Current Scripps Student

Colleges and Universities A-Z Scripps College
21

<p>Hey everyone! I'm new to this site, but I just got accepted to Scripps ED, and I have a couple questions...</p>

<p>This one is kind of random, but I heard that a lot of people get around via bikes at Claremont. Is that true? and do you think I should bring one next year? </p>

<p>I also heard that Scripps is strongly democratic and left wing, which is fine, but will I be heckled and shunned if I'm a republican? That sounds rather extreme, but when I went to Scripps for an interview the young lady working in the admissions office didn't give a very optomistic answer to the same question. I figured she might just be one extreme person, and brushed it off as that.</p>

<p>Thanks! =)</p>

22

<p>I don't have a bike and I get around fine. A lot of people have scooters and bikes, but it is not necessary at all. The campuses are small enough that the most walking you have to do is ten minutes - to the end of Pomona. I am also a republican and it isn't a problem, although most liberal arts schools are left-wing so there will be a lot of democrats around. However, they do accept all people there. I just try not to talk about politics too much in general anyway.</p>

<p>Hope that helps!</p>

23

<ul>
<li><p>I've never had a bike, but I've wanted one at times (when I wanted to register for a class on south Pomona that started ten minutes after the end of a class on Pitzer)! I wouldn't worry about bringing one right away. See how your schedule is (first semester, all your classes will probably be on Scripps anyway), see what your extracurriculars are like (you might have something that invovles far away rehearsals late at night), and so forth. No strong feelings either way on the bike thing. They can be nice, but aren't imperative.</p></li>
<li><p>How much you get heckled for politics really depends on you. I know some republicans who are very politically involved, very vocal, and really enjoy all the debate. I know others who feel judged, stifled, and think that some events and classes are biased toward the left. I came into Scripps from a very conservative high school, am glad to have gained a wider perspective, and am taking some time to be apathetic until I can get out of any particularly politically charged environment. The liberal atmosphere of Claremont was a shock for me. I got used to it, but did so largely by being smart about what I said, when, and to whom. If you can be respectful and open-minded towards the views of others, whether or not they match yours, and if you can be smart about what you say, then you will be totally fine. If you're very outspoken on politics and not a big fan of tolerating other viewpoints, then prepare to stand up for yourself and put up with some flak.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>There is a Claremont Republicans group. I suggest trying to get in touch with a representative and asking her about her experience.</p>

<p>(And like MissLovelyRita said, bear in mind that it's a LAC in southern California. The liberal atmosphere is farther reaching than Scripps alone, and will not necessarily be escaped at other similar institutions.)</p>

24

<p>hey-
i'm new to cc and was wondering about admissions. a friend of mine has already gotten into scripps early but i'm am applying regular (it's my second choice but i may lean towards it if i get in..??). i was wondering if you guys could give me some insight on my chances:</p>

<p>skipped two grades
ACT: 32
GPA 3.94 UW
AP's: Bio, chem, CA III, CA IV, gov, psych, calc. AB
EC:
-ACADECA- honors (1st in speech, second in interview, first in superquiz, third place as a team in state)
-math tutoring for state assessment test for esl and disabled students
-over 300 hours of medical lab work and hospital volunteering
-NHS
-Diversity council- secretary
-Freshman mentor
-tutor Arabic every sunday for 4 hrs. ( i'm fluent)
-Honorable mention in State Physics scholarship test
-FBLA- definitely gonna win or place second in state in business law (my friend might beat me...)
.....AND some other things i can't really remember at the moment...</p>

<p>Possible major:</p>

<p>Pre med- double major in English writing and Biochem.</p>

25

<p>also...before, we were talking about interviews...let's say that we are not going to have an interview...how much is that going to hurt my chances...</p>

<p>oh and i wanted to ask...</p>

<p>-do most people double major at scripps? ( is it recommended)
-and are people really able to juggle work and school?
-and as a recommendation, which AP tests do you think would be the most beneficial to take so we can try to get out that class at Scripps ( i understand that there is a possibility that i'd want to take the class instead of just getting the credit through AP)
-so is Scripps a laid back atmosphere and is there a lot of competition between the girls?
-what about the relationship with the professors? is it more of an independent learning env. where i can find assistance or more of hands on learning where i'm always going to be challenging the ideas presented ?</p>

<p>sorry about the rant. thx.</p>

26

<ul>
<li><p>Most of my knowledge about Scripps' admission stats is 4 years old at this point, but you certainly look like a great applicant to any school.</p></li>
<li><p>Major/minoring, double majoring, and dual majoring are all fairly common. Most people dual rather than double b/c we do have an undergraduate thesis requirement. Double majors write two theses, dual majors write one integrated thesis. However, not all pre-med students are science majors (pre-med is a "track," not a major, but many pre-med track students end up being bio or chem majors b/c they already have so many requirements out of the way). You could be a pre-med student and an English (or biochem) major and only write one thesis. This is normal.</p></li>
<li><p>"Are people really able to juggle work and school?" I'm not sure what you're asking. Do you mean homework or a job? If the former, certainly. If the latter, it depends what kind of job you mean. I only know 1-2 students who work full-time off-campus and they don't recommend it (but I think that goes for most students at most schools).</p></li>
<li><p>AP tests will not get you out of classes at Scripps. You can waive your math GE through a placement exam (orientation week) and you can waive your foreign language requirement (or place into the middle of the 3-semester sequence) through SAT2s or a placement exam (also orientation week). You can't get out of writing, period. Double check that AP scores can't get you out of math or language, but I'm pretty sure. AP tests DO get you elective credits, meaning that if you have 4, you enter as a second semester freshman and get priority registration. It also means that you can take 3 classes/semester for as many semesters as you have elective credits and still graduate on time (3 classes/sem. = full time student, 4 classes/sem. = necessary to graduate on time). Being pre-med, this probably isn't too realistic, but the priority registration is a great thing. College courses usually count, as well.</p></li>
<li><p>Very laid back. It's SoCal. There are competitive students, but only in the sense of being driven toward our/their personal bests. When it comes to each other, students are very willing to form study groups, share notes, edit for one another, and so forth. I've never heard of a class with grade caps or anything (i.e. a capped number of A's), so there's no need to drag one another down (although I like to think we'd help each other out, regardless). If there's competition between anyone, it's between the various colleges, but it's generally lighthearted.</p></li>
<li><p>Again, not totally sure what distinction you're asking about. Professors at all the Claremont schools have required office hours (and they generally say "these are my 2 required ones, but I'm pretty much in my office anytime, so just stop by"). I've gone out to lunch with classes, gone over to numerous professors houses with classes or for department parties, developed relationships with professors whose research interests match my own, and so forth. Professors are available beyond words, and on the whole, they are entirely worth visiting and getting to know :-) Classes are very often small and discussion based, so there is plenty of hands-on opportunity to challenge the ideas presented. Obviously the experience will really vary class to class, department to department, but this has been my experience.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Feel free to ask anything else you have in mind. Good luck!</p>

27

<p>Interesting that you got the impression Scrippsies were snobbier than Pomona girls- once a part of the 5Cs the stereotype is that Pomona students are much more full of themselves- Im sad you got such a bad impression. My recommendation is that you spend time hanging out at the Motley to truly see Scripps women in their natural environment versus a quick tour- also remember that since the campuses all share resources etc not all the students you see on Scripps are Scrippsies- because it is so beautiful students from all the other campuses gravitate to Scripps to lounge in the gardens etc</p>

28

<p>student_615</p>

<p>you sound like an amazing Scripps Woman! In reading your postings I am so proud to have you as a sister. I graduated in '03 and I must say you are doing an amazing job of representing us! I will be guiding a tour in April of Southern California schools (I'm guiding 10 inner city high school kids and OF COURSE Scripps is on the map!) I wonder- would you be able to meet with us? I am scheduled to be there on April 4th (a Wednesday, as I miss my tea!) let me know</p>

29

<p>(Scrippsie03: I PM'd you!)</p>

30

<p>I'm bringing this thread back up for all those who are trying to make a decision about whether or not to attend Scripps.</p>

31

<p>Couple questions:</p>

<p>Most importantly, how good is the International Relations program at Scripps?</p>

<p>And secondly, how well do the 5 colleges get along with each other? I've heard there are stereotypes about each - what are they?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

32

<p>Re: International Relations
No idea. Sorry. My guess is pretty awesome, especially given the proximity of CMC and Pomona, who I imagine to have particularly strong IR programs. I don't know anything about the program, really, but I do know that we have very strong related programs (i.e. politics), so I assume that IR is respectable. It might help if you specify what makes a program "good" in your eyes (for some, it's internationally well-known faculty, and for others, it's small, discussion based classes).</p>

<p>Re: 5Cs Getting Along
Overall, and person-to-person, we get along very, very well. The stereotypes you mention are indeed present--some rooted in reality, others not--and I think that most students here rely on them for generalizing, but totally forget about them when it comes down to actual socializing. I've always thought of the situation as being kind of like sibling relationships: I'll make fun of my little sister mercilessly, but if anyone else says a thing about her, there's just NO having it, and despite the occasional bickering, we're close friends. People aren't always as considerate as they should be, so there are occasional tense moments, but in my experience, they're pretty few and far between. If you read enough about Claremont on these boards, you'll eventually run across what I'm talking about, and in general, it stems from school pride, school rankings, and school stereotypes (which is why I'm not going to bother listing them here...you can find them elsewhere on the board, as well). Read around if you want samples, but bear in mind that it's not totally reflective of actual campus climate. Your best bet for answering this question, if you have the time and chance, would be to spend a night on campus and ask current students.</p>

33

<p>I have sooo many friends at CMC and Harvey Mudd, and I am at Scripps. Honestly, you will make friends at the other schools if you put yourself out there - go to the events, take classes off campus, talk to people in the dining halls, etc. You don't run into Pomona kids as much, but since I take a class there, I see them around. :)</p>

34

<p>Carpe_diem: You might want to clarify your question. When you ask about the 5Cs getting along, do you mean how much interaction is there, how cooperative is everything, or do you literally mean "how do they get along" like "how do they interact"? Okay, those were two really poor characterizations on my part. Basically, MissLovelyRita and I answered two different questions and if you meant to ask the one that she answered, then I second her response...tons of interaction, and it's easy :)</p>

35

<p>Thank you both... both answers addressed what I was trying to find out. I love the little sister analogy - it makes sense.</p>

<p>In regards to International Relations, a good program to me consists of small discussion classes (which I believe Scripps has) and the ability to get jobs or into grad school after college. So, I guess the question is, how favorably do employers and grad schools view someone with an IR degree from Scripps?</p>

36

<p>To add to carpe_diem's question: how favorably do employers and grad schools view a student with a degree from Scripps?</p>

37

<p>I've spent four years here wondering the same thing, so all I can really say is that I HOPE it's very well :)</p>

<p>Really, though, judging from the in-progress list of "Senior Plans" (various acceptances that seniors are receiving...you can see the list in the glass case between CP&R and the Motley in Seal Court), we do pretty well. The ivies (Harvard, Columbia), flagship publics (Berkeley, UCLA), major international universities (Oxford), other well-respected privates and publics (USC), fellowships and volunteer programs (PeaceCorps, Teach for America, Watson, Fulbright)...they're all up there. The stuff in parenthesis is just what I happen to remember off the top of my head. </p>

<p>I got an acceptance letter from a respectable graduate program with a handwritten note saying "Wow! Scripps _____ major...you'll thrive here!" And between that and my actual plans for the next few years (which strangely enough, actually wouldn't have been available to me at most bigger-name schools), I feel like we have to be looked well upon. I'm absolutely positive that I'm fairing as well as or better than I would have had I attended another, more widely-known school (which is what my college choice ultimately came down to).</p>

<p>For the record, I'm not making claims as to whether or not Scripps' job/grad placement is better than other schools'. All that I have is anecdotal. What I'm trying to say is simply that (1) the fit of Scripps was right for me. It gave me the desire to pursue some things I NEVER would have imagined pursuing, and easy access to the resources necessary for doing so; and (2) once I decided what I wanted to pursue and how I was going to do it, the Scripps degree certainly never stood in my way, and for me personally, it actually opened doors (I can PM you with details if you'd like).</p>

38

<p>I'm a high school senior and I'm deciding between Pitzer and Scripps. I've done pretty well in high school, having gone to a prestigious all-girls school on the East Coast. I'm interested in social sciences, minority studies (I'm black), and the arts. Anyways, I have a few questions.</p>

<p>Are the stereotypes that Pitzer and Scripps have deserved? E.g. I love Pitzer, but I don't drink or do drugs, so would that be a problem for me?
Is there a lot of positive interaction between those two schools specifically?
How strong are the social science programs at those schools?
How is interaction among students of different backgrounds (racial/ethnic/economic/religious etc.) at those schools?
Annnnnd why did you end up choosing Scripps?</p>

39

<p>"Are there stereotypes that Pitzer and Scripps have deserved?"</p>

<p>You might want to specify what stereotypes you've heard about Scripps. My guess is no, not really, but I hardly even know what they are.</p>

<p>There is interaction between the two schools, but it's really up to you and where you choose to spend your time and get involved. Most of Scripps' interaction tends to be with Mudd and CMC because they both have strong social scenes, we share their sports facilities and teams, and Mudd in particular has a number of resources/events open only to Mudd and Scripps students. But I know plenty of people whose close friends are on Pitzer, or who do a lot of activism through Pitzer...like I said, it's really up to you and where you want to spend your time. I imagine the same basically applies in reverse, though I think that Scripps tends to have a higher amount of off-campus participation in general (co-ed motivation and all that).</p>

<p>Pitzer is known for its social sciences. With cross-enrollment, the same classes will be available to you regardless. I don't know too many details, but I am taking a Pitzer sociology class this semester and it's pretty much the best thing I've ever done in my life :)</p>

<p>I chose Scripps for a number of reasons...small school that didn't limit my interests/options, single-sex atmosphere without the isolation (I also came from an all-girls high school, and I loved it), loved the consortium, convenient distance from home (NorCal), beautiful campus, beautiful dorms, good food, had amazing touring experiences every single time...felt right.</p>

<p>Have you visited both schools? Spent the night at either? Honestly, you're in a win-win situation, but the environments are still very different.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Scripps is a more sub-free environment. I don't drink or do drugs and I've been happy. I know sub-free Pitzer students who have been fine, as well. Part of the issue is not what you do or don't do, because you'll never be pressured into doing anything against your will. Part of the issue is just your tolerance. You don't smoke, but how do you feel if your roommate does, or the guy down the hall? If your tolerance is lower, I'd give Scripps a leg up, but would still say that you could be very happy in either environment.</p></li>
<li><p>How do you feel about general ed requirements? Scripps has lots. Pitzer's are incredibly flexible and open-ended. If you want to experiment on your own, then Pitzer will be great for that. If you want a little more structure, then perhaps Scripps.</p></li>
<li><p>Pitzer is known for being incredibly diverse and incredibly well-integrated. This isn't to say that Scripps isn't also a welcoming environment, but Pitzer really prides itself on this, and rightfully.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Good luck, and congrats on having excellent choices :)</p>

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<p>Can someone explain the GPA system? What does a 9.0 and 10.o GPA work out to on a 4.0 scale?</p>