Getting Ready
There are more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the country. Although each college may have its own little twist to the admissions process, there are several basic components of the application that are reviewed by all college admission counselors. These are your transcripts, test scores, extracurricular activities, the essay, and your letters of recommendation, which should come from teachers or counselors who can write a positive and truthful letter about you.
What classes should I take?
A few years ago several colleges came together to answer the questions, "what class should I take in high school?" The result was the A-G requirements, these requirements are a good guide to follow to ensure you are taking classes most universities would like to see.
- English: 4 years required
- Math: 3 years required, 4 recommended
- Lab Science: 2 years required, 4 recommended
- Foreign Language: 2 years required; for most private schools, 3 years required, 4 recommended
- History /Social Science: 2 years required
- Visual or Performing Arts: 1 year required
- College Prep Electives: 1 year required
Keep in mind this is only a starting point. Most universities are looking for students who are taking a rigorous course load.
Tests to take
Additionally, you will need to take the College Board Exams. These exams include the SAT and ACT. We encourage you to take the PSAT to get ready for the SAT.
How to find the right school for you
- Two-year or four-year school?
- Christian or a non-religiously affiliated school?
- Location — how far are you willing to go from home?
- Urban, suburban, or rural campus?
- Larger or smaller enrollment?
- Nationally recognized or regionally known?
Once you know the type of school that will best meet your needs and interests, you can consider other factors to further narrow down the field. Some of the factors discussed below may not be important to you, while others may play a critical role in your decision. Remember... it's your call!
Below are some links to Santa Clara University resources. You should look for similar links at any University you are considering.
- Academic standards / integrity
- Career planning and placement
- Internships/ "real life" experience
- Accreditation - for particular areas of study, accreditation will show the strength of the program.
- Degrees & Majors
- Retention - how many students return after their freshman year.
- Diverse enrollment track record
- Student Body - facts and figuers
- Find out who is teaching the classes — is it faculty or graduate teaching assistants? (At SCU, faculty members teach all classes.)
- Academic advising and assistance — what is available?
- Organizations, clubs, and athletics
- Computer labs and equipment — SCU's new library
SCU Freshman Class Profile
To get a better idea of what Santa Clara looks for and the types of students we admit, see the statistics of the freshman class profile.
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