How to Apply to Mathematics at Santa Clara University: A B.S. in Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Choosing the College When You Apply and Declaring Math or Staying Undeclared, With Five Emphases, and Admission and Prerequisites for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Santa Clara University (SCU) is a Jesuit university in California’s Silicon Valley. Mathematics is taught by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the degree is the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. The department says it offers two undergraduate majors, mathematics and computer science. Computer science, economics and engineering are not covered here beyond a note where they overlap with mathematics. This guide follows SCU’s own pages for fall 2027 entry, with sections for U.S. students, international students, students from China and transfer students.

1. Programs and how admission works

• Degree and emphases (bulletin and department site): the B.S. in Mathematics, with no emphasis required or one of Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Financial Mathematics, Mathematical Economics or Mathematics Education (only one allowed; decide by the end of junior year). The department says the major can be pursued toward graduate study in pure or applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, operations research and other fields, toward secondary school teaching, or toward a research career in business, industry or government; the Mathematics Education emphasis prepares for a single subject teaching credential. There is a mathematics minor. The department lists only mathematics and computer science as undergraduate majors; statistics is not listed separately.
• College: first-year applicants first choose a school or college (Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business or School of Engineering) and then may declare a major or remain undeclared. Mathematics is in Arts and Sciences. SCU adds that for natural science, business and engineering applicants “readiness at the level of calculus is expected”, and that selectivity between schools and programs “does not vary greatly”.
• You can apply as a math major or undeclared: the first-year page says you can declare a major or stay undeclared. After entry, declaring or changing a major, minor or emphasis uses the Registrar’s Program Petition form; the bulletin says a change of major within a school needs the approval of the relevant department chair.
• Conditions to declare: the department page states a declaration condition only for computer science (at least two required courses with a C or above); it states no grade requirement, cap or timing for mathematics. This is not published there, so ask the department (chair Tamsen McGinley; department manager Donna Young, 408-554-4525).
• Five-year B.S./M.S.: the department says it cooperates with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering on a five-year combined B.S. and M.S. for computer science or mathematics majors; the conditions are not published on the pages we read.
• Talent program: the bulletin describes a department program for the discovery, encouragement and development of talent, with special sections, seminars, individual conferences and directed study, and encourages students to join faculty research.
• Outcomes: the department’s “Life after SCU” page lists only career and graduate-school resources (MAA, AWM, AMS and others); no placement data is printed.

2. Prerequisites and course sequence

• High school courses (first-year page): mathematics 3 years required, 4 recommended; English 4 years; history and social science 3 years; laboratory science 2 years required, 3 recommended; language other than English 2 years required, 3 recommended, 4 preferred. SCU does not say that math majors must have taken calculus.
• Major requirements (bulletin; quarter system, most math courses are 4 units):
  • CSCI 10 (or demonstrated equivalent programming proficiency);
  • MATH 11, 12, 13, 14 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry I to IV), MATH 23 (Series and Differential Equations), MATH 51 (Discrete Mathematics), MATH 52 (Introduction to Abstract Algebra) and MATH 53 (Linear Algebra);
  • PHYS 31 and 32 (future secondary teachers may substitute PHYS 11 and 12 with the chair’s approval);
  • seven approved 5-unit upper-division mathematics courses (CSCI 162 is also allowed), including at least one in analysis (MATH 102, 105 or 153), one in algebra (MATH 103 or 111), and one in geometry (MATH 101, 113 or 174), discrete mathematics (MATH 176 or 177) or applied mathematics (MATH 122, 125, 141, 144, 146, 155 or 166); MATH 100 and courses numbered 190 and above do not count;
  • at least four of the required upper-division courses must be taken at Santa Clara.
• Graduate-school advice (bulletin): for graduate study in pure mathematics take MATH 105, 111, 112, 113, 153 and 154; for applied mathematics, complete the Applied Mathematics emphasis and take MATH 105, 144, 153, 154 and 155.
• Emphasis add-ons: Applied Mathematics adds MATH 102, 122, 123 and more; Data Science adds MATH 122, 123 and CSCI 10, 60, 61, 62, 183 and more; Financial Mathematics adds MATH 102, 122, 123, 125 plus business, accounting and finance courses; Mathematical Economics adds MATH 102, 122, 123, 146, 147 and ECON 113; Mathematics Education adds MATH 101, 102, 122, 123 and more, and the bulletin strongly advises the Urban Education minor. Data Science cannot be the emphasis for both the math and computer science majors.
• Where you start in calculus (bulletin course descriptions): the prerequisite for MATH 11 is a passing grade in MATH 9, 9S or 9B (precalculus courses), or 76 or higher on the Calculus Readiness Exam, or a 3 on AP Calculus AB, or a 4 on AP Precalculus; the descriptions recommend MATH 9 for Calculus Readiness Exam scores of 65 to 75, MATH 9S for 40 to 54, and MATH 9A and 9B below 40. We did not read details of how the Calculus Readiness Exam is given; ask the department or the Registrar.
• AP and IB credit (bulletin “Academic Credit Evaluation”): AP Calculus AB 4 or 5 earns 8 quarter units (MATH 11 plus elective credit); AP Calculus BC 3 earns 4 units (MATH 11) and 4 or 5 earns 12 units (MATH 11 and 12 plus elective credit); AP Statistics 4 or 5 earns 4 units (MATH 8 for Arts and Sciences and Engineering); AP Precalculus 4 or 5 maps to MATH 9. IB Higher Level: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches 6 or 7 earns 8 units (MATH 11 and 12); Applications and Interpretation 6 or 7 earns 8 units (MATH 8 and 11). Courses waived always satisfy the relevant major requirements of the department; some decisions are made individually by the department with the Registrar. No credit for CLEP or IB Standard Level, and you cannot take a course you already hold test credit for.
• Honors track: the department pages we read do not describe an honors mathematics sequence, and the university-wide honors program was not read for this guide; a math-specific honors entry is not published there.
• Math competitions: the application pages do not say how competition results are viewed; this is not published there. The department site reports that a 2026 math major placed in the top 500 of 4,329 students in the 86th Putnam Competition, and its George W. Evans II Memorial Prize goes to top Putnam performers.

3. Rounds, deadlines and materials

• First-year deadlines page (no entry year is printed; the test-optional page refers to the 2027 term, so confirm): Early Decision I (binding) 1 November, decisions late December, deposit 7 January; Early Action (non-binding) 1 November, decisions late December, deposit 1 May; Early Decision II 7 January, decisions mid-February, deposit 1 March; Regular Decision 7 January, decisions late March, deposit 1 May. There is also a Winter first-year application (1 October, decisions mid-November), not covered here. The optional supplemental essay is due 6 November for the early rounds and 12 January for the later rounds.
• Common App. The application fee is $75, non-refundable, with Common App, NACAC or College Board fee waivers accepted.
• Materials: high school transcript (grade nine to the latest term), one academic teacher evaluation or counselor recommendation (SCU does not say it must be from a math teacher), the Secondary School Report, and for Regular Decision (or deferred Early Action) a mid-year report by the end of January; an optional supplemental essay of 150 to 300 words about an issue you care about and how an SCU education could help you address it.
• Test optional: SAT/ACT are not required and not submitting is “no disadvantage”; scores can be self-reported in the application status portal, and you answer on the Common App supplement whether you want them considered; SCU superscores. SCU lists transcript, course rigor, unweighted GPA, activities, the Common App essay, supplemental questions and demonstrated interest as important pieces. The policy for fall 2028 and later is still under review.
• Interviews: SCU offers no in-person interviews on or off campus; international applicants may add an optional InitialView or Vericant video interview (see the international section).

4. U.S. students

• Costs (2026-27, financial aid page): tuition $64,956; Student Engagement & Well-Being Fee $780; on-campus housing and food $20,094; on-campus direct costs total $85,830. With books, transportation, personal expenses and loan fees, the page estimates a total on-campus cost of attendance of $92,556. The cost page we read lists a single tuition with no in-state or out-of-state difference.
• Scholarships: the test-optional page says all students are reviewed for merit scholarships whether or not they submit scores, and that about the top 15% of applicants receive merit scholarships through a holistic review. The department also has mathematics-specific awards (see section 7).
• Applying for aid: FAFSA (school code 001326) and CSS Profile (code 4851). Deadlines: Early Action and Early Decision I 15 November; Early Decision II 15 January; Regular Decision 1 February; California residents also have a Cal Grant GPA verification form due 2 March.
• Any in-state admission preference or guarantee is not published on the pages we read.

5. International students

• Application materials (international requirements page): Common App, high school transcripts (grade nine to the latest term; non-English documents with English translations), one academic teacher evaluation, the Secondary School Report, a mid-year report (Regular Decision or deferred Early Action only), the $75 fee, proof of English proficiency and the SCU Financial Resource Statement; SAT/ACT are optional. Transcripts should be uploaded electronically by the school counselor or administrator through a secure system (the page lists Naviance, SCOIR, Parchment, BridgeU, Cialfo and others); schools unable to do so mail them sealed in the school’s original envelope with an official seal. Do not email transcripts.
• English proficiency: demonstrate it by four years at a school where English was the sole language of instruction, or by one current score: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 90 (before 21 January 2026) or 4.5 on the new scale (after that date); Duolingo 120; SAT EBRW 630; or ACT Reading 27 and English 27. Scores are valid two years; MyBest is not used; TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and TOEFL Essentials are not accepted.
• Proof of funds: after you submit the Common App you complete the International Student Financial Resource Form showing that you or your family can cover the total cost of the first year, and upload supporting documents.
• Aid: funding for international students is limited; federal and state aid is for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, and undergraduate international students “may qualify for a scholarship”. Private loans are possible with a creditworthy U.S. co-borrower, or from a lender that does not require one. Whether any math-specific scholarship is open to international students is not published.
• Video interviews: optional InitialView or Vericant; deadlines are 23 November (Early Action and Early Decision I), 15 January (Early Decision II) and 16 February (Regular Decision).
• International admission contact: ugradintl@scu.edu; SCU also has an official WeChat account.

6. Applicants from China

• The international pages we read have no China-specific section and do not say whether the Gaokao is considered; this is not published there, so ask international admission (ugradintl@scu.edu). The international page points applicants to SCU’s official WeChat account for admission policies, news and events.
• The pages say: official high school transcripts from grade nine to the latest term, with English translations if not in English; English requirements as above; an optional InitialView or Vericant interview.
• How huikao or other school-level exams are handled is not published, and no credential-evaluation agency is named for first-year applicants (international transfer students need WES; see section 8).

7. Costs and department resources

• Costs are in section 4; the detailed 2026-27 tuition and fee schedule is on the University Finance Office page, which we did not read in full.
• Department awards (awards and honor society page): the Robert P. Balles SCU Mathematics Scholars Award, at least $1,000 a year, for the math major entering senior year with the highest cumulative GPA in math courses; the George W. Evans II Memorial Prize for top Putnam Competition performers; the Evans prize for mathematical writing and research; the Distinguished Student Award; the First-Year Mathematics Prize (Abe P. Hillman Prize), decided by a competitive examination each spring; and the DaRin Butz Fellowship, for two women in computer science or mathematics, chosen by professors on academic performance and involvement.
• Undergraduate research: the bulletin encourages students to join faculty research projects, and the department’s “Student Research” page lists articles co-authored by students and faculty. The site also lists a Mathematics Learning Center, student and professional organizations, internships, the Halmos Professorship and a colloquium series; we did not read the details of these pages.

8. Transfer students

• School and reference GPA (transfer page; recommended courses are recommended, not required): College of Arts and Sciences B.S. majors (including mathematics): two English composition courses; two college-level mathematics courses for B.S. majors (one for B.A. majors); one natural science course with a lab; GPA 3.3. SCU says decisions depend on space and the competitiveness of the pool, and you indicate school and major on the application. The department pages set no separate threshold for transferring into mathematics (such as a calculus or linear algebra sequence); this is not published there.
• Deadlines: fall transfer rolling admission 7 January to 15 April, decisions February to mid-May, deposit 15 June, FAFSA 2 March; winter transfer 1 October, decisions mid-November. 1 February is the deadline for Hurtado Scholarship consideration and for DACA, undocumented, Deferred Enforced Departure or Temporary Protected Status applicants. The fee is $75 (applicants currently or most recently at a community college receive a waiver within the Common App).
• Materials: official transcripts from all colleges, the final high school transcript showing graduation date, optional SAT/ACT for applicants with fewer than 30 semester (45 quarter) units; SCU does not require the Secondary School Report or College Report; a mid-term report is not required but highly recommended; international applicants add the Financial Resource Form and must meet the English minimum.
• International transfers: coursework from foreign universities needs a WES course-by-course evaluation; SCU accepts only WES, and no credit is considered without it.
• Credit (bulletin): at most half of the quarter units required for the degree can be transferred in; semester units are multiplied by 1.5; courses must be similar to those in the SCU bulletin; a C or better is required and pass/no pass is not accepted; trade or technical courses do not transfer; credit needs approval from the Registrar and the chair of the department offering the equivalent course. After enrolling, transfer credit is limited to 10 units and two courses. California community college courses are generally transferable if designated transferable to the University of California; SCU has transfer agreements with 70 California community colleges.
• Aid: transfer students must file the FAFSA and CSS Profile at the time of application.

Checklist

U.S. students:

• Apply by 1 November (Early Action or Early Decision I) or 7 January (Regular Decision or Early Decision II); $75 fee; transcript and one teacher or counselor recommendation
• Choose the College of Arts and Sciences and declare math or stay undeclared; after entry, use the Program Petition; place into calculus by Calculus Readiness Exam or AP score

International students (including China):

• Same deadlines; high school transcripts with English translations, uploaded by the school; meet the English requirement; file the Financial Resource Form
• InitialView or Vericant interview optional; ask international admission whether the Gaokao is used

Transfer students:

• Fall rolling 7 January to 15 April, winter 1 October; Arts and Sciences reference GPA 3.3 and two college math courses
• At most half the degree units transfer; foreign university work needs a WES evaluation; no published math-specific entry threshold

Sources: Santa Clara University, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science; Department academic program; Awards and honor society; Life after SCU; College of Arts and Sciences majors and minors; Bulletin: Mathematics and Computer Science; Bulletin: change of major and school; Bulletin: academic credit evaluation (AP/IB/transfer); First-year admission; First-year deadlines; Test-optional policy; International students; International application requirements; English proficiency; Transfer admission; Transfer deadlines; Cost of attendance; Aid for international students; Aid for first-year and transfer students. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures); check Santa Clara University for the latest details.