Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University at 500 El Camino Real is widely regarded in the Silicon Valley community as an exceptional institution where a Jesuit-inspired moral compass perfectly aligns with the cutting-edge demands of the tech industry. From various discussions with neighbors and alumni, it is clear that the university’s reputation for cultivating "men and women for others" is more than just a motto; it is a lived reality reflected in the high ethical standards and leadership skills of its graduates. Friends whose children have attended often praise the stunning, mission-style campus as a serene backdrop for an education that offers unparalleled access to industry-leading internships and professional networks. In professional circles, the consensus is that SCU consistently produces well-rounded individuals who possess both the technical prowess and the critical thinking necessary to navigate today’s complex global landscape. It is truly heartening to hear so many firsthand accounts of how this university empowers its students to integrate professional success with a genuine commitment to social responsibility and community service.

Santa Clara University A really nice campus. Beautiful buildings, well maintained and very clean. It has a historic feel with plenty of architectural buildings to appreciate. We didn’t go inside any of them just walked around campus. There is an old church that may be worth a look. You can walk-on campus but to visit the campus by car you have to get a visitor parking pass either by the entry or go to the security booth. The security were very nice and will give you a map of the campus. The campus exudes a sense of affluence, and it's evident that there's wealth here. While walking around, we came accross a teacher's meeting were all the teachers were very well dressed. They looked more like professionals in corporate attire than your typical brainy educators. The neighborhood around the campus is well-maintained and felt safe. The campus atmosphere felt friendly but also a bit preppy. Despite that, the campus is definitely worth a visit, as it's beautiful.

During my visit to Santa Clara University, I was impressed by its blend of modern and historic architecture, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The sense of community and academic passion among students and faculty stood out, showcasing the university's commitment to both learning and social responsibility. The campus's well-equipped facilities and serene outdoor spaces left a lasting impression of Santa Clara University's holistic approach to education.

Gorgeous campus, I come walking here every day. Gardens and flower beds are immaculate. Love it. There’s bathrooms by the parking lot on Lafayette as well as next to the science building. They’ve been mostly locked over Covid and distance learning. Security guards on campus are usually patrolling around, it’s well lit with emergency phones. Don’t use the vending machine by the science building, it’s been faulty for years lol. There’s a Safeway close by but you can’t bring a picnic and linger if you’re not a student. You can walk around and use the benches etc and take photos. If you use a professional photographer they’ll ask for a permit. The art museum is free and worth a visit. It’s been closed with Covid though.

Beautiful and historic campus! New STEM and Innovation center almost finished. Should be ready for the fall. Buildings still closed for tours, but there are some students living on campus and it feels like life is returning! Hopefully will be back to normal for the fall, God willing!

Walking the grounds was tranquil and serene. One of the most beautiful UC campuses. Many paths, statues and squirrels 🐿️! The Santa Clara mission is not far and a theater that has worth while events. Well kept grounds, even to have lunch at the bench! All of this and within city limits.

Beautiful campus full of photogenic corners and wide common areas for students. Staff is really friendly. It is worth a small visit to sightsee for a while,take a stroll and enjoy the scenery. During winter it is full of roses and other flowers, giving a colorful and joyful vibe to the whole campus.

What a beautiful campus of University and surrounding area. My son is lucky enough to study in this university to pursue his M S. Most suitable place for study. Library is one of the best

We checked out Santa Clara University during our Bay Area trip. It is a private Jesuit university in Santa Clara. It's a beautiful campus and historic. It reminds me a little bit of Stanford University. We walked around the campus, and we liked the beautiful landscaping and amazing architecture. It's very clean and well-maintained. It looked very quiet, peaceful, and safe.

Established in 1851, this university Expanded to more than 106 acres in the heart of Silicon Valley, it's the oldest operating institution of higher learning in California. The campus surrounded by a Museum, huge Holy Catholic Church, Dobe Lodge, Malley Fitness Center, Music and Dance Building, Arts& Sciences Building, Sobrato Residence Hall, Kenna Hall, Bellamy Field, Huge Stephen Stadium, Army ROTC, Bakery, Cafe, and many other Historical Architectural Buildings!!!! My review is mainly about the most Captivated Mission Garden right in the Center of it all. Gorgeous Greenery, lovely landscape, and absolutely fabulous fragrances in the air!!!! This is my second year of Springtime on Campus. Wisteria, Huge China Roses, Cherry Blossoms Trees, Yellow/White Angel Trumpets, and Bush Lilies are among some of my favorites here all over the University Campus. Absolutely wonderful breath of Fresh Air!!!!!4/15/2025

My Alma mater! I am currently attending graduate school here as well after undergraduate! Great professors; opportunities, and the people are kind and really emphasize on their Jesuit values of cura personalis, caring for the whole person.

Really happy with this school and the students. My son plays on a sports team and the students are good guys, smart and sociable. A review said it's unsafe and I don't know where that's coming from. I know a student in 2015 stabbed his dorm roommate but that was an isolated incident. This is a safe city, it's not Berkeley. The professors are accessible during office hours. Like any college or school, there are good ones and bad ones. Most of the bad ones were in classes of difficult subjects. There are no religious overtones despite it being Catholic. Jesuit education is actually interesting. My son took an acting class and a screenwriting class to fulfill requirements and he enjoyed them. Had it not been within a requirement, he wouldn't have chosen them. They also have to take religion classes but the selection is huge and they aren't all straight "religion" classes, there's a nice variety. The one downside Is the dining hall. The food is expensive and not all that great although my son did figure out which items were good and stuck with them. Students use Ubers & Lyfts and there's plenty of restaurants nearby so there's DoorDash for $5/month "free" deliveries. The nearby Westfield mall has a food court and there are restaurants on El Camino Real. There's a mandatory 2-year dorm stay to avoid being a commuter school. There are frats & sororities but SCU is unaffiliated with it. It's not a huge Greek system, it's not necessary for friendships but I suppose it is for parties. Females can attend any frat party but males cannot. Frats sometimes have day parties (darties) on Saturdays where males can attend. As with all colleges these days, try to make friends ASAP so you're not left behind without a group.

I am very impressed with SCU, from the beautiful campus to the great students I've recruited from there. I have taught as an adjunct professor in the Law School, and I have lectured undergraduate students in general law and business ethics. Students there have a strong sense of purpose, and the teachers and professors focus on character as much as academice, producing and encouraging good citizens and problem solvers. A visit to the campus reveals a spralling campus with top notch sports facilities and modern classroom and laboratory buildings juxtaposed with traditional California styled adobe structures. The Jesuit spirit is alive and well at this university, reinforcing ethics, grit and good will throughout the community. Whether you are looking for a place to learn and accomplish your career goals or you are recruiting, I highly recommend this university.

THIS SCHOOL HAS NO RESPECT FOR ITS STUDENTS. example: the administration decided to silently change its handling of financial aid without notice, leaving some students (mostly seniors!!) unable to pay for their education. no transparency, not even an acknowledgement of the decision, much less any attempt to remedy the situation. this kind of scheming behavior typifies the values that you will encounter at this school. my partner has been trying to get the school to stop referring to them by their actual name rather than deadname for several years to no avail. do you really want to trust an institution incapable of such a basic clerical task with your hard earned money? (and boy, will they be wanting lots of it!!) if you want to pay out the rear to mingle with ingenuine slack-offs and spoiled children, at least shoot for a school with some prestige to its name... USC perhaps... in this day and age there is really no point wasting your time here.

This is one of the most beautiful university campus in California. The campus is well take maintained and green year round. The most beautiful time to visit is always in the spring and summer. We were lucky enough to attend some events here and able to walk the grounds. There were so many flowers blooming. Absolutely gorgeous! The wisteria arbor was lovely and stunning! If I lived nearby I'd be taking a stroll around campus every day.

Be very careful here. These people will cite you for parking even though you paid for parking. park at your own risk.

Pretty school campus in the middle of Santa Clara. We walked around the campus and love the garden with flowers and trees.

Beautiful campus and historic place. I have been here many times and the staff and students are all very friendly and professional. A lot of people I know went here and became very successful. The law school is very good too. They have an excellent cafeteria with many food options. They also host many public events and speakers. I saw a few shows from the drama department that were fun. There's a lot of construction going on, making things better. The new law school building is very nice and has modern classrooms and good technology.

Two of my sons are enjoying SCU tremendously. Visit the campus during the school year and you'll see why. Most of the students are balanced, both smart and sociable. Professors are accessible during office hours and they care. Classes are filmed in case you are sick and have to miss. Classes are small, campus is small, clean, and beautifully landscaped and manicured. There are two huge malls about a 10-minute drive from campus, there are lots of restaurants of all types about a 10-minute drive (students use Zipcars). Across the street from campus is a grocery store and there are eateries.

We've been coming here for the last four years while our daughter attended school. It's a nice place to visit but it doesn't have all the cool and hip amenities as some other universities I've visited. Due to the ongoing C19 pandemic we were worried that we couldn't attend the graduation ceremonies but the county allowed the school to have guests and grads on site.

To be up front, this is more of a review of the Mission Gardens than the actual University itself. Decided to come here while we were in California since hubby and I both enjoy gardens. The gardens are right by Mission Church and are so lovely to look at. What a sensory delight to smell the old-fashioned tea roses! Amazing to walk through the wisteria pergola and to behold the flowers that don't grow here in the mid-west. Oh, what I wouldn't give to grow hydrangeas as large as theirs. So happy to see their garden!

This review is solely based on my experience with a photographer shooting our family for Mother's Day. So please, keep that in mind.... Great place to meet for your session! Whether it's for you and your Bu or a full fledged family, scope this place out! You'll love all you see. From benches, rows of multicolored roses, early 20th century states and architecture, this place was amazing to say the least. Numerous spots for perfect landscape backdrops.

I came here for a campus visit and fell in love with it. I love that it is named after St Claire and that it is the oldest university in California. The gardens and landscaping are stunning and it has a lot of history including of course the mission. The buildings are modern and well equipped. They have really good sports programs and relationships with the tech community in Silicon Valley. A great option for kids entering college.

On a campus visit with the nephew. The campus is empty, however still able to enjoy the beautiful grounds and the architecture. Santa Clara University, a private Jesuit university is consistently in the Top 15 percent universities nationwide.

Education and the ideal of being a person for others is an important part of the educational experience here. I've seen the Santa Clara University grow quite a bit over the last 30 some odd years. The Alameda used to cut right through the campus near where it turns into El Camino Real. Now, it is a really pleasant green grassy area right in front of the fantastic library. The university is always nice to walk through, especially around the Mission Santa Clara de Asis church. The Mission gardens harbor ancient wisteria vines and loads of roses. A short walk away is an adobe wall that has stood for around two hundred years. Yes, there is some impressive history here. The academics, professors and student body are really top notch.

Great library with a studious atmosphere open to the public. If you have a San Jose library card, you can borrow using it. Very open for a private university. The tenured faculty is just as snooty as any other non -public, well-paid institution, but you have to take the good with the bad. Adjuncts work hard of course. That's the nature of the universe.

Proud grad of SCU. Great choice for me to be close to family and nearby to so many amazing places. My degree has carried me far with my career along with many good friends and a lifetime of memories. I believe the university is really one of the finest around and highly recommend the university. Especially enjoy the mission gardens. The mission and the faith based part of this top ranked Jesuit University.

I gotta say...I tried really hard to think of any good points after going to this university. I could not find any good points. The best parts were finding my friends through the Multicultural Center, and that's all basically student-run. I can't actually give the university any credit for that. Thanks to federal grants and scholarships, I was able to afford tuition here...but besides the small class sizes and all the fancy free food I would grab from campus events, it's really not worth it. They will hire more people of color as student ambassadors than what actually represents the student population and make them give tours around the campus, falsely giving guests the impression that the school is diverse. No, it is not a diverse campus and they've consistently done a poor job making people of color feel safe and accounted for as legitimately part of the community. Search Google and you will find some very public stories over decades. People of color that are interested in SCU should avoid attending as an undergraduate student here unless you get a really good financial aid package or free ride/tuition paid for. Bureaucracy is real at Santa Clara University, and little has changed over the years. I also joined for alumni connections; yeah, no. I think alumni connections don't apply to people of color because I did not find the connections I was expecting and looking for. The campus is nice, but that's it, really.

Grad school was really meh with inflated tuition. Their admission standards are also questionable as we had a 1L in our class who didn't know how many justices are on the Supreme Court. She ultimately dropped out but not before paying $40K for the year. Despite charging such an exorbitant fee, the school will still nickel and dime students by writing them a parking ticket whenever they can and selling stale meals at Palo Alto-esque prices. As soon as you graduate, of course, the emails and phone calls start to come in to ask you to "give back." I hear they troll LinkedIn for those alumni with jobs to harass them for donations. Not sure if it's true but I wouldn't put it past the school administrators.

This is an Ivy League University with roots in the Catholic church. They even have a nice church on the grounds. That being said people of all faiths or there lack of go and work here. They have a great Law school here that I was going to attend before I changed my career goals and degree. I still know people who work here and have been on campus many time either to see the Anti-Human trafficking exabits or holding mock courts and class room teachings for my internship at Fresh Lifelines for Youth. All in all this is a great University and a great place for the Santa Clara community.

Santa Clara is an interesting university, it's a nice visit if you haven't seen the campus. It's a pretty campus and very small so it's easy to access and walk around. If you are in the area, it would be worth checking it out. As for attending, we have experience and they have good faculty although like any university their faculty / teaching at the collegiate level is all levels (you get what you get!). They have nice facilities in general although they have poor maintenance of the housing facilities once you are signed up. It's a solid university choice but be aware that they do have a lot of crime around campus. They often send out alerts about people attacking others, someone with a knife, etc. so it's scary. They just offered two zoom classes on active threats. There is a Safeway by campus which is handy but that seems to be where some of the issues occur so be aware. The reason for the average is honestly due to their lack of good administrative support. They are rarely available (either in person or via phone) and they staff with students who just can't help for whatever reason - either they don't have any authority or they aren't trained. Good on them for offering students jobs but they are in key areas so if you have a late fee, or emergency in housing and your fire alarm in your room has been going off for 8 hours, etc. you are just stuck. If you can't get any classes and you're waitlisted, good luck with that! If you call in and you are frustrated they will hang up the phone on you (housing) because you used the wrong tone. They judge you based upon your tone of voice and it better not be frustrated. The parents forum issues I personally have seen (I don't follow them all the time) are usually around administrative issues with the occasional poor faculty complaint but you will see some poor teaching at most colleges with X% of classes. How much you pay in tuition does not equate to high quality teaching I've noticed. In general, a solid regional university that is small and easily accessible with good academics but lacking what you will see at the larger universities. Just wish their administrative staff would take a customer service approach and help the students during business hours with some after hours in a meaningful productive way.

Santa Clara has a beautiful campus. It is just perfect. I have visited hundreds of campuses and I have to say that Santa Clara is in the top 10 most beautiful campuses in the country for sure.

This school is pretty awesome if you're not paying for it! I would go and talk to your boss and demand that they pay for your education. That's just smart investing! If they invest in you, then you turn around and improve the company tenfold! Please someone tell me how that is a bad thing?! Anyway, I'm going here for robotics because it is one of the very few schools with that program. Soon I will lead the Robot Revolution!

The 2017 Santa Clara Law Review Symposium: Sanctuary Jurisdictions. ^ I went to this last week on Friday. With what's been going on after elections and before the elections.. I couldn't be more proud of our Sanctuary cities and the Santa Clara Review for bringing this event. There's great conferences and resources out there. This event was great for practicing attorneys, members of the judiciary, legal scholars, and law students. It's great for the public as well. There's a lot of rumors out there, but you get facts here.. and more of open dialogue. Totally recommend.

This university has been a HUGE disappointment! Im so glad I have a senior who is done in just a few days! There is no communication with the parents, the professors love to brainwash the students with their politics, and handling the covid was a absolut disappointment! This school claims to be Jesuit. However, they promoted and formed a SNITCH CLUB to encourage students to snitch on other students for breaking rules off campus!! I dont think this is in alignment with the Jesuit belief system...the education is just OK. Not worth the high tuition at all. They have made ZERO effort for the graduating class to feel like they are a part of this community. These behaviors come with natural consequences.....they will not recieve any $$ from parents or students who are graduating this year!! I would be surprised if this institution exists in the next 5 years. What a shame!

I had less than an ideal experience being an athlete raped by a teammate and told it was my problem and now I really really detest everything about this racist, sexist, hypocritical university. I have been trying for MONTHS to get in touch with the registrar as they MESSED UP and didn't affirm my transcripts thus preventing me from going to graduate school. They don't care. Called them, emailed them. Guess Covid means they don't have to go to work? Don't waste your money, or risk your well being by attending this university. They are literally holding me back in life after pocketing 200k. Unbelievable the lack of attention guidance and structure.

Kappa sigma: If you like cheap vodka, little men, terrible dancing, and Carley Rae Jepsen,,, then recommend. If not I would compare this to having a birthday party in a Walmart ally. Side note they played every TikTok song and raved to them,,, still can't believe this happened; my poor eyes need some lasik eye surgery after that.

I am always amazed at how this University keeps getting more beautiful. My husband and I studied there when the Alameda still went straight through campus. Now there is no trace of that road, and the SCU campus is rated one of the most beautiful in the nation. With the mission church and gardens, it's worth a visit whether or not you are looking to study there. My son attends SCU now, and when we visited recently during family weekend, we could see that they are maintaining the highest standards with each addition to the campus. I loved the new art history building and the maker lab in guadalupe hall. I was struck by a new prevalence of fine art displayed throughout. It definitely spruced up Benson center.

LOL. I'm trying to get over the fact that the law school is even listed on Yelp (or the fact that I actually looked it up)! It's over a six-figure commitment and three years of life, not just something to "try" like a restaurant or dessert joint around the block. This review is not about the legal profession and my personal experience in law, but just the school. The former would be a essay in volumes. I'm from the South Bay so Santa Clara was the logical choice since I didn't want to move. They have a early decision program and I got in the December before the following fall when I started (I didn't apply anywhere else and saved on app fees and trouble). I made lifelong friends here and enjoyed my time at school. The property is great, classes are clean and new, law library has been renovated, most of the professors are available and cooperative, there are many opportunities to volunteer and study abroad (Munich program!), the gym has a great pool, there's a cafeteria and lounge with a bar and pool tables and you are provided as many free earplugs as you like. Overall, I was content and satisfied with my experience here. I graduated in 2006 and enjoyed most of my professors, especially my first year professors that I took again later. I passed the bar the first time (thank God) and landed a sweet job. What more can you ask for? I know I disclaimed that I was going to write about my personal experiences, but here's one caveat if you're thinking about going to law school: You can't expect things to "fall" into your lap in law school. You have to work for it. Not everyone is cut out for the legal profession, let alone law school. It takes persistence, hard work and commitment (life-long). Also, just b/c you received high marks in college doesn't mean you'll necessarily do the same in law school (or vice versa). Work hard and good luck!

This was my alma mater. I loved Santa Clara University despite the insanely high price tag because I really did feel like they were able to provide me with the best education that I wanted, custom tailored to my needs. I was an Engineering & Business major and was able to complete over 400 units with the help of the academic committee allowing me to do all kinds of corner cutting with pre-requisite classes to help me achieve my goals. They didn't just spat out NO in my face, instead they really worked with me on a plan and tried to accommodate my needs while still in keeping with why these pre-requisites were there . Yes, I paid for it, but in the end isn't that what education is about? People who are there to help your to propel you forward. I liked that my professors mostly had real world experience, that they didn't do a ton of research and were always available during office hours and even outside of those hours. I enjoyed the small class sizes and their attention to detail. I love that once you have your mind set on something people in your department are there to help you achieve it. That's hard to find in public schools and even some other private school institutions. I definitely felt that the education I received from Santa Clara played a crucial part in paving way for my graduation and opportunities I got when I did graduate. I would recommend Santa Clara and would definitely do it again if I had to!

Came visit before COVID. Beautiful campus with a long history as well. Don't forget to visit the chapel when you are there. Here is how it looks https://youtu.be/vLYkRqx4UMY

What can I say, I love running in this campus! I love the fact that it is close to my apartment, so running here is easy. There are times when I feel so exhausted running, so knowing going home is close by gives me motivation to just go for it. Also, the campus is "Donald Trump Yuge," so running several times around the campus is good enough for my night run. I usually run at night after work/dinner, so I love the fact that there are tons of people around (some working out as well) & the place is brightly lit so it feels very secured! You will see me running there almost every night, like tonight for example. I am that guy that has his iPhone on his pocket and it lights up my work shorts hehe (just on the left side). Hey, I don't have one of those armbands where yoh put your iphone and I use youtube for my workout songs, so my iphone will always be lit haha! Buy me one! SCU is a beautiful campus to take a stroll...so make sure you do!

Gorgeous Wisteria on campus!!! The most beautiful campus I've ever seen in my life! It's more like a resort than an university. Just GORGEOUS

Speaking from the prospective of a business major, this university is just amazing, especially if you're an accounting or finance major. So many connections and so many support alumni who come back to recruit! However, don't despair if you're not a business major. Santa Clara has tons of on campus organizations that are easy to get involved with, thus easy to hold leadership positions. Most of the professors are amazing and could be your mentors on top of just being a professor. Definitely take advantage of office hours as it will help you get to know your professors more and they are always willing to help students having trouble in class. Love the small class sizes, it helps students engage themselves more, and you can more easily befriend people in class. Obviously with small class sizes comes a small campus. Personally I'd like it if it was a bigger campus but there are people who prefer tiny campuses. Not TOO much to do around campus, at least nothing compared to Downtown SJ. You have the usual Taco Bell, Subway, Safeway, yogurt places, and some smaller restaurants. Good neighborhood too.

Ok - maybe I'm a little biased.....I graduated from here. I liked this place - small world feel and good weather. The classes were small, the people - even if they were naive and sometimes trite meant well - and have you seen the roses? What's not to like? Grant it they aren't as political as some places and not as progressive as others.....but you're not going here for that.

Who does not love this campus! Day or night, to attend any event, or just to smell the myriad of roses they have there. Or why not say checking a mission is so cool? It is a wonderful university. I cannot tell about the educations they offer in this case, as I haven't studied there, but know some friends who did and all very happy with their experience there. As for me, I have been at the theater for different shows and also visiting the art museum or just walking around, and love every single time spent there. If you don't feel like spending too much in parking, you can always park at the shopping center across the street and then walk. One of the prettiest and not huge campuses I have ever seen.

I graduated from Santa Clara University in June 2011 as an Accounting Major. I must say that this was the best 4 years of my life based on two aspects: people and education. Prior to SCU, I attended a high school full of judgmental, immature children. SCU welcomed me with open arms and introduced me to open-minded, unique and priceless individuals. The quality of education I received here is unsurpassed. All of my class sizes ranged from 15-40 students, which allowed each professor to provide their undivided attention to the entire class. This is representative of all courses I took and not just accounting classes. I was very appreciative of the encouragement to speak your mind, but also to think critically. I graduated from SCU with the ability to pass all of my CPA exams on the first try and multiple full-time job offers. This school's relationship with corporations all around Silicon Valley offers extraordinary career opportunities for students of all majors. I agree with the general consensus that an education at SCU, regardless of which program you are in, is not cheap. Even today, I am thoroughly grateful that I received a partial scholarship from the school and also from the accounting department throughout the years. You can't put a price on education, but you also can't put a price on graduating without any student loans. The food in the dining commons was definitely above average, considering it was essentially a school cafeteria. Highlights of my meals include prime rib, filet mignon, sushi, late-night snacks, gourmet sandwiches and desserts. I lived in the dorms all 4 years - 2 years in San Filippo and 2 years in St. Clare. Dorm life was definitely enjoyable as I had 2 years to experience community life and having a roommate. The last 2 years, I had my own room and was able to focus on my studies independently. I cannot thank this institution enough for giving me this strong foundation in life. The person I have become today is partially attributable to my education and experience at SCU. The doors that have opened for me and potential opportunities in the future because of this degree have proven to be priceless.

Pros: - I received a great education. Isn't that the most important thing? Class sizes are small, the professors are excellent, and you get lots of attention. I never had a T.A. Teachers are available outside of class, and are eager to be helpful. - The campus is beautiful. Lots of places to socialize, also many outdoor areas to enjoy some peace and quiet. - The small student body makes it easy to meet people and make friends, though it's not as diverse as the advertisements suggest. Cons: - It's super expensive. Even with financial aid, you should consider your major to see if it's going to be worth it. - SCU's got clout, but it's restricted to the Bay Area. Outside Northern California, most people have not heard the name. - Campus life is important, but SCU is weak in that regard. After the initial rush of starting school fades, most students settle into a routine of hanging out in dorm rooms partying and getting drunk; that gets old fast. It can be hard to expand your social circle. If you want to volunteer in the community, many opportunities will clash with your schedule. It's just not a very well-rounded social experience compared to other Bay Area schools. - The surrounding suburban neighborhood doesn't embrace SCU, it holds the students at bay. (A huge mistake in my opinion.) Living in the dorms is like living in a zoo - students are meant to stay on campus and not wander around the 'hood. By my junior year, I lived off-campus in San Jose and spent my weekends in SF, Santa Cruz, or downtown SJ: SCU became just a commuter school. That's a lot of cons, but I still give it four stars. I got a great education, made good friends, and was well-prepared for the workplace. But by the end, I was really itching to leave.

As a recent Santa Clara University alum I am going to have a few biases, but I absolutely loved my time this school. With a small campus I was able to feel comfortable in the small class environment (ranging from 15-30 students per class) where I was able to interact on a personal level with almost all of my professors. Being part of the Leavey School of Business I graduated Santa Clara with an Accounting degree and a full time job offer in the upcoming year. If Santa Clara prepares you for anything, it would be for the work force. Starting my Freshman year I was encouraged to attend job fairs and to start networking immediately. Santa Clara's private education encourages students to go out of their comfort zone and nurtures them to be prepared for the challenges of life. Aside from prepping you from work the small campus allows you to be comfortable with the student body. I have forged countless friendships that I am sure will last my lifetime... and I was able to go out and have a good time on my spare time as well! Choose SCU if you are looking to get a job out of Undergrad, want a comfortable environment and are want to have a good time!

I graduated with a BS in Computer Science/Math from Santa Clara. Now I'm taking Teaching Credential Clearing classes. Honestly - part of the reason why I was hired at my current job is due to the fact that I graduated from SCU. This is how I'd rate my experiences at SCU: My undergrad classes: A My grad classes: C My extracurriculars (water polo team): A My social experience: A Overall: A (5 stars!) Kiddos and/or parents: if you're thinking about attending SCU, send me a message. I'd love to tell you more!!

So...I can't believe I am reviewing this University...considering that I am a SMC GAEL...it's almost painful. However, I can appreciate awesome technological beauty when I see it. SCU...I give I give...that library is an amazing creature. Not because of the architecture...but because of it's functionality, "green" spirit, and comfort. Wow...this place is B-A-N-A-N-A-S! 3 stories of new smell, Mac computers, flat screen dell computers, outdoor seating, a fun cafe, private study rooms, movable shelves, moving chairs that swivel, couches on the outdoor patio, and even heaters in the front for your cold prone people. Simply amazing. Makes me want to come and study. Whoa...did a Gael just say that...? Yup...she did. Oh yeah...the rose garden, mission church, and campus are also beautiful, but I am focusing on this beautiful library. Score 1 for SCU...but for now...

I just graduated from SCU in June and cannot express how much I love this school. The location is perfect, the campus is beautiful and the students are friendly. I got a bachelors degree from the Leavy School of Business in Marketing and had no problem finding a job out of college. They really prepare you for the real world. I love it so much I'm thinking of going there for my MBA if I choose to go that route! Go BRONCOS :)

"Do drugs. It is a cheaper habit, potentially a better experience and you will likely make better friends." ...Or at least that is what one of my brothers suggested when he saw that I applied to this school. It is expensive without the Stanford UC-Cal Brand, which as a now graduate can be frustrating. "Santa Clara University--how did you like living in LA?" (It's located in South-Bay San Francisco/San Jose area...FYI) Santa Clara University is really what you make of it. If you are considering coming here to booze it up and walk around in a toga every night of week--DO NOT come here. The police have nothing better to do then to crash Christian pizza parties. On that note: Santa Clara is supplemented with binge drinking, skinny dipping, trips to Santa Cruz, and an occasional Yeggermister encouraged fling in the mission rose gardens...so it is not all "lame"....Sorry Friday nigh Pepsi and Pizza consuming Christians. Santa Clara is a Jesuit school and even though spring is celebrated with nearly-naked-deliciousness...it still is Christian-Left that has ties to conservative money. Sigh. ------ If you are already attending classes there...make it a priority to go away for a quarter and or study abroad. ------ All in all just some random notes...I just never could buy 100-percent into the warm fuzzy feeling Santa Clara spends millions of dollars in selling. http://instruct.westvalley.edu/fisher/mission_gardens.jpg

I'm a Class of '95 SCU graduate (Anthropology) and have mixed feelings about the school. Would I even apply if I were a high school senior, knowing what I know now? Probably not. Sure, the class sizes are small, the campus pretty, but the entire school is like one big sorority/frat experience--if you are quirky or outside the preppy mainstream, you probably won't fit in very well. If you like that sort of thing, you'll adore SCU. I lived for 3 of my 4 years on campus at Casa Italiana, about the only good thing, besides certain of my professors, I found at SCU. Casa was great fun--Italian themed dorm life, single rooms, a chef of our own. Like living in a big house with 59 siblings. I had a terrible freshman year--a couple boys from my high school class also went to SCU and harassed and threatened me by phone several times and campus security pretty much ignored my complaints. Also had a terrible Chemistry professor (Dr. Rosenthal) and found the advisory services to be awful as well. Why did I stay? I don't know...stubbornness? Being a timid 18/19 year old? The professors besides Dr. R. were pretty cool, I liked the Anthro department profs, but I really wish I had transferred out to a school more focused on Anthropology as an Anthro degree from SCU doesn't mean much. Also, I had some family financial issues my senior year and SCU made a loan to me to cover the balance between student loans and my expected payment--I am to this day still paying it off and they will not release my diploma until it is paid in full--ridiculous. I've also had to argue with them and contact the former President of the University, Fr. Locatelli, to get them to release transcripts. Bottom line, if you are going to major in say, business or engineering, go to SCU. If you want to major in something else, look to other, bigger schools. It simply isn't worth the tens of thousands in debt you will be when you graduate.

Seems to me, you appreciate your Alma Mater so much more once you graduate and are gone. So much to be said about this school ; it's hard summing up 4 years here in 1 succinct review. For starters, the accounting department is great--if you ever get a chance, take an accounting class with Bill O'Brien, he teaches (or has taught at one point) a few of the required actg classes, along with electives (international actg, government & non for profit actg). Wendy Donohoe was also a great mentor. I know accounting majors seem to have such a stigma, and actually most business majors are competitive with each other, that's the nature of it. Very clean campus....there's jokes how the trash gets emptied constantly, even with hardly any new trash in it... and how the lawns constantly get mowed, and how a large portion of our tuition money goes towards planting more palm trees to lace the walkways and obsessively trimming the rose bushes to perfection... The library (new since a few years ago) is wonderful, if you get used to the burnt orange "modern" theme I suppose... the study rooms on all 4 floors are a lot of fun too. The library is a nice habitat or home for some...and people always brag/complain about living there during finals week when it's open 24hrs a day... Now if only the cafe (which proudly brews Starbucks) were open that late too. Please, I reccommend, don't spend real money on campus! If need be, deposit money in a "flex account" which let's you purchase food and beverages tax free. But obviously better yet, the dining point system. Through this system you can live off of lattes, salads, more lattes and iced coffees... And small snacks, so you don't have to worry about wasting a $10+ pasta dinner. No buffet style, thank god. If you want to suntan and study outside in the spring/almost summer months, go ahead, people do it, or they go to the pool to "study". Pretty nice. The teachers here really are great... You can tell they teach because they WANT to, and have already achieved their career goals (based on their real life working experience/ lessons shared in class) and to be honest, their stories are quite fascinating. Really great network if you're just friendly. There are a lot of stereotypes with this school, and quite frankly every school has that, and to an extent the stereotypes are true. However---there is so much more behind the stigma, it can't be written about, only experienced. And yelp isn't a place to share.

I'm an MBA student here at SCU, and there are some major awesome points about the school. Firstly, it is the only school (that I know of), that has a special MBA program designed for people with minimal work experience (i.e. 0-2 years). I definitely got rejected from all other business schools I applied to, so it was awesome that SCU gives us young'ns a chance to get an MBA education. Class sizes are decent, and I like the program size as well--everyone seems to know everyone else, and you definitely get a chance to get close and person with your professors. They also generally have enough classes that make it easy for you to get into the classes that you need to. Also, comparing the UC system which I did my undergrad in, to a private school, I can't lie when I say that it's awesome. We get free food all the time, the classrooms are a lot nicer, flatscreen tv's everywhere, etc. It's awesome. But again, I like being spoiled. Beautiful campus. So pretty, and a good size. Love love love the palm trees and flowers everywhere. Some negatives (or one)~ Although I'm very appreciative that I got into the program, and some professors are amazing, but I've had a few very very bad professors. This one professor I had wasted literally every single class talking about random stuff. Did not learn A THING. and his grading system sucked. He took points off arbitrary for no reason at all. Others just don't teach anything, dont' care about the class. And yes, you expect those kinds of professors anywhere, but I'm paying a LOT of money. I expect more care from the professors.

I had the chance to walk through Lucas Hall, the new home for the Leavey School of Business, and all I can say is wow. Gone are the cramped hallways of Kenna to three floors of spaciousness. While I must say that I am a little jealous of students that get to use the new facility, I do have to say that it makes me proud to be a Bronco. Also another 5 stars for the vision and leadership of the outgoing president of the university, Paul Locatelli, SJ to help in the modernizing of the campus and making Santa Clara one of the best schools on the west coast.