Why I committed to Santa Clara University (unexpected)

With May 1st turning the corner soon, I just wanted to talk about why I decided to commit to SCU instead of USF based off my experiences touring both campuses. I know this is a particularly stressful time for high school seniors (especially with the coronavirus messing up college preview days), so here's some words of advice from my experience.

[@christyschiller8931]

Hi MIcah: I loved this video. Great info on the comparison on schools you were also looking at. My son is literally doing apps to the same schools you also applied to. I think he is going to EA Santa Clara based on your video.

[@lululin3679]

This is super helpful! I am really stressing on which schools to pick and this has cleared up some questions I had! :D

[@pearly_pearl_]

This video is so helpful!! I'm actually currently applying to transfer to SCU and all of these factors you've laid out I've noticed for myself before. People really genuinely seem happy to be at Santa Clara which is maybe my biggest decision factor in where I transfer to. Thanks so much for the great vid!

[@micahdoctolero]

Good luck! And thanks for your comment :)

[@akashtatina5282]

@@micahdoctolero bro can u tell me the fee for ms in cs Santa Clara??

[@ginadouyon7937]

Very helpful! My son was admitted to many of the schools you mentioned, and was torn between USF, SCU and Pepperdine and LMU. He ultimately chose Santa Clara so he will be coming in the fall. Today he’ll be picking a dorm and we’re unclear as to which one he should choose as his top choice he will be doing the lead program and has also applied to the Honors but we haven’t heard back yet. Thanks for all your information.

[@HeartwarmingStories]

Thank you. I’m considering doing a masters there so this is helpful.

[@michellequinn6337]

Thank you. This video is really helpful. I’m deciding right now between SCU & USF. I agree that USF offers a lot in regards to merit scholarships, but I don’t want that to be the driving factor of my choice. I won’t live on campus so that part doesn’t matter. I am an older student, so I wonder how I’ll fit in. Your video expressed some real ideas that are going through my head, so I really appreciate this video...and I believe I feel more confident about choosing SCU. Thanks again, and I hope to see you on campus :)

[@micahdoctolero]

Thank you and good luck!

[@PaulBoldyrev]

great video man! i commited to scu about a week ago and am very excited (this vid definitely helped). looking forward to seeing you around on campus!

[@micahdoctolero]

dude, im so stoked for you! (not sure if you saw but ive made a couple other scu vlogs if you want to check them out)

[@nailseasysoftware9057]

Hi Micah, any chance my son can contact you regarding SCU? He just got admitted to school of engineering

[@micahdoctolero]

NAILSEASY SOFTWARE that’s awesome! if he has an Instagram, he can contact me (micah.doctolero) and we can maybe set up a zoom meeting

[@bryanscott2126]

Santa Clara is my dream school. Such a perfect university.

[@nicolecrescini3856]

Hi! I’m a rising senior and Santa Clara is my number 1! Thanks for the video! I toured Santa Clara last year and really liked it, is the pace of the academics what you were expecting when you enrolled? The only thing I’m nervous about is my tour guides told me because it’s on the quarter system it is very fast past, not that I can’t keep up😂, just that it’s very rigorous

[@micahdoctolero]

Hey thanks for you comment :) For me, I was also a bit nervous because you start school and 3 weeks later it’s midterm szn and 3 weeks later it’s midterm szn again and another 2-3 weeks later it’s finals. But what I’ve realized is that midterms are like a test you would have in high school and finals are just finals. I actually realized that I like the pace because everything seems more fresh in your brain when you’re on the quarter. Hope this helps!

[@nicolecrescini3856]

Micah Doctolero yes!! Thanks that helps so much!!

[@Patmckeown585]

My neighbor Nina graduated from Santa Clara University as a child studies she loved it there

[@mariaorozcoaraujo3951]

Hi, I just got in but I don't know if I'm getting merit aid. Is there a way I can ask them about it if I get some and it does not make the cost affordable? Thanks!!

[@micahdoctolero]

For sure.., after committing you can apply for more aid (I did and they increased my grant) but you should also contact the financial aid office (One-Stop or Bursars Office)

[@mariaorozcoaraujo3951]

Thank you for responding! I need to know though before I commit exactly how much it will end up being so should I ask my counselor? Also when did you get a notification about merit aid because I haven’t gotten one but decisions just came out so maybe the merit aid takes longer? Thanks

[@micahdoctolero]

You should be receiving your financial aid statement in the mail in the upcoming weeks and you’ll probably also get an email. Afterwards you can always contact admissions or the financial office about additional aid.

[@javiermartinez38]

@@micahdoctolero hey Micah, about contacting the financial office for additional aid, how and where exactly should we contact them? Also, is it possible they will give you additional aid after an appeal if you don’t technically “need” it based off your family’s EFC? I did receive quite a bit of merit aid, but not quite enough that we’re willing and able to pay it all. I am trying to find external scholarships myself, but it would be nice if I was able to increase my grant aid. What did you claim as the reason you should get more aid? Thanks!

[@micahdoctolero]

@@javiermartinez38 You can try emailing [e-mail]. And financial aid can be added even if you’re EFC doesn’t show additional need. I can’t quite recall what I listed but even if your EFC doesn’t show it, you can talk about how your family needs the additional aid to afford the tuition... anything from how a grandparent passed or how the pandemic changed something for your family.