Honestly, if it weren't for the amazing friends that I have found here, I don't believe I would love Santa Clara as much as I do now. The people I've met and grown close to, I KNOW will be a part of my life for many years to come. I've visited my friends who go to UC's, and I've met the people who are a part of their lives there --and while they're nice and good and fun people --they just weren't a group who I felt could have given MEANING to my life, like my friends here have. I'm so thankful to be surrounded by so many wonderful personalities, whose likes I truly do not believe I could have found outside SCU.

God, the weather is so BEAUTIFUL! And the classes and professors are magnificent. Oh and by the way, if you want an excellent job right out of college, keep in mind that many companies prefer a Santa Clara student to a Stanford student. Don't believe me? Check it out. Santa Clara alumni are ALL OVER the place, giving us all connections into jobs you never thought possible. It's amazing, the wonders that this school will do for you on your resume!

I love Santa Clara University! And I recommend it to everyone!

First weekend of school we have the club fair. That's how everyone gets connected right away. Sporting events are always fun ways to spend an evening. Ruff Riders, our student booster club, is the largest club on campus (over 2,500 students!!) Most people find their friends freshman year and just expand on that core in later years. I met a ton of people by volunteering for the event council in my residence hall and interning with Campus Ministry. We always have some art event going on...ballet, opera, jazz concert, play, guest speaker (Jane Goodall came this past year)... Greek life is off campus and not affiliated with SCU...but it is there to take advantage of if you're interested. Frat parties are usually not closed, so even if you're not in the Greek system, you can go.

I'm not really good with the whole people side of things so anything I write would probably be misleading.

The great thing about Santa Clara is that the students are the most important thing. Professors are here to teach and help students learn and grow, not just pad their resumes. They really care about each student's wellbeing both academicly and personally. When you speak here, people truly listen to you.

I'm not really good with the whole people side of things so anything I write would probably be misleading.

Every professor has been here for me in office hours, or before and after class, to help me with any questions, or any help I may need. I have never been so overwhelmed by how much everyone here wants to help you be successful in their classes. One of my favorite classes so far was my Literature and Democracy class. It was upper-division and pretty difficult, but class discussions were absolutely stimulating. My classes have never had a student count over 40, and in this particular class, there were no more than 12 or 15. Students can be competitive, but mostly only if they are taking law courses. The education here is all for the student. Each student who graduates Santa Clara University comes out with knowledge of the world and themselves, ready to tackle life, jobs, internships, etc. Our career center makes a point of getting the job searching started as freshmen.

I love Santa Clara University! And I recommend it to everyone!

Absolutely not. While there is a large percentage of white students, when you come onto the campus, you do not feel as though that is the case, because our students mingle with all races, ethnicities and religions.

Absolutely not! A large part of the students are on scholarships or financial aid of some form. There is a wide racial background at SCU, and everyone is welcoming to those who differ from them. There are a lot of Catholic activities on campus because it is a Jesuit school. However, there are people at this school from all religious backgrounds and they are welcomed by everyone. I am a Christian myself, but I am not Catholic and no one has ever judged me for it.

There are several organizations in school. I am involved in the Santa Clara Review, which is the Santa Clara University literary magazine. We take submissions from students (and the entire country - occasionally, we even get an international submission!) and create a booklet from them of ones that we think students will enjoy the most. I participated in the literary magazine at my high school and loved it, so I figured I would continue in college. Of course, SCU's is much more sophisticated and organized. There are several leader positions available, I am hoping to be a poetry editor next year! It is impossible to walk around a floor of Loyola (my RLC) without seeing an open door! Students are always welcoming to others walking in and hanging out. The athletic events are fairly popular too. I am going to a game next weekend! I'm very excited about it. Although we do not have a football team, there is definitely still school spirit. We had a great guest speaker this year - Kip Fulbeck. I went to go see him speak and was amazed. Through the classics department, I also saw a lecture done on Gilgamesh which was very interesting. There are many lectures always going on. I swear it feels like every weekend there is a theater or music event! For Valentines, the A Cappella groups were available for hire to sing to any one! And this weekend I saw the Opera - Marriage of Figaro - show put on by students. Next weekend, I will be attending the orchestra concert! There are several options for theatrical activities. The fraternities and sororities are not recognized by the school, but there are definitely fraternities and sororities. You do not need to be in one or the other to have a social life. In fact, most people are not in them. If you are interested in them, they are there (that is sort of the general view on campus).

Almost every student I have encountered has been able to keep any socio-economic or racial opinions to themselves. I have yet to witness any racial issues on the campus. I believe the type of student that might feel out of place in Santa Clara is one who does not like being included. Each Residential Learning Community promotes involvement. My RLC, for example, has huge socials and other fun BBQ events in which we all bond and eat together. The other week, we watched Animal House on a big screen out in the quad. It was so much fun! We have 1980s dance parties in the basement and other events like that. Students here at SCU are very much politically, socially, and ethically aware. We have large rallies or open-mic nights for issues happening in the world. Many of the kids here are well-off, but you can also find students from different financial backgrounds. Money doesn't really seem to be a factor in many of the students that I have talked to so far.