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Students at the center: Saint Mary’s provides a remarkable education and an unparalleled student experience. / Photo by Sofia Mastroianni
Saint Mary’s Receives Record High Applications for Class of 2029
The word is out: ‘This is a great time to be a Gael!’ More than 6,200 students have already applied—representing over 4,100 high schools from across the United States and internationally.
A record high number of students have applied to enter Saint Mary’s College of California for fall 2025—testament to the growing national reputation of the College and the unique student experience SMC provides. As of January 28, 2025, more than 6,200 students have already applied. Applicants represent over 4,100 high schools from across the United States and internationally.
To put this year in perspective, the number of applications already represents an increase of 34 percent over last year. And that number of applications will continue to grow: Saint Mary’s has extended application deadlines for undergraduate students through March 15, with a particular emphasis on providing opportunities for those who may have been affected by the recent fires in Southern California.
Of those who have already applied, 38% are the first in their families to attend college. Saint Mary’s is a Lasallian, Catholic university founded with a mission of providing a quality education to all, and in Fall 2024, nearly a quarter of incoming students identified as first-generation students. The College also just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the High Potential Program, which provides scholarships, mentorship, and other resources for first-generation and low-income students. Saint Mary’s has also long earned recognition as an Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.
“While Saint Mary’s was once noted as a ‘hidden gem,’ it is clear to me—and thousands of students across the country—that SMC is no longer hidden. Without a doubt, this is a great time to be a Gael!”
—SMC President Roger Thompson
Geographically, the applicants hail from nearly every US state. Just over 60% call California home, with the large numbers of applicants also coming from Texas, Washington, and Oregon.
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“Those familiar with Saint Mary’s have known for years what a remarkable education and student experience the College provides, and that our Gael students feel seen and supported in a safe, student-centered environment,” says SMC President Roger Thompson. “While Saint Mary’s was once noted as a ‘hidden gem,’ it is clear to me—and thousands of students across the country—that SMC is no longer hidden. Without a doubt, this is a great time to be a Gael!”
Saint Mary’s students laud the rigorous academic programs, small class sizes and professors who know you by name, and opportunities for hands-on research in the lab and the field. They single out signature programs such as January Term—which provides a creative array of classes on campus and experiences around the world—and Collegiate Seminar, a series of discussion-based courses that provide a foundational academic experience.
These transformational educational experiences made Saint Mary’s the first Catholic college in California to be recognized in the prestigious list of Colleges That Change Lives. And the campus nestled in the rolling hills of Moraga provides connections and access to exploring, working internships, and job opportunities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
A Best Fit—and the Buzz on Campus
The Class of 2029 will begin studying at Saint Mary’s during an exciting time:
- Men’s Basketball has won the West Coast Conference title and championship in 2024, has competed in the NCAA Tournament three years in a row as No. 5 seed, and has made postseason appearances for the past 17 years
- Men’s Rugby defeated Navy to win the 2024 national championship
- Softball won the 2024 West Coast Conference title—the first in program history—and competed in the NCAA Tournament.
- SMC has recently been recognized as both a Top Producing Fulbright Institution and Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leader
- Saint Mary’s faculty have led the way in research funding for projects that give undergraduate students unparalleled opportunities to collaborate in work that earns national recognition
- Washington Monthly ranks Saint Mary’s in the top 3% among master’s universities in the US
- The Princeton Review lists SMC as a “best fit for undergraduates” in The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition
- US News & World Report ranks SMC in the top 5% of Western regional universities
- Money Magazine ranks Saint Mary’s as one of the top universities in the country when it comes to quality, affordability, and student outcomes.
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Saint Mary’s has already begun sending out acceptance letters and offers of financial aid for students who have completed the FAFSA. Students who have been offered admission should notify the College by May 1 if they want to come to SMC.