Saint Mary’s College is one of the oldest four-year, women’s colleges in the United States, having been founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1844. With a population of nearly 1,600, Saint Mary’s has long been recognized for its exceptional academic programs and for preparing graduates to make a difference in the world. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Saint Mary’s as one of the top 100 National Liberal Arts Colleges.

The 98-acre campus, set alongside the Saint Joseph River, has great natural beauty. Saint Mary’s is located just across the street from the University of Notre Dame, just minutes north of the city of South Bend (population 150,000), and only 1 ½ hours east of Chicago (population 14 million).

The student to faculty ratio at Saint Mary’s is 10 to 1. All of Saint Mary’s courses are taught by professors, mostly full-time, instead of graduate assistants or teaching assistants. On average, our faculty has 10.2 years of teaching experience. Our small discussion-based classes ensure that our faculty provides students with personal attention, engage them in lively dialogue, and assist in shaping their dreams and aspirations. Class sizes range from a high of 50 to a low of 8.

Undergraduate Programs Offered

Dual Degree in Engineering

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, electrical, environmental geosciences, or mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Application Process

• Online application (fee waived for international students).
• Official transcripts of completed secondary school work, translated into English if necessary, with an explanation of the grading scale.
• Scores earned on the SAT OR TOEFL/IELTS (if English is not the students’ native language).
• One letter of recommendation from a secondary school counselor or administrator.
• An essay.
• A completed Certification of Finances form.

Application materials are due by February 15th for the fall term. The admissions committee seeks students who have maintained excellent academic records throughout their secondary school career, have contributed to co-curricular activities, and have above average test results. Upon acceptance, the Office of Admission will notify candidates of the scholarship type and amount for which they qualify, if applicable.

Intensive English Program

Saint Mary’s College provides an Intensive English program to non-native speakers ranging from beginner to advanced level s. The program focuses on preparing students for US higher education with courses in English reading, writing, grammar, and speaking. Courses are available all year round in 14 week sessions. Conditional admission to degree programs is available to those who meet eligibility requirements.

Cost/Scholarships

Annual tuition and fee costs for the 2011/2012 school year are estimated at $31,065; room and board total approximately $9,400. Saint Mary’s offers international students a combination of grants, scholarship and work opportunities. International scholarships generally range from $6,000 - $20,000 per year depending on the strength of academic qualifications. All academic scholarships are renewable (for a maximum of eight academic semesters) provided specific GPA requirements are met. Admitted students are automatically considered for academic scholarships by the Scholarship Committee and notified at the time of admission.

In addition to Merit-based aid, Saint Mary’s offers a limited amount of assistance based on financial need, depending on the availability of funds and the level of assistance a family can contribute. To qualify, students must complete the Certification of Finances and the Collge Board PROFILE forms. Students are encouraged to submit necessary forms well in advance of the February 15 deadline.

Campus Life

• 84% of students live on campus in five resident halls.
• Over 70 different Saint Mary’s clubs and organizations. There are over 140 which are sponsored jointly with the University of Notre Dame.
• Varsity sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, and volleyball.
• 11% Multicultural, including international students in the past three years from Brazil, China, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Iraq, Kenya, Korea, Myanmar, Panama, Poland, and Vietnam.