When to apply

St. Mary’s accepts students as early as August 1 of the student’s last year in high school.  A “certificate of acceptance” can be sent to high schools that require proof that the student will be studying in America.
 
The application deadline is January 1.  Although we accept applications from international students after this deadline, we recommend early application because of the time it takes to receive official documents and to secure a student visa.

•  Grade 10 or 11:  Contact Prof. Jordan by email; Learn about St. Mary’s from the website (www.smcm.edu)
• Summer between Grade 11 and 12  Apply to St. Mary’s (see below)
  • Complete application and interview by Sept. 1 ifor an early decision from St. Mary’s.
• Grade 12 Year
  • Sept.: Submit application and interview with Prof. Jordan in person or by Skype.
  • Oct. – Nov: Receive acceptance letter and certificate from St. Mary’s
  • Dec. – Feb.: Decide to attend St. Mary’s; pay $500 deposit
  • April: Receive student visa materials from St. Mary’s
  • May:  Apply for student visa at U.S. Consulate
• July:  Consider attending English language program at St. Mary’s
• August:  Begin your studies at St. Mary’s

How to Apply

There are seven steps in applying to St. Mary’s College of Maryland:

1. Contact Professor Jordan (wpjordan@smcm.edu) to learn more about St. Mary’s. He will help you with your application.
2. Complete an application for admission, including the essay, and resume.  The $50 application fee is not required for international students. The application is available online at www.smcm.edu/admissions.  Instructions for the essay and resume are available on the web site.  Submit the essay and resume by email to admissions@smcm.edu, or mail them to:
   

   Office of Admissions 18952 E. Fisher Road St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 U.S.A.

3. Submit official copies of all academic work, including transcripts and certificates.  All copies must be translated into English by the institution or by a certified translator.
4. Success at St. Mary’s requires a strong command of the English language.  Students will be asked to submit samples of their writing in English and will be interviewed by Professor Jordan in person, by video conference, or email.  An English proficiency test will be given electronically by St. Mary’s.  Because Professor Jordan interviews each student, the TOEFL exam is not required.  Have two letters of reference sent to the Office of Admissions.
5. St. Mary’s does not require the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for students from Asia.  Your ability to succeed at St. Mary’s will be measured by your application essay, resume, letters of reference, and personal interview with Professor Jordan.
6. Obtain a financial resource statement, which is an official statement from your bank indicating your financial responsibility for a year of college expenses ($38,000 U.S.).
7. Submit a photocopy of your passport.

When you have been accepted and have paid your confirmation deposit of $500, the government immigration Form I-20 will be sent to you.  This form is necessary to obtain a student visa to study in the United States.

Friends of St. Mary’s College have donated funds to create an International Student Scholarship.  Students with outstanding academic records may be offered a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to $7,000 per year to support their studies at St. Mary’s.  Because some other types of financial aid can be offered only to United States citizens or persons with a permanent visa, international students seeking financial assistance are encouraged to search for outside sources of support.