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What it takes to get into Santa Clara University

The numbers admitted students had, and the parts of an application Santa Clara Universityreports it weighs. Both come from the college’s own reporting.

Acceptance rate

48.0%

Admitted GPA

~3.72

unweighted, 4.0 scale

SAT middle 50%

1350–1490

median 1410

ACT middle 50%

31–33

median 32

Testing

optional

34% submitted an SAT

Top 10% of class

35%

of admitted students

Reported by the college

What Santa Clara University weighs

Requirements tell you what to submit. This tells you what happens to it once you do, which is the more useful of the two and the part almost nobody looks up.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Grades
    • Course rigor
    • Essay
    • Extracurriculars
    • Talent or ability
    • Character and personal qualities
    • Volunteer work
    • Work experience

  • Important

    Weighed, though below the factors above.

    • Class rank
    • Recommendations
    • Demonstrated interest

  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • Test scores
    • First-generation status
    • Legacy
    • State residency
    • Where you live
    • Religious affiliation

  • Not considered

    Reported as playing no part in the decision.

    • Interview

From Santa Clara University’s Common Data Set, 2024, section C7, where colleges report how heavily they weigh each part of an application.

Where you stand

Run your own numbers

These are the numbers admitted students had. The next question is where yours land inside them, and what to do about the gap.

Your chances at Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University essay prompts (1)

Common questions

Santa Clara University requirements, answered

What matters most for Santa Clara University admissions?

Santa Clara University reports that it treats grades, course rigor, essay, extracurriculars as very important. Those are where the work pays off, and the college is the source, not a guess.

What does Santa Clara University not consider?

Santa Clara University reports that interview play no part in its decision. This is worth knowing because effort spent on any of them does not count here, whatever it does elsewhere.

What GPA do you need to get into Santa Clara University?

Admitted students average around a 3.72 (unweighted, 4.0 scale), and 35% were in the top 10% of their high school class. There is no minimum, and grades are read alongside course rigor.

Does Santa Clara University require the SAT or ACT?

No, Santa Clara University is test-optional. About 34% of the enrolled class submitted an SAT, so applying without one is common here.

What Spike does with this

Build toward what Santa Clara University actually reads.

Spike takes the factors a college weighs and works them into your courses, testing, essays, and activities over time.