My College Essays #8 (SCU)

Santa Clara University

Deadline: November 1

Required (2):

Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. Based on what you know about SCU and our Jesuit mission to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion, how do you envision your life at SCU and beyond? (Maximum 200 words)

I was initially drawn to the blend of innovation, leadership, and Jesuit education at Santa Clara University (SCU). After visiting campus, I knew I wanted to attend SCU. To me, the Jesuit mission at SCU enhances education, making it more about a person as a whole rather than simply their education. I do not only want to focus on my future career at SCU, but also my life mission and what I will bring to the world. Being passionate about social and environmental issues, I would like my university experience at SCU to address real world issues.

I can see myself at Santa Clara University being a leader and involving myself in extracurriculars I am passionate about. Whether I choose to join the Birdwatching Club on campus or spark political change through Santa Clara Sunrise, there is no doubt that I will be able to find meaningful ways to contribute to campus life. After graduating from Santa Clara University, I hope to serve my community and find solutions to the global issues which I care so deeply about. I feel that an education from Santa Clara University would equip me with the tools to be a positive addition to humankind.

At SCU, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. Think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge? (150-300 words)

Climate change: it is an issue for me, my community, and the entire planet. Living in an area surrounded by mountains, rivers, and wildlife, environmental issues have invaded my mind for as long as I can remember. Finding an outlet for my eco-related passions has been a challenge and I am often frustrated with not being a larger part of the solution. In high school, I struggled to find the right setting where I could be creative, feel challenged, and be a catalyst for change.

I am willing to devote my career to helping the planet because it is that much of a concern to me. At Santa Clara University (SCU), education can help me prepare for and address environmental challenges because SCU will not only teach me valuable skills but encourage me to create my own solutions which address the challenge of climate change and human impact. The Center for Sustainability is something that I have been searching for and will empower my efforts as I work to create a more environmentally friendly world.

With the Silicon Valley so close in location, innovation for a healthier planet will be at my fingertips. I will be able to think critically, take risks, and take charge in and out of the classrooms at Santa Clara. The Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences will provide me with the intellectual foundation I can use to my advantage in addressing the climate issues of my generation. SCU’s Jesuit education will further my potential in the environmental sector as it encourages students to view education holistically.

While the environmental issues of our planet may not be able to be solved by one person, I am convinced an education from Santa Clara University will enable me to spark change and make the planet a better place.