Santa Clara University – What’s not to like with a nickname of “Claradise”?  Santa Clara, a mid-sized Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California is a gem of a college.  The Silicon Valley campus is a short ride from the San Francisco airport.  It certainly didn’t hurt that it was 70 degrees and sunny – maybe that is why all of the students seemed upbeat and happy, but it is more than the weather that keeps spirits up.  Here are some of the highlights:

  • Core Curriculum –Santa Clara is at heart a liberal arts school that offers a core curriculum educating the whole student. The curriculum focuses on three core areas:  Knowledge, Habits of Mind and Heart (skills), and Engagement with the World.  All first-year students are members of a Residential Learning Community and take courses in critical thinking and cultures connected to their learning community. Santa Clara emphasizes community service as an essential part of its curriculum.
  • Two pre-professional programs – In addition to the liberal arts, Santa Clara offers pre-professional programs in engineering and business. The 3-2 engineering program allows students to receive a masters degree in five years.
  • Campus – The campus is a spectacular mix of palm trees, fountains and bountiful gardens. The highlight, the mission gardens, is a peaceful sanctuary complete with olive trees.  New facilities blend in well with the old, giving the campus a feeling of its history and its vision.  Given the location in the Silicon Valley, there are many opportunities for jobs, internships and research.
  • Community Service – Community service is not only part of the required curriculum, it permeates the atmosphere on campus. About 40% of the students are Catholic although students from all backgrounds are embraced.  Through the campus ministry, many students are involved in outreach and volunteer organizations.
  • Social Life – Greek life is not available on campus although it seems alive and well off campus. Greek life does not dominate the social scene, however.  There are more than 150 clubs.  Students say that clubs are easy to join and inclusive.  The Division 1 Santa Clara Broncos have done very well, especially in women’s soccer.  (Does anyone remember that the star soccer athletes in Bend it Like Beckham went to Santa Clara?)  The campus is very active and students certainly have their pick of activities for fun and enrichment.