Santa Clara University (SCU) Academics and Unique Programs

Academics

Santa Clara University, a Jesuit Catholic University, has been in operation for over 150 years in the Silicon Valley area of California. The university holds the distinction of having the fourth-highest graduation rate among U.S. master’s universities. Santa Clara University is organized into 5 schools and colleges including the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, School of Engineering, School of Law, Leavey School of Business and the Jesuit School of Theology.

The School of Law is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 law schools in the U.S. and the undergraduate engineering program is ranked among the top 30 engineering schools in the nation.Santa Clara University offers both undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to instilling the qualities of confidence, compassion and conscience while at the same time providing a quality education. Classes at Santa Clara are small with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1. This small class size has helped Santa Clara earn the highest average freshmen retention rate in the West.

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Information Summary

Ranks 7th in California and 77th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	95.9
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$71,778
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	32 / 1440
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	13 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	95% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,642

Unique Programs

One of the unique programs offered at Santa Clara University is Residential Learning Communities or RLCs. An RLC is a group of students who take classes together and live in the same residence hall. What makes these RLCs unique is that each RLC is organized around one or two themes such as community service or faith and justice. All freshmen will be members of an RLC. The RLC helps students form strong connections to each other, the university and the community.

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Admissions

Applying to Santa Clara University for undergraduate admissions involves the online submission of their common application, transcripts, Official SAT or ACT scores, school reports and letters of recommendation. The university does not require an interview but does encourage applicants to visit the campus and to talk with current students and alumni to get a complete picture of what getting an education at Santa Clara University is really like.

The early decision application process begins in November and continues through early spring. Freshmen applicants are encouraged to apply early.The graduate admissions process is similar to the undergraduate process but applications are submitted directly to the graduate school for the program the applicant wishes to pursue. Students wishing to pursue graduate studies at Santa Clara should contact the program directly to understand the current requirements for their desired field of study.

Financial Aid

The University understands the high cost of education can be cause for concern for many prospective students and does offer a full service Financial Aid office.

Some of the financial aid options available to students include scholarships and grants, student employment, and loans. The Financial Aid office can provide assistance in navigating the financial aid application process as well as providing advice to help students and their families choose the financial aid options which are the best fit for their individual situations.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3724th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in California.

Students

Santa Clara University has a campus that is rich with Spanish and Californian history. The 106-acre campus of Santa Clara University is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley area of California at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay. One of the biggest advantages of the location of Santa Clara campus is the close proximity to over 6,500 high-tech companies.

The campus has 50 buildings including two libraries, residence halls, an extensive athletics facility and a student center. At the heart of the campus is the Mission Santa Clara de Asis. The Mission was built in 1772 and is the eighth oldest of the original 21 California Missions. One of the beautiful historic features of the campus is the Adobe Lodge which was built in 1822 as part of the original Santa Clara Mission establishment. The Adobe Lodge is situated within the mission The campus is also home to the Center of Performing Arts and de Saisset Museum of Art and History.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Santa Clara has a strong tradition of powerful competitive sports teams. The Santa Clara Broncos compete in Division I with 19 intercollegiate sports teams. In addition, the university offers intramural sports, club sports, fitness classes and a wellness center. Many Santa Clara Broncos have gone on to participate in professional sports and the Olympics after graduation.

Alumni

Andy Ackerman ’78, TV producer and director
Ron Lagomarsino ’73, movie director
Shemar Moore ’92, TV actor
David Drummond ’86, Vice President and General Counsel, Google
Peter Oppenheimer MBA ’87, senior vice president and CFO, Apple Computer
Michael Mondavi ’66, past chairman, president & CEO of Robert Mondavi Corporation, founder of Folio Wine Company
Frank Cepollina ‘59, inventor, National Inventors Hall of Fame; deputy associate director, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Development Project at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown, Jr. ’59, governor of California (second term), former California State Attorney General, former mayor of Oakland
Janet Napolitano ’79, Secretary of Homeland Security Obama Admistration and former governor of Arizona
Brent Jones ’85, former professional football player, San Francisco 49ers, former NFL analyst for The NFL Today and CBS

Additional School Information

The Jesuit Tradition has a long and proud history at Santa Clara University. It is what makes Santa Clara special. This tradition is marked by a lifelong dedication to learning and a strong commitment to faith and values. These values are included throughout the curriculum and student life in an effort to promote holistic student development. All students receive a core foundation in religion, theology and culture.

Bibliography

Campus, www.scu.edu/aboutscu/history.cfm, web, 21 July 2011

Alumni, www.scu.edu/about/alumni/notable.cfm, web, 21 July 2011

Unique Programs, www.scu.edu/rlc/basics/, web, 21 July, 2011

Santa Clara Core-Curriculum Guide. Santa Clara: Santa Clara U, 2011. Web. 21 July, 2011 <http://www.scu.edu/provost/ugst/core2009/upload/Core-Guide-Web-Version-UPDATED-070611.pdf>.

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