vc08

I've heard great things about SMC; have a good friend who went there and she absolutely loved it.

What other school are you considering?

smcmom

I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to visit! That one visit is what cemented my D's decision for ED four years ago. We met the most wonderful, friendly people! What you are saying about Saint Mary's being a huge risk is true for many students (indeed all students attending schools farther from home)! My daughter loved that most of the student body was from somewhere else in the states. Very different from the atmosphere at our state schools which consist of thousands of students from the same area. My daughter literally did not know a soul attending SMC. She arrived at Saint Mary's from out of state with great excitement, but also feeling quite nervous about being on her own and how she's fit in. She quickly found she was not alone because everybody else had a similar story.

She graduates next month and I can tell you it has been four outstanding years. Her experiences include: Rome Program study abroad semester which is a paragraph all of it's own. Rome, many cities in Italy, Ireland, Greece, mass with the Pope, etc. RA two years, many leadership opportunities, tour guide, yearbook work, on campus jobs, two degrees in four years... I could literally go on and on. A recent e-mail began like this:

"I received my cap, gown, and hoods today. :- (
The End is Near."

Everyone who has written here speaks from their heart. And Saint Mary's has a special place in our family with two currently attending. We love this school! While I certainly have a bias here, I told you before that whatever you choose - it will work out fine. Good luck tonight!

Heycow

I might sound ignorant asking this question but couldn't you just send in an acceptance to both schools and make your decision later (knowing that you will lose the deposit to the college that you don't attend)? My son had a friend who had accepted both the University of Illinois and the University of Colorado last spring and on her way to moving into her dorm at Illinois in August (really, she was in the car about halfway there!), she changed her mind, turned the car around and ended up at Colorado. Would that be a possibility for you?

mdcamw

AC -- I can honestly say, SMC has so many different types of girls that I don't think there will be a "fitting in" issue but only you know what is best for you.

I went to SMC from VA (approx 700 miles) and did not know a single person. Within a week, I met a girl who lived around the corner from my aunt/uncle in suburban Chicago. She is one of my dearest friends to this day.

Good luck with your decision ~ we are a rooting for you and even if you decide to stay close to home let us know what you choose!

AC419

I just got back from Atlanta for DECA ICDC (soooo fun)

butt. This is what I'm doing. I called about sending both deposits. The other school said absolutely not.

So tomorrow I am flying over at 7:30, visiting Saint Mary's, and then calling my mom and telling her which deposit to send.

So I am very stressed and nervous.

After our visit, we're definitely heading over to the grotto to say a prayer.

Thanks for all your support everyone!

AC419

Okay, not that anyone is reading this haha, but I visited yesterday, fell in LOVE with it, and gave them my deposit!

I am officially a Saint Mary's Belle.

My tour was amazing. It was me, my dad, and this senior who had a very similar story to mine.

I am so excited

Heycow

AC419 --

Congratulations on your decision! I'm glad to see that you are excited about attending Saint Mary's in the fall. It sounds like you have 4 wonderful years ahead of you!

smcmom

Hooray!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Saint Mary's!

waitingseemslong

AC419 I am sooooo happy for you. Congrats. Thanks for posting. I was wondering about the outcome!!

smcbelle08

My mom, smcmom, told me all about the difficult decision you have been contemplating. I just want to say that I think you made a wonderful choice choosing Saint Mary's! After four years, I have come to consider Saint Mary's my second home and the people here are like additions to my family. It is a vibrant community that I have been blessed to be a part of and know that wherever I go, I will always be a Belle. Good luck with the beginning of your own Saint Mary's experience and make the most of it. Four years has flown by quicker than I could have possibly imagined, but I have cherished every moment and know that you will too. Congratulations and please let me know if you ever have any questions along the way!

Irishcali

Congratulations! I am sure you are on your way to a wonderful experience! SMC offers so much and is truly the best of both worlds~

What a wild ride you had in making your decision~I'm sure you'll have fun relating the story to your new friends!

Welcome to the SMC family

irishmary203

Irishcali, I read with great interest your post regarding the decision to attend SMC after your rejection from ND. What memories your decision brought back! Many years ago I was in the same situation (my brothers were all ND grads). I spent many sleepless nights deciding between Boston College and SMC. I lived on the East Coast and wondered if I would be better off staying close to home. But in the end, with some very strong advice from my brother I chose SMC and it a decision that has forever changed my life. I have maintained my close friendships with the best friends I have ever made (ND and SMC alike).
It has been over 20+ years and we all look forward to our mini reunions at ND games etc. I met my husband while I was there (and not looking for a MRS degree!) I was a junior and he was a 2nd semester senior at ND. So for me, SMC really did change my life. It is a wonderful school and I would be so pleased if my daughter told me she would like to attend. Indiana was 800 miles away from home, but many of my midwestern friends always included me when they went home for Easter and Thanksgiving. It helped that my freshman year roomate was from Arizona. We spent alot of time together and to this day she is the best friend I will ever have.
I know you will love Saint Mary's. Not because it is across the street from Notre Dame, but because it is a wonderful college, with its own traditions and tremendous community. I wish you the best of luck.

Ptbcath

A419
I also want to wish you the best. I think my own D may have the same decision to make in 2010. She is in love with ND. Before reading your posts I never thought about St Mary's, but now I will. I told my D about your situation and close relationship St. Mary's has with ND. I was surprise how quickly she wanted St Mary on her list of potential school. Good Luck and maybe in two years we will be asking you for advice.

vc08

congrats! Great choice, and best of luck in future endeavors!

AC419

thank you so much everyone! to be completely honest, I probably could not have made this decision without all your advice, and support! I really really honestly thank you all so much! Just the fact that you all gave your advice and helped me show that amazing people really do come from SMC.

I sent in all my housing stuff! I just knew in my heart that I wanted to be part of that community, and maybe Saint Mary's is even better, smaller classrooms and community with the excitement right across the street.

PTBCATH: Please contact me if your daughter has any questions! I know that when I was in that situation all i wanted more than anything was to just talk to someone! This was definitely the hardest decision of my entire life!


just thank you so, so much everyone!