Sowmya

Gabby Lucio ‘25, Marketing major, Digital Filmmaking Minor

Lucio transferred from a university in her hometown of Los Angeles to Santa Clara University after her freshman year of college. When asked about what drew her to SCU, she mentioned that Santa Clara was already a close second choice when she was choosing where to pursue her undergraduate education as a high school senior. While she initially wanted to stay close to home, she later realized that she wanted to branch out and move further away. Lucio had heard only positive things about Santa Clara from her friends and family and wanted to be part of a supportive community she could call home.

Her transition from one college to the other was surprisingly easy as she went from a Jesuit, private university to another Jesuit, private university. While the ideals of the schools were more or less the same, the transition from the semester system to the quarter system took some time to adjust to. Lucio found that although it took a quarter or two to adjust to the pace of classes, she likes that each quarter provides you with an opportunity to meet new people and build long-lasting relationships. Academically, the small class sizes allowed her to meet 1:1 with her professors and get extra help with tougher classes, and the Drahmann Center was very helpful with personalized tutoring. The Latinx Leadership Incubator was one of the first resources she took advantage of the summer before starting at SCU. At LLI, she met like-minded individuals who shared the same culture and interests while delving deeper into business.

So how do you make the most out of the two to three years you have here on our beautiful campus? Lucio says the best way is to get involved. Studying abroad is an experience students start planning for their freshman year of college, but Lucio took it upon herself to ensure that she got the same experience for herself. She was diligent and made sure to speak to her advisor, find the necessary classes, and completed a quarter in Barcelona, Spain. Moreover, she is on the Executive Board of the Photography Club and emphasizes that staying involved on campus has made her appreciate SCU more. Staying involved through clubs and organizations is important, but Lucio also believes that physically staying on campus has allowed her to soak it all in and meet new people. 

Last but not least, I asked Lucio what advice she had for students considering transferring to SCU. She understands that it can be scary as it is such a big decision, but she took a leap of faith as she found herself constantly thinking that SCU would be a better fit for her. While it can be difficult to build up the courage to step out of your comfort zone at first, prioritize making friends and getting involved at your own pace. After all, you are only here for so long!

Sami Shikhare ‘25, Management Information Systems major:

For Sami, the transition from her local community college to SCU was nothing but smooth. As one of the most social people I know, she found it easy to make friends in her classes and through organizations around campus. As our campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, she was drawn to the ample post-graduation opportunities that are just a stone’s throw away. She also mentioned that she wanted to go to a medium-sized school that was not too close but close enough to home that she could visit on the weekends. This made Santa Clara her top choice since her freshman year of high school! 

In terms of advice, she says getting an on-campus job is a great way to make money and come out of your shell. Sami got a job as a Desk Assistant at one of our residence halls and it has helped her meet people of different years on campus. She also said another way to make friends is to attend events. Whether it be alone or with her other friends, she finds that exploring campus has allowed her to find new things she enjoys. 

Another aspect of SCU that she loves is the unique class offerings, specifically the culture and religion courses. The university curriculum requires that students take two Cultures and Ideas courses along with three Religion courses throughout their time here. With dozens of options to choose from, students have access to unique classes like the Theology of Marriage and Bad Girls of the Bible, which for Sami and I, have been some of our favorite classes. 

Transitioning to a new school can be difficult but SCU provided Sami with numerous resources to aid her in the process. She made sure to contact the Career Center, and the housing office, set up meetings with her advisor, among other things to set herself up for success. While she did feel like the quarter system was more rigorous than the semester school she came from, professors were very accommodating and supportive of her transition. Another standout factor about SCU that’s hard to miss is the beauty of the campus. We have walked to class many times and admired the beautiful flowers and gorgeous church from a distance. 

The million-dollar question for many of you may be “How do I make the most of my time at SCU?”. Sami acknowledged that there is a lot of pressure to make your time in college the best couple years of your life, but it is important to be thoughtful when it comes to your approaches. The three key factors to a good college experience highlighted by her are academic, social life, and personal wellness. Many students tend to push the latter aside but it is vital to a positive experience. With the right balance and game plan for the remainder of your college years, Santa Clara can be the perfect stepping stone into the real world!