Pacific Admissions Group
How to transfer to Santa Clara University: requirements and deadlines
Requirements, deadlines, competitive majors and prerequisites for California community college students transferring to Santa Clara University.
45%
Transfer Accept Rate (est.)
3.3–3.5
Average Admit GPA by School
55%+
From CA Community Colleges (est.)
Apr 15
Fall Deadline (rolling)
Santa Clara transfer quick facts
Location
Santa Clara, Silicon Valley
Admit terms
Fall & Winter
No spring transfer admits
Minimum Units
None published
You must have enrolled full-time at an accredited college
Minimum GPA
None required
Average admit GPAs: 3.3 Arts & Sciences, 3.5 Business, 3.5 Engineering
Santa Clara transfer requirements
Academic Requirements
Santa Clara has accessible but competitive transfer admissions:
- No published unit minimum, but you must have enrolled full-time at an accredited college
- Average admit GPAs: 3.3 (Arts & Sciences), 3.5 (Leavey Business), 3.5 (Engineering)
- Accepts transfers for fall and winter quarters only (no spring)
- Strong academic performance in college coursework
- High school record also considered for students with fewer college units
Major Preparation
Complete prerequisites for your target program:
- Business (Leavey School) and Engineering are most competitive
- Silicon Valley location drives demand for tech and business programs
- Check with SCU admissions for major-specific prerequisites
- Completing more prerequisites strengthens your application
Common Application
SCU uses the Common Application:
- Fall: rolling admission from January 7 to April 15
- Winter: application deadline October 1
- Common App personal essay required
- SCU supplemental essay about Jesuit values and community
- Mid-Term Report highly recommended (not required)
- Official transcripts from all institutions
Jesuit & Silicon Valley Identity
SCU blends Jesuit education with Silicon Valley innovation:
- Values service, ethics, and social consciousness
- Strong emphasis on community - smaller than most universities (6,000 undergrads)
- Silicon Valley location provides unique internship and career opportunities
- Transfers get need-based aid only (no merit scholarships), so file the FAFSA by March 2
- Two entry terms (fall and winter) give you more flexibility than many schools
Competitive transfer majors at Santa Clara
Leavey School of Business
Finance
Competitive business program with Silicon Valley connections.
Low
Accept Rate
3.5 avg
Competitive GPA
School of Engineering
Computer Science & Engineering
Strong program leveraging proximity to tech companies.
Low
Accept Rate
3.5 avg
Competitive GPA
Leavey School of Business
Marketing
Popular business major with strong industry placement.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.5 avg
Competitive GPA
College of Arts & Sciences
Psychology
Popular liberal arts major with research opportunities.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.3 avg
Competitive GPA
College of Arts & Sciences
Communication
Growing program with Bay Area media connections.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.3 avg
Competitive GPA
College of Arts & Sciences
Biology
Pre-health pathway at a Jesuit institution.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.3 avg
Competitive GPA
Santa Clara transfer timeline
August 1
Common App Opens
Begin your SCU transfer application.
October 1
Winter Application Deadline
Deadline for winter quarter entry. Decisions come out in mid-November.
January 7 – April 15
Fall Rolling Admission
SCU reviews fall transfer applications on a rolling basis between these dates.
Rolling
Admission Decisions
Fall decisions come out February to mid-May. Apply early for best results.
How we help you get into Santa Clara
Jesuit Values Essay
SCU's Jesuit identity emphasizes service and ethics. We help you demonstrate genuine alignment in your supplemental essay.
Common App Strategy
Full guidance on the personal essay and SCU-specific supplements.
Business School Positioning
Leavey School of Business is competitive. We help you position for this program with strong prerequisites and essays.
Silicon Valley Narrative
Articulating how SCU's Silicon Valley location aligns with your goals strengthens your application significantly.
Multi-Term Flexibility
SCU accepts transfers in fall and winter. We help you time your application for the best strategic advantage.
Financial Aid Strategy
SCU transfers get need-based aid only, so filing the FAFSA on time matters. We help you navigate the financial aid process.
See how our transfer consulting works and our prices and packages, or read whether a consultant is worth it for you.
About the author
Manraj, Founder of Pacific Admissions Group
Manraj transferred from a California community college and was admitted to UC Berkeley Haas, UCLA Business Economics, USC Marshall and UC Irvine Merage. He enrolled at Haas. More about us
Official sources
Requirements and deadlines change every year. Confirm the details for your major on the official pages below. Last reviewed October 2026.
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- Santa Clara (this guide)