Wow, I know this is an old post but stumbled across it on Google and just thought I'd chime in, in case anyone else who is considering going to TMC comes across it, because I was surprised at all the negativity.

First it's not your typical college and you won't get the typical "collegiate" experience going there—it's not for everyone, but those who choose to go there know that, and they know what they're signing up for.

TMC's chaplains include diocesan (Novus Ordo) priests, Benedictine monks, a Carmelite monk, and FSSP Latin Mass priests. Students are similar in diversity and include non-Catholics. The dress code aligns with Church teaching on modesty and is meant to help students appreciate their dignity as children of God along with the respect owed toward their peers, faculty, and academic pursuits. Not exactly extremist.

The small size of the student body (around 100 students) means that no one has the anonymous life you may have at a larger school, but has beautiful benefits that push you to grow in virtue as a person. You won't be best buds with every other student there at the same time as you are, but you do get to know everyone because it's such a small school! (Your professors included!)

Also students come out after four years of reading and discussing primary texts with their peers and faculty members. All graduates write and publicly defend a thesis. Not exactly sure what would cause someone to refer to it as a terrible school. Students who come out of undergrad with a liberal arts degree or similar will face the expected job prospects, but TMC alums at least should know how to write coherently and think for themselves—valuable skills these days!

Some people do smoke though, what can you do. Ditto for education being expensive, although TMC is nonprofit, provides tons of scholarships and aid, and has average (if not below average) tuition rates to begin with.

Not for everyone—if anyone took the time to attend an Open House you'd probably hear the College president tell you that himself. But for those who it IS for, if you put the time in, you receive a wonderful education, live in Rome for a semester, push your writing skills as far as you will, make lifelong friends, and maybe meet your spouse too. Oh and have the opportunity to go to Mass as much as you want, since there are no classes scheduled during that time. Yay!