St. Mary's College in Moraga - Worth it?

Anybody here from California has some insight into St. Mary's College in Moraga? I've been researching it, but some unbiased opinions would be valuable. How's the community, academic rigor, extracurricular opportunities, things like that?

St. Mary's College of California is a smaller, liberal arts institution, with a strong emphasis on fostering a community and providing one-on-one attention to students. The college is known for its "January Term", a month-long period in the winter dedicated to studying unique, imaginative courses, and its student-faculty ratio of 11:1 ensures a highly personalized education experience.

In terms of academic rigor, students often laud the quality of instruction in their reviews. However, as with any college, it largely depends on your major and the specific courses you take. In general, liberal arts colleges like St. Mary's can offer an uncovering academic environment that encourages discussions, critical thinking and exploration of various fields.

As for extracurricular opportunities, St. Mary's host over 50 student clubs including academic organizations, special interest groups, and service clubs. There are also extensive on-campus arts and culture events. Athletics are also quite big at the college, with 15 NCAA Division I teams and many more club sports and intramural activities. Keep in mind that since St. Mary's is a smaller school, you won't have the same volume of organizations and activities as you would at a large university, but this can also mean it's easier to get involved at a deeper level in the activities that interest you.

Furthermore, the community vibe at St. Mary's is quite unique, with its strong emphasis on inclusivity and social justice. With its smaller undergraduate population, it's easier to get to know people. Many students appreciate the welcoming, endearing atmosphere.

It's important to note that experiences are highly variable and depend on individual's perspective. Would suggest you to try and get in touch with current students or alumni of St. Mary's for more personalized understanding of the college life there. Also, if you can, visiting campus (in person or via virtual tour) might give you a better feel for if it’s the right place for you. Remember that fit encompasses academics, extracurriculars, and also social structures and the campus vibe. It's as important to feel at home on your college campus, as it is to find it academically challenging.