How to Write the Santa Clara University Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2026/2027

Last Updated on 08/03/2026 by Ethan Sawyer

Highly influenced by the school’s Jesuit history and globally-focused core curriculum, the Santa Clara University supplemental essay prompts ask applicants to consider how ethics and morals can be applied in a secular educational setting. Although the school is by no means dominated by religion, its guiding principles stem from values like charity, compassion, warmth, and connection. Below you’ll find our tips for how to write the Santa Clara University supplementals, as well as some example essays to give you a sense of what you can do to stand out in your application.

Want to get an even better sense of what Santa Clara is looking for? You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set. For deep insights into how this private liberal arts college envisions student success (and how it wants to grow and evolve), read through its most recent self-study report-a simple way to get a strong idea of what Santa Clara values.

How to Write Santa Clara Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

(Important note: This is tucked into the Academic Section of Santa Clara’s Common App page.)

Why are you interested in pursuing the [Division or Major] selected above? (50 words).

This essay prompt pops up once you select from drop downs in the Academic tab in the Common App.

This is a standard (but very short) “Why Major” prompt. For a larger guide to the “Why Major” essay, click here. Below is a condensed version.

One possible approach:

Think of this as a quick origin story.

Step #1: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet-point outline.

Step #2: Put your moments (aka the “scenes” of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it’ll help you see how your interests developed. It also makes it easier to write transitions.

Step #3: You’ll likely want to include a specific thesis that explicitly states your central argument-in this case, what you want to study and why. This thesis can come at the beginning, middle, or end of your essay.

With 50 words, you’ll probably only have space for 2-3 sentences. Or 1 longer one.

And last, a quick tip: Be sure this essay is consistent with your personal statement if you’ve mentioned aspects of your major/career there.

Here’s an 89 word example written for a 100 word prompt (so you’ll have about half this space), to point you in the direction to head.

Example Essay:

My decision to major in Electrical Engineering was inspired by my desire to improve security through technology. When I lived in Mexico, my father’s restaurant security system lacked the ability to protect our property from robbers, who would break in multiple times a year. Thanks to the influence of my cousin, who now studies Autonomous Systems, I developed an interest in electrical engineering. I am inspired to not only improve my father’s security system, but contributing to security innovations for larger companies and perhaps, one day, national security. (89 words)

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays?
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Special thanks to Julia for contributing to this post.

Julia published her first “book” on the elusive Pika in elementary school and has been writing fervently ever since. She’s thrilled to unite her quirky love of grammar and master’s in psychology to help students tell their most meaningful stories. Her favorite punctuation mark is the apostrophe because, in the words of Imagine Dragons, it’s “a symbol to remind you that there’s more to see.”

Top values: Collaboration | Family | Productivity