Among the first crossroads students and families face in the application process is deciding when to apply. At Santa Clara University (SCU), you can choose from Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Our counselors always recommend that you apply when you are the strongest. We encourage you, as an aspiring Bronco, to brainstorm with your counselor, whatever that may look like, and discern the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

As graduation approaches, I wanted to give my fellow senior Student Ambassadors a chance to reflect on the past four years at Santa Clara University. SCU has truly felt like home, and each of us has been uniquely involved and deeply connected to this community. It’s the people and the Bronco spirit that make this place so special, and I wanted to highlight some of the memories, lessons, and experiences we’ll be taking with us after graduation. Whether you’re a future student, a fellow senior, or somewhere in between, we hope these reflections inspire you, make you smile, and remind you of the unique spirit that makes SCU feel like home.

Transferring colleges is a significant decision, one that brings a mix of questions and excitement. At Santa Clara University, transfer students are a valued part of our community. To help prospective transfers better understand what the journey to SCU entails, I spoke with several current students who made the leap themselves. They shared their reasons for transferring, described the process, and reflected on how they found their place on campus. Whether you’re considering SCU or just beginning to explore your options, I hope their stories provide helpful insights and a sense of what it’s like to become a Bronco.

In my 8th-grade poetry journal, on the Bucket List page, sit the words “Go to college at Santa Clara University.” Though making that list was an assignment for class, the conviction was true: I’ve known I wanted to go to Santa Clara University (SCU) since I was around 13 years old. This is not that common, of course, as most students have no idea where they want to go. There are a lot of factors: location, size, academics, sports, weather, the surrounding area, and much more. Staying in-state is important to a lot of students, while others want to embark on a new adventure further from home. Every student is unique and has their own set of criteria for the school that best fits them. For me, SCU checked all the boxes. Here’s why I made the decision—and why it might be the right fit for you, too.

Through a broad core curriculum, robust extracurricular offerings, and a steadfast commitment to social justice, SCU applies cura personalis in all corners of campus–in and out of the classroom. This focus allows SCU to produce well-rounded graduates who, yes, have been very well-educated in their area of study–but who have also developed a wide variety of “soft skills” that they may take with them and apply to their post-SCU endeavors. This holistic approach is the hallmark of a Jesuit education.

The transfer student experience is a unique one here at Santa Clara University. Students transfer from community colleges and other four-year universities to continue their education here in the Silicon Valley. Hear from two of our current transfer students about what drew them to SCU as well as their experiences.

Caroline, a senior here at SCU is an international student from Jiangsu, China. In this blog, she provides a comprehensive insight into the life of an international student here at SCU and share her perspectives to help other international students understand the unique journey of studying abroad.

The supplemental essays are an essential part of your college application as they help the Admission Committee get to know you better as a person. Although Santa Clara University takes a holistic approach to assessing applications (we look at GPA, extracurriculars, essays, etc.), we want to provide you with a better understanding of how to answer these questions in particular to strengthen your overall application.

Congratulations on taking the first step to being a Bronco! As you begin your journey as a Bronco here at Santa Clara University, we are current students and want to share our recommendations, traditions, and go-to, that we hope you get to enjoy when you step foot on campus. We wish you all a great rest of senior year, a fun-filled summer, and cannot wait to see you on campus in the Fall!

With just around 100 days of summer vacation *cue the Phineas and Ferb theme song*, there is plenty of time to be productive while also enjoying your time away from school. Here are a couple of ways Santa Clara students spend their summers, and how you can spend yours over the next four years:

As a high school senior, I heavily relied on Bronco Exchange in order to meet new people, attend informational events, and ask questions. Whether you’re still unsure about where you want to spend the next four years, or are sure that SCU is your new home, Bronco Exchange can provide you with the resources you need!

There are some things in life that are more challenging for some than others, and for first-generation college students, that is college- and everything in-between. However, college doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for those who are the first in their family to attend. Keep reading for some tips from a first-generation college student and now, alumni, on how to make the best of your college experience!