“Saint Mary’s has really shown me how to be not just an effective communicator, but a compassionate listener.”
Saint Mary’s College welcomes you, challenges you, and immerses you in academic and personal exploration. Our close-knit student community of approximately 1,700 women will embrace and encourage you to achieve your potential and make a difference in the world. We are located just 90 minutes from Chicago and situated across the highway from the University of Notre Dame. Saint Mary’s outstanding faculty are top scholars in their fields and are centered on your education. They’ll engage you in classroom discussions and activities, then lead you outside the classroom for hands-on learning.
You may study abroad at Saint Mary’s for one semester or an academic year. Please contact the International Education Office of your home institution to know more about the institutional nomination procedure and program cost information.
Institutional Exchange Partners
- Japan: Ochanomizu University
- Morocco: Al Akhawayn University
- South Korea: Ewha Womans University
Application Requirements
- Online application (no application fee)
- Current transcript (in English)
- 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 Scale
- Certification of English level: TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105 and phone interview
- Personal statement (1-2 pages essay)
- Official bank statement
- Copy of valid passport
- Two letters of recommendation
Recommendation Letters should detail class attendance, participation, ability to succeed in an English environment, ability to succeed in a discussion-based classroom, ability to succeed with group assignments/projects, and general comments about the student’s English ability and ability to succeed.
Application Deadlines
April 1 (for fall semester); November 1 (for spring semester)
Fall Semester:
Nomination period: Jan 15 – March 15
Application period: Feb 15 – April 1
Acceptance period: rolling acceptance
Spring Semester:
Nomination period: Aug 15 – Oct. 1
Application period: Sep 15 – Nov 1
Acceptance period: rolling acceptance
Housing and Meals
Exchange students will be assigned a double room in one of Saint Mary’s dorms on campus. They will choose a meal plan and can enjoy three meals a day in our dining hall.
Visa Information
Saint Mary’s College will issue a DS-2019 form to accepted visiting students who need to apply for a J-1 visa in order to travel into the U.S. to attend the program. A DS-2019 form allows exchange visitors to apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate abroad. Exchange visitors already in the U.S. may use this form to transfer their record from another institution or apply for J-1 status by requesting a change of status within the U.S.
International Student Services
Once a Belle, always a Belle! Saint Mary’s Office of Multicultural and International Student Services will treat the inbound exchange students in the same ways as other exchange or degree-seeking international students and invite them to participate in social and cultural activities.
Contact Information
Adriana Petty '01
Director, Multicultural and International Student Services
Saint Mary's College
+1 574 284 4861