What does it take to be admitted to Saint Michael's College?

Here are the facts on getting in to Saint Michael's: our admission statistics, high school course requirements, and how we make admission decisions.

We hope, however, that you'll think beyond the numbers and take a deeper look to see if Saint Michael's is a good match for you. We're looking for excellent students who:

  • want to be active members of a learning community
  • are prepared for a rigorous intellectual experience grounded in the liberal arts
  • have a commitment to community service and social justice
  • want to make the world a better place
  • are looking for an opportunity to develop spiritually and morally
  • have a developed sense of curiosity
  • are interested in taking risks, thinking differently and discovering new things
  • want to discuss ethical and moral questions inside and outside the classroom
  • are enthused about living on campus all four years in a close-knit, community-centered atmosphere

Do you see yourself described above? If so, Saint Michael's may be the right place for you.

Admission Profile: Class of 2016

Applications

Applied: 4,575
Accepted: 3,500
Enrolled for Fall 2012: 550
 

Secondary School Class Rank

Top 10%: 27%
Top 20%: 49%
Top 25%: 59%
Top 50%: 82%
Unranked: 32%

Average SAT Scores**

Accepted (588V/579M/581W): 1748
Middle 50% Accepted: 1590-1890

Average ACT Scores**

Accepted: 26

** Note: We are test optional. SAT or ACT tests are not required for admission.

High Schools Represented

Public: 70%
Catholic: 18%
Independent: 12%

Financial Aid

Students receiving need-based aid: 78%
Average student loan debt for Class of 2011 (Federal & Private loans): $21,873 

Merit scholarships are available and valued between $1,000 to full tuition. All accepted students who meet minimum academic criteria will automatically be considered for competitive merit scholarships. These are limited in number.

Enrollment Figures

Full-time students: 2,000
44% men / 56% women
Average class size: 19
Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Classes size < 10 students: 17%
Classes size 10 to 19 students: 39%
Classes size 20 to 29 students: 32%
Classes size 30 to 39 students: 9%
Classes size > 40 students: 3%
Faculty with terminal degree: 93%

Geographic Characteristics

38 states and 43 countries represented
Out-of-state/In-state: 79%/21%

Largest number of students (in descending order):

Massachusetts: 25%
Vermont: 21%
New York: 12%
New Hampshire: 10%
Connecticut: 10%
Other: 27%

Ethnic Breakdown

Caucasian: 86%
Other ethnicities: 12% 

Overlap Institutions

Boston College
Fairfield University
Holy Cross
Providence College
St. Anselm
St. Lawrence University
Stonehill College
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
University of New Hampshire
University of Vermont

Unique Programs

Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society
3+2 Engineering Program
Pre-Pharmacy Doctoral Program with Albany College of Pharmacy 
Pre-Physical Therapy Doctoral Program with University of Vermont 
Articulation Agreement with Vermont Law School 
4+1 MBA Program
Extensive Study Abroad
Wilderness Program
Army ROTC
All-Access Ski Pass to Smugglers' Notch Ski Resort
Cultural Pass to the Flynn Theatre
Free bus pass to Burlington
Student Run Fire & Rescue

Accolades

Ranked #90 in US News & World Report
Included in the Fiske Guide
Ranked #88 out of 650 best undergraduate institutions by Forbes
Included in Princeton Review's Guide to Best 376 Colleges

Outcomes

Post-graduation outcomes for class of 2011
(as of Feb 2012):
74% have full time employment
17% are in graduate school
8% are volunteering full-time

Saint Michael's College's admission standards are competitive. We review every application closely according to the following criteria outlined below, in order of importance.

  1. Overall high school record and strength of college preparatory curriculum (including the senior year of high school)
  2. High school rank in class (in conjunction with the strength of curriculum elected and high school profile)
  3. Application essay (required) and any submitted writing samples (optional)
  4. Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, coaches and employers-generally two are sufficient
  5. The applicant's record of extracurricular interests, activities and talents
  6. Campus Visit (This could be a Campus Tour, Group Information Session, or a Personal Interview.)

Saint Michael's College is a test-optional institution. Applicants will be asked if they wish their scores to be considered.  Any standardized testing scores (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing) that are submitted will be used by the Admission staff during application review only if the student wishes them to be considered. If the question is not answered, the test scores will remain a part of the review.

Applicants should have at least 16 Carnegie Units of college preparatory course work in high school that includes some combination of the following (in order of importance):

Four years of English

While courses like speech and other English electives are interesting, we recommend those be taken in addition to (not as replacements for) English courses with a strong emphasis on writing and reading of literature.

Two to three years of modern language

We require a minimum of two, but highly recommend that applicants pursue as many years of the same language as possible.

Three to four years of theoretical mathematics

Three to four years of science including at least 2 lab sciences

Three to four years of history & social sciences

We recommend that you challenge yourself at the highest level of the coursework suitable to your abilities. The number of honors level and Advanced Placement courses that are in a student’s background are considered in our decision-making process.

Is Saint Michael's College a test-optional institution?

Yes. Therefore, you do not have to submit standardized test scores (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing) to be considered for admission. All applicants, regardless of whether scores are submitted, will be considered for available merit based financial aid. However, test scores are required to be considered for our most competitive merit scholarships.

Do any programs require SAT or ACT scores?

Although Saint Michael's College no longer requires standardized test scores for admission, the NCAA mandates the submission of standardized test scores for athletic eligibility. Thus, prospective student athletes should still take the SAT or ACT and submit their scores to the NCAA Clearinghouse.

International students from non-English speaking countries are still required to submit the IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, or ACT.

The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request test scores for any applicant.

How do I send Saint Michael's my official score report?

If you would like to send Saint Michael's your official score report, be sure to list our code, 3757, on your SAT registration form or 4312 on your ACT registration form.

If I choose to submit standardized test scores (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing) how will they be used in admission decisions?

Submitting test scores is an option. Applicants will be asked if they wish to have their test scores considered. If the question is answered in the affirmative or left blank the submitted SAT/ACTscores will be used in the admission process as one of several factors. For information on the criteria considered in admission decisions, please consult our How Decisions Are Made tab.

How do I know if I should submit my scores?

If a student believes that the test scores provide further evidence of academic ability, he/she is encouraged to submit those scores. If a student does not feel that the SAT or ACT scores accurately reflect academic performance and/or ability, the student should not submit them.

  • Average SAT and ACT Scores (Class of 2015)
  • Average SAT Scores for Accepted Students: 1744 (584V/582M/578W)
  • Middle 50% of Accepted Students: 1600 – 1890
  • Average ACT Score for Accepted Students: 26

Note: If evaluating test scores, Saint Michael's College does consider the writing section of the SAT and ACT.

Will Saint Michael's accept the ACT (American College Test)?

We will consider the ACT in lieu of the SAT. While each administration of the SAT includes the writing test, the writing portion of the ACT is optional. If you are planning to submit the ACT to Saint Michael's, you must take the writing portion of the exam. We will always consider your best results of either test in review of your application.

Does Saint Michael's require students to submit their SAT/ACT scores on an 'official score report?'

If you choose to submit test scores, we prefer to receive the official score report although we do not require it. If it is your high school's policy to include test scores on the transcript, we will still be able to receive scores you choose to submit through the school with the SAT/ACT.

For More Information About the SAT or ACT

We strongly recommend that you visit collegeboard.com or actstudent.org to learn more about the tests and how you can prepare for them.

The Edmundite Catholic Liberal Arts College