Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT, USA

Reviews

Saint Michael's College

Ashley from Shelburne, NH

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Being a Sophomore at St. Mikes I LOVE IT! Here I can be an athlete and still get a high level of academic achievement! Even if your schedule does not fit your sports schedule these teachers love their job soooo much that they will bend over to help you! As long as you show your interest and involvement in the classroom they will come in before/after their office hours to help you make sure that you understand/know/ and can use the knowledge from class outside of the classroom! I have by far paid more attention in my classes the past two years just as much, if not more then in some of my high school classes!
Am enjoying being here
I LOVE IT! Being a skier the mountains are WONDERFUL! Campus gets a lot of snow, and so many different people are always on campus! Ever since I arrived on Orientation Weekend a year and a half ago I have felt like I've been at home! Everyone is so welcoming and it truly feels that these new faces are welcoming you to your new home you'll be spending the next four years!
Bang for the buck
Coming from a small town, and public high school the thought of a small private, Catholic college was intimidating! With the prices of a private education being quite a bit more risky then a public, SMC is by far the place to be!

With the thought of being in debt, I am still so happy that I chose to come here with this loving and accepting environment!
Tips for prospective students
DON'T BE AFRAID! If you think you wouldn't fit in at a small school do not be alarmed! Saint Mike's is such an accepting school to all sorts of students!

Don't let the cost bug you down! Even though college is getting pricier these days, this school is worth it! Just think of the opportunities you will receive from St. Mikes and the amazing opportunities you will attain from being a Saint Michael's College graduate!
Great for these types of students
If you are a student who wants a small classroom, being a name and a face rather than a number in a huge lecture hall _ Saint Mikes is for you!

If you are an athlete who wants to be on the good side of the professors, St. Mikes is for you!!! So many of the professors follow along with the sports teams, and love to have them in class (even if they do tease you!)

If you are an 'outdoors person then Saint Michael's is DEFINITELY the place for you... We are close to Lake Champlain, Smugglers Notch Ski Resort, Stowe Resort and manyyyy other mountains and hiking trails!

For those girls who love to shop:: Public Transit takes you right down to Church Street where the best little boutiques and mall is!

Saint Michael's is an all-around school that has something for everyone to fall in love with!

Sydney from Warrenton, VA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
The teachers and other staff members really love what they do, and all of the students enjoy being there. It is a wonderful learning environment and everybody is excited to learn and willing to help you learn.
Will enjoy being here
The campus is beautiful; there's mountains everywhere. The campus is impeccably clean, well kept, and well lit, and it also appears very safe. There are tons of fun activities planned every weekend and plenty of things to do around campus during the week. You will never be bored.
Bang for the buck
It's a private school, so it is a bit pricey, but they take great care of their students, staff, and campus. The food is awesome, all areas are clean, the campus is beautiful, there are activities for every type of student. They have extraordinary professors who love what they do, incredible Study Abroad program, as well as an extremely helpful Financial Aid office.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early, it's your best bet for getting in. Get good grades and take challenging classes! Every college loves a kid with some brains in their head.
Great for these types of students
Students who like smaller class sizes and a more personalized learning experience. Students who desire to know their professors on a personal as well as professional basis. Students who enjoy cold weather and lots of snow. Students who love winter sports. Students who want a well rounded education taught by top of the line professors in a warm environment. Students who want to feel at home. :]

Laura from RIVERSIDE, RI

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Saint Michael's College has proved to be the perfect college for me. The small class sizes, friendly students, and caring & involved professors have made the transition to college life very easy and enjoyable. Living in the beautiful
Tips for prospective students
Get involved! Join clubs, attend talks and performances, and in general, make a lot of friends because you'll know get to see them all the time. And definitely buy a season pass to Smuggler's Notch mountain!
Academic Rigor
All classes are challenging, even liberal studies requirements, but the workload is very manageable and teachers are very willing to be flexible. In my time at Saint Mike's, I have learned very valuable lessons about subjects I didn't even know I'd be interested in.
Dorm Life
The dorms are well kept and huge compared to many state schools. The suites and townhouses are great places to live as an upperclassman.
Food and Dining
The food service is pretty good, and the servers are very friendly. The only downsides are the limited dining hall hours and there isn't a huge variety.
What to do for fun
Everything! Go hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, visit downtown Burlington, attend a concert, see a play, volunteer, enjoy outside, and just hang out with all of the great friends you'll definitely make.
Bang for the buck
Though the school is a private college, they offer many scholarship and work study opportunities, as well as tutoring jobs, and jobs on campus. There are many benefits of paying a little more to go to ski here, such as the extremely inexpensive ski pass, numerous free events, and unlimited meal plan for those living in dorms.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
P Day is the last Saturday before finals and to celebrate one last hurray, there are free local food vendors, live music, events and even inflatable bouncy houses and more! Its the one day of the year that everybody on campus looks forward to and participates in.
Great for these types of students
Students who like small classes, knowing their professor well; also, those who love the outdoors, the mountains, and all things nature. Anyone who wants to see 20 people they know well just on the walk to class.
Clubs and Activities
There are great volunteer organizations like MOVE and DREAM, as well as environmental and social activist clubs, science clubs, wilderness clubs, numerous singing groups, and a great theater club. There is a very strong sense of community and participation, and most people join a club at one point during their stay at Saint Mike's.
Greek Life
None! Though some of the houses where sports teams live feel a little bit like fraternities.
Campus Safety
Though I am naturally a safety-conscious person, I have never once felt unsafe on the Saint Michael's Campus. Our campus security are friendly and are only looking to keep up safe, not get us into trouble. People often walk around campus late at night but don't have to worry because of the patrolling security officers and well-lit campus. Security is also very receptive and helpful if you do have an issue with safety.

Chantel from Yarmouth, ME

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Even though I haven't declared a major yet, with the broad liberal studies requirements, you learn much more than you think you will.
Am enjoying being here
I love it. There is never a dull moment & the friends you make are for a lifetime.
Bang for the buck
It is very expensive, I have student loans and a lot of them! However, I plan on staying all four years and have no doubts about it, it's worth every penny.
Tips for prospective students
Relax! This college is the best of the college experience, there is something for everyone and definitely don't be afraid to be yourself.
Great for these types of students
Whether you like shopping in downtown Burlington, a day at the beach, or a day at the mountain, smc is for you. You are a person, rather than a number. If you're a goal oriented person with never ending ideas smc could be for you, but it's also for laid back dreamers or even up tight over achievers; I've seen just about every type of person at this school and I'm sure everyone loves, loved, or will love it the same.

First Year

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Saint Michael's College is a great place to receive a liberal arts education. There is a huge focus on the school community and you will never feel like a number. Despite the smaller size, you will be faced with amazing opportunities during your time there.
Tips for prospective students
Take advantage of the online resources, such as chat rooms, student blogs, and youtube tours! Also, definitely make a trip to campus to take a tour and check out the vibe.
Academic Rigor
Challenging classes, but teachers are very passionate about what they teach and willing to work with students who put in the effort.
Dorm Life
They're constantly updating the Dorms. In Summer 2012, they updated all the bathrooms and lighting on the Quad. They're also in the process of building a brand new dorm and student center.
Food and Dining
There are a couple options for dining on campus and they're all pretty decent. Meal plan is all inclusive, unlimited swipes.
What to do for fun
There is always something to do on campus. Between Friday Knight Dry, hanging out with friends in Eddie's Lounge,

Dennis from Madison, CT

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Happiest school that I know of! Professors are great and everyone here really enjoys what they're taking out of the classroom. I've never met a person who didn't like St. Mikes!
Tips for prospective students
Be as Friendly AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN. This will determine whether you will friends or not. This will also determine whether you are generally liked or generally disliked by the public. Just saying hello to people as you walk by them will make all the difference in the world!
Academic Rigor
The academics are definitely legit, however it does not take a serious amount of effort for you to get really good grades. As long as you do everything given to you, you are guaranteed at least a C+. If you do struggle though, the professors will help you get that grade up.
Dorm Life
Like any other campus, freshman dorm parties suck. Besides that, the dorms are fairly nice. If you don't drink, you can sign up for housing where you're placed on a floor with other kids who have agreed not to drink. All the dorms are fairly close so you don't have to worry about long walks from place to place.
Food and Dining
You are given an unlimited meal plan into our cafeteria that has unlimited amounts of food at good quality. Some people complain... but they're just spoiled.
What to do for fun
Besides the usual partying, you have millions of outdoor options since you are living in Northern Vermont. There are outdoorsy trips every weekend you can sign up for. You're a five minute free bus ride from Burlington (rated as #10 Best College town in America). You're also 1.5 hours away from Montreal, Canada.
Bang for the buck
Saint Michael's is really expensive. ($43,000 per year to be exact.) However they do offer alot of learning experiences such as dance classes, numerous clubs, ski trips, and so on. If you take advantage of it all, then it's worth the money.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Be prepared for daily ritual of the cup in the Cafeteria. Basically, if one person drops a crop in the cafeteria, every single person in the cafeteria will drop their cup to so that person who originally dropped their cup doesn't feel awkward.
Great for these types of students
Liberal, Upper-Middle Class, Outdoorsy, not very religious people who finished in the top 10% of their class.
Clubs and Activities
We have the stereotypical clubs you find at every college such as a green clubs, biking club, rugby club, drama club, gay rights movement club, and so on. We occasionally have an interesting club such as Irish Stepdancing and volunteering at our very own fire station. We have a phenomenal volunteer Program called MOVE that makes us highly respected by the entire Northern Vermont.
Greek Life
There are no fraternities and sororities at our School. You don't really need one though since you most likely will know someone who knows someone whose hosting a party, and if in you're a club, an upperclassmen in that club will most likely host a party. The closest things we have to a fraternity/sorority here are the Rugby Clubs.
Campus Safety
Extremely Safe! I've never heard of anyone being in danger while at my college!

Jacqueline from Graniteville, VT

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The professors are really awesome! The dorms are not bad at all and if you are an Honors Student - the housing is amazing! The food is pretty good too. I love it here!
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you meet with your student financial adviser to square up any financial aid you may receive. Sometimes things get lost in the shuffle and it's best to have everything set. If you get a room mate - get ahold of them ahead of time to prevent duplicate items. Especially big items like TV, Microwave and dorm fridge. :)
Academic Rigor
Can be very challenging depending on who you have for professors.
Dorm Life
Awesome. I am an Honors student and they put us on a quieter floor. It's nice and there is not a lot of distractions.
Food and Dining
Great food choices!
What to do for fun
They host movies in Cheray Hall once a week at 8, free bus all over Burlington - your knight card is your pass. There are a lot of clubs. There is always a quad cookout from 11-1am on weekends for those who don't go home. They host activities in dorm halls as well....I can go on and on. Love it here!
Bang for the buck
Saint Micheal's is up there for what they charge for tuition but you get what you pay for. Definitely worth every penny.
Great for these types of students
Saint Micheal's is great for Catholic students. You can attend mass and the priest are awesome and can really entertain the young crowd.
Clubs and Activities
Tons of activities like video game club, swimming club, yoga classes, etc.
Campus Safety
Very safe! Tons of security.