Hi!
Thanks so much for answering so many questions!!!
I am a senior applying to colleges right now and am considering Santa Clara for ED or at least EA.
My mom is a Santa Clara graduate and I have visited the campus once. I live in NJ.
I have questions 
What is the student environment at SCU like?
How much financial aid would I probably get if I have a 3.76 weighted GPA, 30 ACT, and 1370 new SAT and annual income above $100,000?
Does SCU consider family circumstances during the application process?
How does SCU handle crimes on campus?
What is awesome about going to college at SCU?
Thanks again!!!
Hi @ā800m In My Bloodā,
I tried looking online to find out the info you requested, but I couldnāt find it anywhere! Here is the number for the Athletics Department, 408-554-4063. They should be open 9am-5pm to answer your question!
Hello @CocoaPie,
Those are some really great questions!
The environment on campus is one of my favorite things about Santa Clara. The first thing that comes to mind is that students really are a community that cares about what happens to each other and what happens on campus. People are super friendly, and always willing to answer questions if you have them, this wasnāt something I was expecting when I arrived on campus, but itās become one of the things I appreciate most. Students are also very involved with clubs, intramurals, and other activities on campus, which is great because there is something for everyone! However, one thing Iāve noticed is that when it comes to showing up to sports games, there isnāt much of a fan base.
For financial aid, itās actually handled in a completely different department than Undergraduate Admission. This is to separate the application process from the financial aspect. If you want to ask them any questions about aid, send an email to onestop@scu.edu with detailed info, such as your question about family circumstances.
SCU as a University and our Campus Safety Services takes crime on campus very seriously. They do their best to address the issue immediately, and let students know about the issues as soon as possible through email, voicemail, and text messages. We also have Blue Light systems stationed around campus, and offer Campus Safety escorts if students do not want to walk alone when its dark. Personally, I havenāt experience any major issues with crime on campus. However when there were issues, I felt safe knowing that the problem was being addressed immediately by a very capable team.
Itās hard to describe why SCU is awesome because there are so many great things about this school. I think part of it leads back to your first question, and another huge aspect is the actual education Iām receiving. The best part about attending a small, Jesuit school is that every single one of my classes has been taught by an actual professor, and many of my classes center around the same values. This, along with small class sizes makes the learning experience feel more personalized, and I donāt feel intimidated to ask questions. Iāve built relationships with professors that have completely enhanced my educational career, and I couldnāt imagine having that at a much bigger school.
I hope this helped! Good luck with applications!
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Thank you so much!!!
It was really helpful!
If you have time to answer a few more questions:
How are SCUās undergraduate neuroscience and psychology programs?
How does the school handle sexual assault?
Is the school very conservative?
Hello -
My son is interested in the Leavey School of Business. How does SCUās program differ from other undergrad programs like Calās Haas, LMU or Cal Poly SLO? Also, given that the campus is located in the Silicon Valley, do you feel a heavy influence of technology on campus?
How much do the writing supplements factor in to the application?
@CocoaPie,
SCU launches itās Neuro program next year, so I couldnāt tell you how that one fairs. However, Iāve taken courses from two of the Faculty on the Program council, and they are two of the best professors Iāve ever had so itās definitely going to be in good hands. Iām actually considering adding Neuro as a second major myself!
I have a few friends who are Psych majors, and they seem to really enjoy it! From what Iāve heard, the professors are great for the most part, and the classes/their content are very interdisciplinary, so they pair well with other courses and majors.
As for sexual assault, the university takes it very seriously, just as is the case with all crime on campus. Most of the representatives of the university are mandated reporters, so once they are given notice of the sexual assault, are required to report the incident to the Office of Student Life. Once it reaches their hands, they will work with the student to determine the best course of action. Students can also work with our Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), our Wellness Center, as well as our Violence Prevention Program should they choose to talk to someone who is not a mandated reporter. The Office of Student life also offers an anonymous reporting system as well.
While SCU is a Jesuit Institution, which is often associated with conservative ideals, I would say that the campus climate is generally pretty neutral. The university does a really good job of letting students of all beliefs and backgrounds experience college in the way that is most comfortable to them. However, since it is the most political season of the year, I would also say that students are more vocal than usual about their political beliefs, but this hasnāt impacted my experience in a significant way.
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HI @sleeplessmom1,
To be honest, I am not the most knowledgeable on the Business School, so I would recommend emailing the Undergraduate Business Program at ugbprograms@scu.edu, or give them a call at 408-5544491.
For technology, I would say that it is very present on campus, but not for the sole reason that we are in the Silicone Valley. The university stays pretty up to date in technology to benefit students and faculty, to make the learning experience as smooth as possible. Many professors prefer that students refrain from using technology during class, while others embrace it and integrate it into their teaching plan.
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Hi @chelcischool,
I found this great website that can answer almost all of your questions about writing supplements:
https://www.petersons.com/college-search/ask-experts-application-essay.aspx
Good luck!
Hi @vschuSCU
I am currently a senior in high school. Throughout high school, I was interested in the pre med route so I took a lot of the science related classes such as Ap bio and Ap Chem, and Psychology. However, I am considering majoring in business because I have become interested in the field. The problem is the only business-related classes that I have taken are Calculus AB AP and Ap Statistics. Do you think I can apply to Santa Clara University as a business major if I have not taken any business related courses such as Ap Econ? Or should I apply as a science major, such as Biology or Psychology, then later change my major to business? If so, is it difficult to change major from one college to a completely different one? What do you recommend that I do? Any advises and comments are welcome. Thank you!!!
Hi @Lambo_1269,
Thatās a really great question! If youāre even slightly interested in business, I would recommend applying to the Leavey School of Business (LSB), instead of applying to the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS). As a SCU student, it is much more difficult to transfer into the LSB later in your undergraduate career versus starting out in the school. If you later decide that youāre no longer interested in business, Iām pretty sure you can transfer back into the CAS (you should check with an admission counselor on that) and begin a natural science major. Changing majors is definitely possible, however anytime a student changes majors, they do have to start fresh in that major with all of the lower-division courses as well as making sure they have all of the pre-requisites. This may put you a little behind your peers, however if you decide that this is the best route for you, thereās always ways to catch up!
Even if you are in the LSB, you are also going to be taking classes in the CAS such as your university core curriculum, and if you are interested in the pre-med route you can also take courses that would fufil those requirements.
Good luck!
Hi @vschuSCU
I wanted to know if it is okay to take a risk on a supplemental essay for SCU. On the question that asks about what part of their strategic vision appeals to you I wrote a story and related it to how it pertains to SCUās vision. Is that ok? I wanted to write something that the admisssions officers would remember.
Quick question about merit scholarships. Do you know what the GPA is for keeping the Presidential or Provost scholarships if awarded. I could find that the Johnson requires a 3.5 GPA, but could find nothing about the other two. Thank you for your help.
Hi @salty.sath.2017,
Sorry for the late response, weāve just finished up with finals so Iām catching up with everything. Itās hard to give a yes or no answer to your question because Iām not going to be the one reading it. That being said, I would say as long as you answer the question somewhere in your essay you should be fine. Itās great that you want to stand out and the counselors will appreciate it, just make sure youāre still doing what the essay asks of you.
Hi @mtrosemom,
I wasnāt able to find that information on the website either, so I would send an email to our office at admission@scu.edu and someone will be able to answer that for you.
Thanks @vschuSCU. Just out of curiosity, how difficult is it really to keep a 3.5? I know every kid is different, but in general, do the profs grad harder than you wold of expected or easier?
I hope you finals went well.
@mtrosemom,
Based on personal experience and experiences of other students who Iāve talked to, if you are doing other things on campus such as club or intramural sports, working a job, or participating in our clubs and activities, it can be pretty difficult. Most people I know are doing multiple of those things, and have to work really hard to maintain their GPA at the level they want or need it to be.
Compared to high school, where everyone who put in a lot of effort could get a 4.0, here at SCU it is much more challenging. I wouldnāt say itās about professors grading harder, they just expect a lot more from you. When youāre juggling everything you want to participate in at once, it is hard to maintain a 3.5. It also depends on which major youāre in, and how many majors/minors youāve taken on.
Itās definitely not impossible, but it does take a lot of time, diligence, and organization.
Thanks for the well wishes!
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Is the website correct when it says there is absolutely no merit aid to transfer students? It seems like an odd policy for such a highly ranked school.
@vschuSCU
Hi Veronica! What year are you in and what are you majoring in? Sorry if you mentioned it before.
Also, do you happen to have experience with the disability resources? Iām looking to hear a students perspective? thank you!
@vschuSCU
Hey Veronica, I was wondering how much is it per unit at SCU?