Stories

Admitted students from the Class of 2026 get their chance to learn about life at SCU from the people who know it best—current students. “Student Hot Seat” will be streamed on Bronco Exchange on Monday, Feb. 7. 

There’s a lot about the college search process that can look the same for high school students. Each institution has a dining hall, a library, a gym to work out, and a variety of degrees to choose from in their major.  

Most schools even have that one iconic spot on campus where everyone gets their picture taken on a visit.

But what’s it really like to go to college? How do students and faculty treat each other? Those are the kinds of insights Griffin Langsdorf ’22 hopes to provide during “Student Hot Seat” on Feb. 7. 

The event, which will be hosted via Zoom on the University’s online meeting portal Bronco Exchange, gives admitted students a chance to ask questions—any question—to three current students at Santa Clara.  

When Langsdorf was in high school, he hadn’t seriously considered Santa Clara. His father made him apply and it wasn’t until he met the friends of an older high school classmate that he realized what the school was all about. The students at Santa Clara weren’t the typical cocky college crowd he expected. 

“To my surprise, they were extremely welcoming,” the computer science and engineering major says. “They asked questions, they got to know me, and most importantly, they cared about me.”

While Bronco Exchange hosts informational events several times a month on topics like undergraduate research opportunities and on-campus housing, “Student Hot Seat” is unique because it’s completely driven by the admitted students in attendance. If they want to ask about the food in Benson or the best professor a student has had at Santa Clara, that’s fine. If they want to talk about more serious topics like mental health and the pandemic, that’s OK too. 

Co-host Alexa Esposito ’24, who is studying visual arts and business at Santa Clara, thinks it’s important for each student to think carefully and pick a college that’s right for them, one that will support them through the stress and uncertainty that often comes with college life. That’s why the student hosts try to be as open and honest as possible in Bronco Exchange events.

“College, in general, is going to be hard no matter how far or close you are from home,“ says Esposito, who is originally from Connecticut. “Pick a school that will listen to your needs and (will) do as much as possible to help you as an individual to be successful.”

Admitted students interested in attending “Student Hot Seat” should register through the Bronco Exchange portal before the Monday event starts at 5 p.m. While online, admitted students are encouraged to check out other events scheduled for this month. More events will be added in the coming weeks.