lots of different interest clubs. if you can't find you can't find one you can make your own.
    Campus Safety

    total safety. i feel more safe here then i do in my hometown.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Renee from Orangevale, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Saint Mary's is a very welcoming place where you would be glad to call home. It is easy to balance a social life and academics. It has been the best experience of my life so far.
    Tips for prospective students

    Bring your A-game and be ready to attend every home basketball game. Saint Mary's is a quiet and isolated school but during basketball season, we are louder than any other. This school really is a great place full of school spirit.
    Academic Rigor

    Reading, reading, reading. Every professor assigns a lot of it for homework each night but that is mostly all you need to worry about. Sciences are very hard at this school so if you understand it than you will do fine.
    Dorm Life

    Dorm life is great of you get along with your roommate. There are singles, doubles, and triples for freshman; one hall is suite style (single and double on each side of a shared bathroom.) Sophomores are guaranteed housing but juniors and seniors are put into a lottery.
    Food and Dining

    Oliver Hall, SAGA, is not the best food so prepare to take the bus or Bart. We have McDonalds, Taco Bell, Chipotle, Burger King, Noah's Bagels, Jamba Juice, and a few others in close range
    What to do for fun

    Free events are sometimes hosted on campus but Walnut Creek is the best place to go any weekend. They have tons of shops and you don't need a car to get there. The bus is free for SMC students so you just need to worry about Bart fare. San Francisco is also just a Bart ride away.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    You must walk to the cross. It is a mostly uphill walk but you can see the entire campus. It's beautiful! We also have Gale-a-palooka which is an all day carnival with live music. Also most Wednesdays is community time so you get free lunch in campus and no classes for an hour and a half.
    Clubs and Activities

    So many clubs on campus from religion to politics and ethnicity to social justice. We have a lot of sports too but if you don't want to be on the main team we also have club sports for everyone.
    Greek Life

    No Greek life here
    Campus Safety

    It's always beneficial to lock your rooms and cars but here is not much to worry about here. It's a fairly safe campus

  • 5 out of 12 people found this review useful. 2 people found this inaccurate.

    Craig from Sacramento, CA

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Tips for prospective students

    For those who want to go to a small campus.
    Great for these types of students

    Catholic school students

  • A Happy Student

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Perfect class sizes and teachers. Great sports teams. Fabulous Bay Area location.
    Tips for prospective students

    Be prepared to bring a car to campus, you are going to want to explore the Bay Area and Moraga is close to everything.
    Academic Rigor

    The academic program at Saint Mary's is spectacular. Be prepared for a brain exercises in the Seminar department, wonderful science labs, and intelligent passionate teachers who will know your name, face, and probably favorite color. I have never been disappointed in a class and love attending the lectures.
    Dorm Life

    You will have the opportunity to live with a Christian Brother! Dorms are set in beautiful canyon. Some are pretty old, but the newer ones are really nice. Can be quiet on weekends, so be the fun starter.
    Food and Dining

    Personally, absolutely hated the food. But I am beyond picky. Get a second opinion.
    What to do for fun

    Saint Marys has the awesomeness of being in the middle of nowhere (Moraga) in the middle of everything. No matter which direction you go there is something interesting to do. There is Walnut Creek on one side, Berkeley, San Francisco and the Entire San Francisco Bay area to explore. The options are pretty endless.
    Bang for the buck

    I know private school is expensive. I'll be paying for my education til I'm 50. But I know its worth it because I feel like my prospective job opportunities are much wider because of where I go to school. Also when I WANT to go to classes, just because they are so interesting, I know paying every penny is worth it.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    SMC has this amazing cross on top of a hill that all the students walk up to. It has a view over the entire area and is a romantic evening excursion or a fun picnic spot. Also, every year during orientation the freshmen hike up to the SMC letters on the hill and paint it. They always come back covered in hay and paint, but with huge smiles.
    Clubs and Activities

    We have lots of sports, intramural and pickup games. There's lots of clubs to join and people to meet.
    Greek Life

    No such thing at SMC. We don't pay for friends. Its a small enough school that you can get to know everyone.
    Campus Safety

    Good Ol' P-Safe is there to watch your back! I have never felt any danger walking around campus alone at night. Except maybe for tripping over a tree root or running into a raccoon.

  • Shane from Sacramento, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Saint Mary's is the perfect combination of small school utilities with certain big school aspects. It has small class sizes which are essential in the professor-student relationships that are formed, but it has division one sports and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area making it far from your typical small school. Finally, the collegiate seminar program and Saint Mary's unique January term, it provides student with one of a kind educational opportunities.
    Tips for prospective students

    If your interested in getting a well rounded, liberal arts education, Saint Mary's is the place to go. Similarly, if you're the type of student that thrives in the small classroom setting and likes to utilize the professors for all that you can, Saint Mary's provides you with that as well. Work hard in high school and do your best on you SATs and SMC could be a great home for you.
    Academic Rigor

    The workload is heavy, and the material is dense. But with one on one professor attention that every student can receive, plus the bonds you can form with classmates to form study groups, it is very manageable.
    Dorm Life

    The dorms get progressively nicer as you move up in years at SMC. Even as a freshman I felt well taken care of and never once felt cramped. Every dorm building forms unique communities that do anything from getting together to study or to play sports.
    Food and Dining

    Oliver Hall, the main dining hall at SMC is fantastic! There are so many different options and they do a really good job of mixing it up to where you won't always walk in and see the same meals. Also, since it's such a small school they don't have to prepare mass amounts of processed food. It's always fresh.
    What to do for fun

    There are many things to do on campus from sports, to reading a book in the sun, to hiking, to studying or meeting with professors. But also, located in the East Bay, Saint Mary's is surrounded by such a unique culture and is only a 40 minute BART ride away from San Francisco.
    Bang for the buck

    While the original tag on Saint Mary's look overtly expensive, thanks to hundreds of generous donors to the school, much more than 50% of students receive some sort of financial support and they are very helpful in ensuring that students can afford SMC.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    When Freshman move in, during the weekend of welcome, they climb up the hill and paint the SMC that's on the hill. There's one catch: there are no brushes, they paint it using their bodies!
    Great for these types of students

    Small class oriented students who either need or love individual attention from professors. It's also great for students who aren't necessarily interested in studying a specific thing and going a specific route, just because Saint Mary's provides such a unique and well rounded liberal arts education.
    Clubs and Activities

    There are over 80 clubs at SMC and many student organized on campus activites: dances, poker nights, intramural sports.
    Campus Safety

    The campus is extremely safe. There is only one road that leads in and out of campus and a public safety kiosk that is aware of all visitors. The population on campus is very friendly and community oriented.

  • Adam from Rio Vista, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Quiet, laid back community with amazingly smart professors. Our basketball team has more Australian wins than any other team in the history of the NCAA. I just made that up.
    Academic Rigor

    The seminar program is intense if done right. Most classes borrow from it's style to enhance learning.
    Food and Dining

    Nothing special here.
    What to do for fun

    Not much to do in the immediate area, but a quick public transit ride and you can be in some of the greatest cities in the world (San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland), and if you have a car, you are a day trip away from surfing, snowboarding, gambling, history, camping, fishing, and almost anything else you could want to do.
    Bang for the buck

    It's a good school, but comparable to the much cheaper UC Berkeley in quality of education. Smaller class sizes, less populated surroundings, and a sense of community almost make up for the higher cost.
    Greek Life

    None.
    Campus Safety

    You don't have to worry about being stabbed, but there were a couple of date rapes at the beginning of the year. No hate crimes, no thefts (that I've ever heard of), no assaults. Probably the safest school campus I've been on since kindergarten.

  • Hayley from Moraga, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Tips for prospective students

    Get into classes you like. Make sure your teachers and your advisers know you. They can help you out a lot if you let them .
    Academic Rigor

    The teachers are so interested in student success. They are always willing to make time to help people. I love the small class sizes.
    Dorm Life

    The dorms get better as the years go on. Most of the freshman dorms are pretty small and old, but the RAs work very hard to make the experience fun.
    Food and Dining

    The food is not worth what we pay for it. It's ok, but not the best. They should work hard to make it better and make it more accessible on the weekends.
    What to do for fun

    They have lots of events and dances to get people involved. But it's pretty isolated in Moraga.
    Clubs and Activities

    There are many clubs and activities in every field to join.
    Greek Life

    None
    Campus Safety

    There are public safety officers on duty at all times. It is a very safe campus.

  • Vanessa from Menlo Park, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Saint Mary's has been one of the best educational and social experiences I have ever had. Friendly students and professors. Always succeeding to be the best.
    Tips for prospective students

    Keep an open mind and do not enclose yourself. It may be a small campus but a close sommunity
    Academic Rigor

    Difficult but worth it in the end. They don't just give you a diploma and make you figure it out on your own.
    Dorm Life

    I got extremely lucky but I made some of the closest friends
    Food and Dining

    Can get boring but they are getting better
    What to do for fun

    Always activities to join or participate in
    Bang for the buck

    Every penny worth spending on this school
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Gael Force everyone wants to be part of it
    Great for these types of students

    Wanting a great education and friendly
    Campus Safety

    Public Safety is amazing

  • Alexis from Clayton, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    i love the experience i am having. seminar is so fun and interesting! i have incredible opportunities.
    Tips for prospective students

    stay on top of your seminar homework.
    Academic Rigor

    the classes are very challenging, its not possible to slack off and do well. the amount of homework makes you stay focused
    Dorm Life

    dorms are good and clean, every floor has rules and its neat.
    Food and Dining

    the food is soo good! the workers are super nice too.
    What to do for fun

    hang out on campus and go into downtown walnut creek see movies go shopping
    Clubs and Activities

    there is a ton of clubs and activities. there is something for everyone most definitely!
    Campus Safety

    public safety is here 24/7 they are pretty awesome!

  • Anonymous

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    saint mary's is a great school. this is my second year and let me tell you that whenever i've had questions or just didn't understand something i could always get help. i've learned so much, and i am looking forward to my third year, where i will study abroad.
    Tips for prospective students

    at times it gets hard but never loose hope, there is always somerone out there to help you out weather it be a teacher, a student, a friend or even an advisor.
    Academic Rigor

    i would definately have to that it is a challenge. a challenge worth seeing through.
    Dorm Life

    dorm life the first year was crowded, and thank goodness i had great room mates. second year was much better we got a bigger room and there were only two of us instead of three.
    Food and Dining

    let's say there is room for improvemnets.
    What to do for fun

    hiking in the mountains, watching gaels basketball team win games, and going window shopping in downtown walnut creek with friends.

  • Jacqueline from Hollister, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    it is a great school, with a close knit community, dedicated passionate professors, and and excellent academics. i am absolutely in love with smc and i am so glad i decided to come here.
    Tips for prospective students

    go to an open house, and talk to as many people as possible. it is better to have too much information, than not enough. don't let the big price tag scare you away: smc gives out lots of scholarship money to almost every student.
    Dorm Life

    i think the dorms are pretty good sized, and are fairly nice. i have the best ra and our hall gets along very well. you get to go on all sorts of cool hall trips too!
    Food and Dining

    its decent most of the time, but sometimes it is gross. breakfast and late night are so good, but weekend food really sucks.
    What to do for fun

    there are often on campus activities to go too, or cab or rha have trips to giants games, the sf zoo, alcatraz, and so much more!
    Bang for the buck

    it is worth every single penny. you will actually graduate within four years here, and the alumni connections are great. the class sizes are small, and the professors teach you- not graduate students.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    our mascot is the gael, which is very unique. our basketball team is amazing! everyone hikes up to the cross on the hill, and paints the smc on the hill.
    Great for these types of students

    ones who like 1 on 1 attention
    catholic
    athletic
    love nor cal
    anthropology and archaeology majors
    Clubs and Activities

    mission and ministry is amazing!!
    there are so many recreational sports to choose from, and there is a club for everyone.
    Greek Life

    none. there is the gael sisterhood and gael brotherhood which are wanna be greek life.
    Campus Safety

    p-safe gets the job done. and one of them is affectionately known as p-sexy lol

  • Jacklyn from MI Wuk Village, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    saint mary's is a private, catholic, and wonderful school. the campus and class sizes are small, which makes getting help easier. the professors are also very helpful and willing to meet with you if you need anything.
    Tips for prospective students

    you should like small campuses, be willing to get to know your teachers and other people in your class, be willing to work very hard at your schoolwork, and be prepared to talk in class.
    Academic Rigor

    the academics here are tough, but helpful. i find myself doing a lot of homework, but i do learn a lot, which is what school is all about. since saint mary's is a catholic school, religion does play into the academics some, but if you aren't that religious it doesn't matter because it's not an overpowering factor of this school. we also have jan term, which is where you take a class that doesn't have to do with your major (unless you want it to) for the month of january, which is really fun. and of course, there's study abroad.
    Dorm Life

    dorm life here is fun. i feel like my hall is one big family. as a freshman, you are required to live on campus, but i personally like living on campus. it makes things a lot easier, and mostly everyone here is very nice and fun.
    Food and Dining

    the food most of the time is decent, but what i really like is how we have flex dollars so we can go off campus and eat somewhere else, but not have to spend our money; it's already included in our meal plan. there are a lot of good places that we can use flex dollars, like chipotle and mountain mike's pizza. the cafeteria food is good though, but sometimes it gets a bit boring.
    What to do for fun

    there's usually things going on on campus, like going on field trips for a really low price, and there are sometimes movies playing that aren't out on dvd yet. walnut creek is about 20 minutes away which has a lot of stores to shop at, places to eat, and also a movie theater.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    if you're the athletic type, there are a lot of places to walk on and near campus. for example, you can take a hike up to the cross, or there are paths to walk/run on right off of campus. we also have a couple gyms on campus, and we takes sports pretty seriously here.
    Great for these types of students

    saint mary's is great for fun, dedicated, opinionated, and motivated students.
    Clubs and Activities

    there are tons of clubs here. i have yet to join any, but i heard there are a lot of great ones and that almost everyone ends up getting involved.
    Campus Safety

    saint mary's is pretty secure. i can walk outside at midnight and feel perfectly safe. after 10-11pm, each person that enters has to show their id card, so that keeps strange people out. also, we have public safety officers and a special number for them is there's ever an emergency.

  • Rachel from Castro Valley, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Academic Rigor

    this is the best part of this campus. this campus provides with the best faculty who are always available to help you and connect to you. professors are vey knowledgable and has a seminar based classes instead of lecture based classes so that students can participate and understand their learnings.
    Dorm Life

    since this is a small college campus, not all students are required to live on campus but freshman. you can bring your vehicle and it is free to have parking permit. great single gender hall dorm life, but can be bit boring because dorms are excluded from the downtown.
    Food and Dining

    food may not be great on campus because there is only one dining hall, yet there is a cafe, that bakes wonderful pastry and services starbucks brewing coffee.
    What to do for fun

    bay area rapid transit (bart) is available to go to either san francisco or to san jose (transfer to caltrain). city is always close from the campus where you can seek a small day trip to explore.
    Greek Life

    unfortunately, there is no greek life.

  • Sandra from CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    saint mary's college is an amazing school. here you will meet amazing people and professors that will teach you a lot about yourself and life. be prepared to leave high school behind because you literally grow more as a person and student in your first year, than you have in your four years of high school.
    Tips for prospective students

    make sure that you look at everything saint mary's has to offer and that you are comfortable with it. it's a small school with a close-knit community. don't let the private school label and cost scare you, it's so much more than it seems and if you really want it, the cost can be covered.
    Academic Rigor

    saint mary's has really great classes and even a jan term, but compared to my standards, the classes could be harder. sometimes i feel that it's pretty much senior year of high school, but with more reading and studying. as long as you actually study, you should do fine.
    Dorm Life

    the dorm life is amazing. you become great friends with the girls or guys in your hall. it's so much fun and the ra's always have a fun activity for the students to participate in.
    Food and Dining

    there are days when the food is amazing or when they have special days like taco tuesday or sundae sundays. most of the time however, you will find the same food every day so make sure to try it all so you don't feel like you're falling into a boring routine, and definitely try the garden section.
    What to do for fun

    parties, dances, clubs, and the surrounding cities around saint marys gives you something to do when you need a break and on the weekends. be warned though that during basketball season, nothing is off limits. if you want to know more about this specific topic of saint mary's, stop by for a weekend or better yet, sign up for gael for a day and the students will show you how great it will be to be a gael!
    Bang for the buck

    saint mary's is a lot of buck obviously since it's a private school, but in my opinion, the price is nothing compared to what you get in return. these days, a 4 year guarantee is worth a lot more than for what it's going for. what you pay at the end of 4 years here could potentially be a lot less than five or even six years at another university. compared to other schools, i would definitely rank saint mary's as one of the top schools in california and even the west coast. if you're still not convinced, i say come for a visit.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    the cross, the smc, the statue, the lake, the log...there are so many places at saint mary's to explore. it's so much fun when you find a place to explore, either on your own or with a group of friends.
    Great for these types of students

    this would be great for students coming from small high schools that prefer the personal relationships with teachers and other students.
    Clubs and Activities

    there are a huge range of clubs and activities and you may find what you are looking for, but if you want greek life, you won't find it at saint mary's.
    Greek Life

    none, sorry. but there are sisterhood and brotherhood clubs that could make up for them.
    Campus Safety

    we've had some incidents on the campus, but our public safety officers on campus are always sweet and helpful. if you need anything, all you need to do is call public safety.

  • Kelsey from Sacramento, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    saint mary's college is a fantastic school for personal help in class and overall academics. the professors truly care about how their students' success in the classroom and it is easier to talk to professors when the class size is smaller than larger universities. i would encourage anyone who wants more personal academic help to consider saint mary's college.
    Tips for prospective students

    don't be afraid to explore the local cities around moraga, such as lafayette or walnut creek.
    Academic Rigor

    the academic rigor generally depends on the professor you have that semester. i found the work challenging but rewarding.
    Dorm Life

    the dorms are pretty much standard to other colleges. i do appreciate the fact that the dorms at saint mary's have sinks in the rooms. it is very convinient to get ready in the morning in the comfort of your own room.
    Food and Dining

    saga's food is pretty unpredictable. some days the food will be very tasty and you will want to go back for seconds. other days, the food will be very bland or there will be little choice of what you can choose to eat during that meal. often times the meal in the vegetarian section of the cafeteria will be repeated for both lunch and dinner. sometimes the company will try to post what food is being served that day but most times, it isn't up to date.
    What to do for fun

    moraga is located near a multitude of transportation options. county connection bus lines, bart (bay area rapid transit), and caltrain are all ways to get around the bay area. shopping and walking around walnut creek is a popular pastime for students on the weekends. san francisco is also a nearby city that students tend to go to.

  • Student from Sacramento, CA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    St. Mary's has a top-notch liberal arts and sciences foundation that is equivalent to that of bigger name schools. The teacher to student ratio is small, and when I attended a preview day most of the students said their largest class sizes were under 40 students. I'm not that much into science, but they do offer great undergrad research opportunities. Also as a liberal arts school it would be really hard not to learn a lot and be exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking.
    Will enjoy being here

    I have visited twice and both times I felt extremely welcome by students and faculty and staff. They also have a lot of activities to get involved in and it as a small school it is close-knit. It is sort of A City on a Hill but it is not too far from the city for weekend trips, and there's plenty of events going on around campus because most people live on campus.
    Bang for the buck

    The financial aid office is open to talking with prospective students about their financial situations, but there is only so much they can do. They offer merit scholarships, but they don't cover a lot of the costs. Of course there's the FAFSA, but they said that the money the government is giving out through that is going down, so their financial aid packages aren't completely stable on that side of things. However, scholarship websites like Cappex exist for that sort of thing, and in the end I believe that the superb education St. Mary's offers makes the cost worth it.
    Tips for prospective students

    If you are interested in a school then you should make an effort to visit it, watch videos (many schools including St. Mary's have YouTube videos), e-mail admissions officers, and try to get in touch with current and/or former students
    Great for these types of students

    Students who want a close-knit community, want to be leaders and involved, open-minded, they do place emphasis on LaSallian tradition (Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve) and the Catholic heritage, but anyone of any faith is welcome and adds to the different perspectives, students who want to get more out of college than just a degree

  • Reyna from Hercules, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I've never felt so eager to go to class. A lot of the professors I've had are passionate about what they're teaching, and it really translates into the material. The class sizes are small and a lot of them are discussion based (specifically the seminar program), so professors actually know about you as a person as well as you as a student. Because these classes are discussion based, you learn from your classmates as well.
    Am enjoying being here

    The campus is beautiful, and I personally found joy studying outside on a warm day. There are some real personalities here, but that's part of its greatness. The biggest con is that everything closes early except Safeway. Moraga is far from a college city, but it's close enough to cities with shopping centers and malls. You can also get to the city via BART, which is only a bus ride away.
    Bang for the buck

    The tuition is high, and it's going to keep getting higher (but this is the case for all colleges). The school gives huge amounts of financial aid, and mine managed to pay about 1/3 of my tuition (excluding loans). There are plenty of free services such as free tutoring and counseling. They make an effort to get you out in four years, and that's what made the real difference in price considering that some people get stuck in states for six years. Since I'm part of the subject-matter prep program for future secondary teachers, it's an even bigger bonus that I'll be able to skip over some of the state testing, which really holds people up.
    Tips for prospective students

    Visit the campus. If you can't see yourself going to school there, you probably don't want to go there. Also, if you get the chance, go to one of the overnight programs to get a real feel for the campus and the people there. Do your research as well. Some programs at SMC require that you follow very specific guidelines that have a four-year plan. If people who work in admissions visit your high school, go to the meeting because they can really answer your questions and they might mention something that you might not think of.
    Great for these types of students

    People who don't mind reading a lot. Part of the GE requirement includes four semesters of seminar, which is basically an English class including books from all genres and time eras (ie. Aristotle, Kafka). Another requirement is to take two semesters of religious studies, which is also heavily reading based. Everyone is very open minded, and while it's a Catholic school, you don't have to be Catholic to attend.

  • Stephanie from Oakland, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I am amazed with how much I learned within a year. Within the courses I've taken, I really enjoyed seminar because it allows us to analyze our readings, confront many topics and learn about different views. I think seminar enables its students to dig deeper and to arrange our thoughts vocally. I think it molds us to be better communicators. I also enjoyed my English and Cross Cultural classes because our class was arranged like a seminar. Additionally, in math and physics, the professors I had really understood the material and thoroughly taught it to us. I like the various methods they used and how they interacted with the class to make sure we really understood. Apart from the material, I also learned a lot about my community and myself. I learned that it's not enough to go over the material but to really engage in the problems, so that I understand instead of memorize.
    Am enjoying being here

    I like how SMC has community events for students to get to know one another. I also enjoyed having the pleasure to meet many new people. Additionally, I liked my classes and my professors. My concerns just included the loud turkeys and the terrifying raccoons.
    Bang for the buck

    I'm not so sure because the tuition is really expensive as well as the textbooks. Being a part of the engineering program, I learned that I'll be taking general courses and preparation classes for three years and then get transferred to a school for 2 years, and that's when I'll receive my bachelor's degree; wheras, I can go to a school and receive my Bachelor's within three years. I have checked the schedules for engineering students, and they seem pretty similar. I know if an education is worthy, price shouldn't matter. But within taking a summer class at a community college, I have found the same important value in education, and I have learned so much. I think neither is better than the other. The prices are very different. I feel like if I'm receiving the same kind of education, then why should it be so expensive at SMC?
    Tips for prospective students

    Know or have some kind of idea to what career path you want to take. There will be classes to help you figure it out, but it would be nice to have an idea so you don't waste time, money and effort.

  • Chelsea from Clovis, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I learn so much in each class that it amazes me sometimes. I can't believe how much professors can teach me in a small amount of time, and I love the interaction between students and their professors on different topics and information.
    Am enjoying being here

    I love this college! It is absolutely gorgeous, the size is cozy (not huge, not suffocating), the people are supportive and encouraging, and the academics and extracurricular activities make it even more exciting. Projects are constantly ongoing around the campus, it makes it feel just right.
    Bang for the buck

    yes, the tuition is quite high, but it is definitely worth it. The housing acommodations are nice, the food is excellent, the classes are fantastic and enriching, and the people are absolutely great!
    Tips for prospective students

    Tips for new or prospective students: 1. get immediately involved in a club or two to meet awesome new people and feel like you belong somewhere, 2. always pay attention to your professors; they may just teach you more than just what's in the lesson, and 3. the experiences that you have here will always stay with you, so make them ones to remember!
    Great for these types of students

    I think that this college is perfect for students that want a nice, easy transition into the real world. It has numerous people that are always willing to help you, but know when to let you do it on your own. Also, it's a nice transition size; bigger than your own room, but smaller than a 100,000 population. Lastly, the classes make you feel involved and as though your opinion is genuinely wanted and appreciated.