🍦 Today's Scoops: What Even is Greek Life? (Sep 21)

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: Santa Clara University (SCU)

2. Admissions Blueprint: Tying ECs Into Your Essays

3. Social Scoop: What Even is Greek Life?

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Santa Clara University (SCU)

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Santa Clara, CA
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 20,963
📊 Acceptance Rate: 52.1%
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1390/31
💸 Cost: $57,534
📅 Admission Options: November 1 (ED I/EA), January 7 (ED II/RD)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Accounting/Finance (#32), Public Health (#34), Economics (#55) (Niche)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Finance (12%), Communication (9%), Psychology (8%) (US News)

Pros:

⚙️ Ties to Silicon Valley – SCU has direct connections to some of the biggest tech companies in the world. Students benefit from internships, networking, and job opportunities with giants like Google, Apple, and Tesla. Explore SCU’s Silicon Valley connections.

🌍 Emphasis on Ethics and Social Justice – As a Jesuit institution, Santa Clara puts a strong focus on ethics, sustainability, and social justice, preparing students to be thoughtful leaders. Learn more about SCU’s Jesuit mission.

🔬 Cutting-Edge Research Opportunities – SCU may be a smaller school, but it offers substantial opportunities for undergraduates to engage in hands-on research, particularly in areas like AI, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship. Check out SCU’s research programs.

💼 Strong Entrepreneurship Program – Santa Clara has a thriving entrepreneurship culture, with programs like the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offering mentorship, startup incubators, and pitch competitions.

💻 High Job Placement Rate – SCU graduates are highly sought after by top employers, especially in the tech industry. The university boasts an impressive job placement rate with many students securing offers even before graduation. Read about SCU’s career outcomes.

🕊️ Small Class Sizes and Close-Knit Community – With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, SCU students enjoy small class sizes, personal relationships with professors, and a supportive academic environment. Learn more about student life at SCU.

Cons:

📚 Limited Graduate Program Presence – While SCU offers a wide range of undergraduate programs, it has a relatively smaller graduate program presence compared to other universities in the region. This can limit networking opportunities with grad students and professors who are more research-focused. Check SCU’s grad program offerings.

💸 High Tuition Costs – SCU’s private school status means higher tuition costs, and while financial aid is available, it may not fully cover the cost of attendance for some students. Explore SCU’s financial aid options.

🚗 Parking Challenges – With its location in the bustling Bay Area, parking on campus can be a hassle, and many students have to rely on public transportation or park off-campus. Get more details on SCU parking.

🔄 Quarter System Intensity – SCU follows a quarter system, which can feel fast-paced and overwhelming for students who are used to semesters. Midterms and finals seem to come around quicker, leaving little time for breathing room. Check out SCU’s academic calendar.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
Tying ECs Into Your Essays

Your extracurriculars (ECs) can be a powerful tool in your college essays, but knowing how and when to include them is key. Here’s how to use them effectively without turning your essay into a simple recap of your activities list:

🌟 Highlight Impact, Not Just Participation – Colleges don’t want to see a laundry list of everything you’ve ever done. Instead, focus on the activities where you’ve truly made an impact. Did you lead a project, organize an event, or overcome a challenge? Zero in on those moments and explain what you accomplished or learned, rather than just stating that you were involved.

🧠 Connect to Your Personal Growth – Your extracurriculars are most valuable when they demonstrate personal growth. Reflect on how they’ve shaped you as a person. Did volunteering teach you empathy? Did a leadership role change how you view teamwork? Tie your experiences to personal development rather than just listing tasks or titles.

📚 Relate to the Theme of Your Essay – Make sure your ECs serve the central theme of your essay. If your essay is about resilience, share an extracurricular where you faced and overcame obstacles, rather than trying to shoehorn in every activity. Your story should be cohesive, with your extracurriculars reinforcing the main message.

🚫 Avoid Restating Your Activities List – Admissions officers already have your activities list, so your essay shouldn’t just repeat the same information. Instead of saying “I was president of the debate club,” dive deeper into why that role mattered to you, what you took away from the experience, and how it shaped your future goals. Think of your essay as a window into the depth of your involvement, not just a checklist.

🎯 Tie ECs to Your Future Goals – If an EC aligns with your future academic or career interests, highlight it! For example, if you want to study environmental science, your work with a local sustainability project can show your genuine interest in the field. Just make sure to avoid overemphasizing unrelated activities that don’t connect to your future goals or the essay’s theme.

🔍 Keep the Focus on You – While it’s tempting to talk about the club or organization itself, always bring the focus back to you. What did you do? What skills or insights did you gain? It’s fine to mention the organization, but make sure it serves to highlight your personal contributions and growth, not overshadow them.

SOCIAL SCOOP
What Even is Greek Life?

When you hear “Greek Life,” you might imagine frat parties, oversized letters on college campuses, or scenes straight out of Animal House. But beyond the stereotypes, Greek life—meaning fraternities and sororities—offers more than meets the eye. So, should high school students care about it when applying to colleges? Let’s break it down.

What is Greek Life?
Greek life refers to the social organizations that students can join in college, typically divided into fraternities (for men) and sororities (for women). These groups are named after Greek letters, which is why it’s called “Greek” life. But more than the letters, these organizations often offer lifelong friendships, academic support, leadership opportunities, and yes, social events. Each chapter is unique and may have its own culture, values, and community service initiatives.

The Different Types of Fraternities & Sororities
Greek life isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s a quick guide to the different types:

🎉Social Fraternities/Sororities 
These are probably what you’ve heard the most about. Social frats/sororities focus on community building, campus involvement, and creating lifelong friendships. They also often engage in community service and philanthropy.

💼Business Fraternities 
These organizations focus on professional development. Members often get exclusive access to industry events, company visits, and mentorship from alumni in various business fields. It’s a great option if you’re a go-getter looking to build a career in business.

🤝Service Fraternities 
Service-based fraternities and sororities, such as Alpha Phi Omega, are dedicated to community service and philanthropy. If giving back is a big part of who you are, these groups may be the perfect fit.

🌍Cultural and Multicultural Fraternities/Sororities 
Some Greek organizations are specifically founded on celebrating different cultural heritages. These groups offer a tight-knit community focused on shared values and identity while promoting diversity and inclusion on campus.

📚Honor Societies 
Although not typically considered part of Greek life, honor societies like Phi Beta Kappa are prestigious organizations that recognize academic excellence. They don’t have the social aspect of traditional frats, but they look fantastic on a resume!

Should Greek Life Be on Your Radar?

Greek life might not be at the top of your list when choosing a college, but it’s something worth considering. If you’re someone who values networking, community, and leadership opportunities, joining a fraternity or sorority can open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

However, it’s important to remember that Greek life isn’t for everyone. Some schools have more prominent Greek systems than others, so if it’s something you think you’ll want to be involved in, make sure to look into the specifics of each college’s Greek community during your application process.

In the end, Greek life is just one of many factors to weigh when deciding which college is the best fit for you. Whether you’re looking to join a business frat, engage in community service, or simply make friends and connections, it’s all about finding where you’ll thrive the most!

Should Greek life influence your college decision? That’s up to you. But knowing the options, benefits, and culture can help you make a more informed choice about your college journey!

LINK LOUNGE
Yesterday’s Resources & Scholarships

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we will be updating the Link Lounge section with links to great resources such as scholarships and tools during the college application process. You’ll find it at the top of your email on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and near the bottom during the rest of the week.

Coca-Cola Scholars - $20,000 college scholarship for high school seniors

Robertson Scholars Program - Full-ride scholarship to Duke or UNC, if you get into either school

Kolly - AI-powered platform for standout college applications

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Coke Scholars Deadline Coming Up!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

Coke Scholars Round 1 Deadline: September 30
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
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