Leavey Ambassadors Program Blogs

If you were to ask me in my senior year of high school if I was going to go to Santa Clara University, I wouldn’t have believed you. Granted, I did not think a school was going to accept me. Looking back, I am not sure why I put so much pressure on myself and thought I wouldn’t get into college, but in the midst of college acceptances, I still had to make a decision that would dictate where I was going to be for the next four years.

Choosing a college feels both exciting and overwhelming. There are so many factors to think about: location, class sizes, opportunities, community, and whether or not you can actually picture yourself there. For me, that decision came down to a few schools, including USC and the University of San Francisco. But in the end, I chose Santa Clara University, and looking back, I truly feel like I made the right choice.

What I love about SCU is the location. Santa Clara is in such an amazing area, especially because it is so close to Silicon Valley. Being near so many companies, events, and opportunities has opened doors for me that I might not have had somewhere else. Because of Santa Clara’s location, I have been able to attend conventions and events that connect directly to my interests and future goals. 

The student body and the sizes of the classes stood out to me as well. As much as I do like colleges with bigger student bodies, when choosing a college for me I did not want to feel like just another student sitting in a huge lecture hall where no one knew my name. At Santa Clara, my professors know who I am. They care about me, my goals, and the path I am trying to create for myself. That has made such a difference in my college experience. It is easier to ask questions, build relationships, and feel confident knowing that the people teaching you actually want to see you succeed.

The support at SCU feels genuine. If you do not show up to class, professors notice. They email you, check in, and ask if you are okay. That may seem like a small thing, but it says a lot about the kind of community Santa Clara has. People here are understanding and care about more than just grades or attendance. They care about you as a person. It is an environment where you can fall and always have a support system you can fall back on. There is a saying at Santa Clara: Broncos help Broncos. I have really felt that during my time here. The people at SCU want to support one another. Whether it is classmates, professors, alumni, or staff, there is a sense that people are rooting for you. They will not lead you astray. Instead, they help guide you, encourage you, and remind you that you are not alone. That kind of community is something I do not take for granted.

When I think back to my decision, I realize that I was not just choosing a school, I was choosing the place where I felt like I could challenge myself and like I fit in. Having the opportunity to brag about getting into the top schools or a UC college is nice. However, if you can’t imagine being at home and happy in your college, why spend the next 4 plus years regretting your decision, and still having bragging rights about the college name. College shapes who you will become and the people you surround yourself with, especially in college, will dictate who you will be in the next 20 years. I chose Santa Clara University because it felt like home. I chose it because of the people, the professors, the opportunities, and the sense of care that exists throughout campus. I wanted a school where I would not get lost in the crowd. I wanted a place where people knew my name, believed in my future, and helped me find my way.

And that is exactly what I found at SCU.

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