Academics
Located “in the heart of Silicon Valley,” Santa Clara University is a mid-size Jesuit school that blends “the Jesuit philosophy of social justice” with access to the “the tech capital of the world.” That proximity means “job opportunities are neverending,” and that students have easy access to a “great alumni network.” Overall, undergrads note that “academics are challenging but not unbearable,” mentioning popular majors in retail studies, business, art, and engineering. Taking advantage of its prime location, the school offers opportunities outside the classroom as well—“Students … get involved on all levels, whether it be on campus, domestically, or internationally.” This is achieved through “clubs, immersion trips, fellowship programs, … and study abroad” programs. These initiatives serve to offer a “holistic curriculum [that] encompasses all aspects of knowledge,” one undergrad says. Faculty members take the same approach, and one student notes that professors “are caring about not just the students’ learning, but their lives outside of the classroom.” A few students comment that some professors are “only teaching because they have to in order to do research,” but the general impression is one of “qualified and knowledgeable” industry professionals who are “leaders in their fields.” One student offers a summation of praise: “Good academics, great professors, beautiful campus.”
Student Body
Santa Clara Broncos say their peers are “collaborative,” “caring,” and “helpful.” Many comment on the “strong sense of community” created by students who are “willing to work and help each other accomplish success in their areas of study.” And while “the academic scene is very competitive,” the majority of people “here are interested in helping others and working together to create positive change in the world.” Many “students come from the Bay Area” and are “mostly upper-class people from private schools,” and while the consensus is that SCU’s student body is “not diverse, … [it is] generally very positive and welcoming.” It is “a warm and inclusive atmosphere,” one undergrad says. Politically, “the school is fairly liberal but also has a big conservative base to it.”
Campus Life
The Santa Clara campus is always buzzing with activity because “students are highly involved in at least one aspect of university life, whether it be academic commitment, extracurricular activities, career development, or social networking.” Fitness is a popular focus of choice: Most days you’ll “see people packing the gym” because Broncos “love to work out.” Of course, this is if they find the extra time— students are often “engaged in internships” or “studying in the library, socializing in the student center, or hanging out in their … residence halls.” And because “the weather here is absolutely amazing,” people “are usually outside … for studying, reading, [or] relaxing.” They also manage to squeeze in Greek Life: “Sorority and fraternity culture is prevalent (but not dominating), and that involves a lot of partying,” one student says. Others add, “there are a lot of parties going on throughout the week,” but say it is balanced with “non-drinking on-campus alternatives.” Beyond campus, “SCU is a stone’s throw away from [the mountains and beach in] Santa Cruz, San Francisco, [and] Lake Tahoe.” It’s a “great local area [with] so much to do,” declares one happy student.
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