Current Scripps Student

<p>On another thread, a student at another women's college heard that "Scrippsies" were "artsy and girlie" ... a quote from a Pomona guy. I would love to hear what you think Scripp's women are all about. A Wellesley women described Ws as "intelligent and confident"</p>

<p>That's a good question. I went to a college visit with the "5 sisters" The 5 east coast womens colleges, and I asked each representative to describe their school with one word. It was fun, and I wish I could remember what they answered!</p>

<p>I think intelligent and confident are good descriptors for most of the students who attend prestigious womens colleges like Scripps and Wellesley. "Girly" is not a word I would use to describe the members of 2012 I've gotten to know so far, and to many it might even be offensive. So typical that a guy would say that... I wish I could give you an answer, but I can't find words to generalize the diverse population at Scripps! Wellesley, however, is known for churning out CEO's, while the arts are becoming increasingly popular at Scripps, and the humanities have always been strong. It seems to fit with the descriptions. </p>

<p>I guess the words I would use for the group of girls I met are: Intelligent and Confident definitely! Social, artistic, multi-talented, genuine, driven</p>

<p>I would definitely agree with Eternal Icicle! I think many of the girls I've met would not like be generalized as a "girly" student body. I already admire every girl I've met and talked to in the class of 2012 and the upperclassmen. Each one has worked hard, accomplished great things, and has big dreams. Scrippsies are truly unique and amazing women.</p>

<p>From the students I've met and talked to so far, I wouldn't say "girly"... It's been a good mix. "Girly" is a very vague term, in my opinion.</p>

<p>But from who I've met, everyone seems capable and intelligent, and with big aspirations. Some current students I've talked to describe that Scrippsies are the type that want to accomplish everything, and I think that is pretty true. So yeah I agree with Eternal Icicle and rosiebee :)</p>

<p>THX all. Off to our interview in a few weeks ... D is excited</p>

<p>Back from interviews and though D enjoyed she is still not sure she will fit in. The interviewer stressed her incredible experience of finding her voice at Scripps. My daughter, after one year abroad and eventually three at boarding school, thinks she has become quite confident and may not need the special support Scripps offers ... though very valuable for many women. Is she correct in her impressions?</p>

<p>Glad your D enjoyed the visit and interview :)</p>

<p>"Special support"? I never really saw it that way. The environment is supportive insofar as the school is tiny (read: easily navigable) and has an accessible faculty/staff and friendly student body. If you need help with something, it's pretty easy to find the right office, speak directly with a staff member, and figure out what you need to do. If you need or want special support, you should be able to get it relatively easily, but I didn't feel deliberately hand-held or coddled.</p>

<p>Sometimes, I do think that Scripps (insert the women's college and/or LAC of your choice) overplays the "nurturing" angle. Such schools can be great options for students who feel overwhelmed by larger or more cutthroat environments, but that's not to say that other students will feel bored or stifled. </p>

<p>If your daughter feels that she needs a more dramatic change of scene than Scripps/Claremont will offer her, that could be a reasonable concern. The schools are small and residential...maybe boarding school has given her a "been there, done that" feeling and she's looking for a little more action. But if she's worried about being unnecessarily coddled, or about being surrounded by timid/less confident classmates, she probably doesn't need to be concerned. If she's able to get back to campus, I'd encourage her to sit in on a class and/or spend a night...help get a better feel for the environment and the student body.</p>

<p>Best of luck during the rest of the process!</p>

<p>Perfect ... thank you! You addressed all of her concerns. She loves the Claremonts and eager to get back to CA. It really comes down to where she gets accepted and then she should look closely at her options.</p>

<p>I'm going down in a couple of weeks for a diversity weekend; any advice on what to expect in interviewing, etc.?</p>

<p>I'm not too familiar with diversity weekend, but as far as interviews go you should expect to talk about what you did over the summer, what kinds of classes you enjoy, what your plans are for the next year, and why you're visiting Scripps. If you've already had a college interview, you should be fine, but if you haven't I would recommend either practicing or preparing a few notes with questions you may have about the school or things you wouldn't want to forget if you freeze up.</p>

<p>Hey! I'm trying to decide whether or not Scripps is my first choice for next year. I have a question and would be greatly appreciative of anyone that can help me out!</p>

<p>I've heard about Scripps having strict dorm rules and quiet hours (and something about an escort rule?) and was wondering if anyone could elaborate on this? Thanks!</p>

<p>I never found the dorm rules especially strict (there's no curfew, no-boys-allowed policy, or anything like that), but I can easily see how others could disagree. </p>

<ul>
<li><p>There are quiet hours, which just mean that if you're being really loud after a certain time of night (or before a certain time of morning), the RA can ask you (or your hallmates can ask the RA to ask you...) to quiet down. I forget what time quiet hours go in to effect, but they're not all that restrictive. They're not about being silent...just about being respectful. </p></li>
<li><p>There is a student-enforced escort policy, which means that non-Scripps guests must be accompanied by their Scripps hosts at all times. The upside to this policy is that there are no sketchy people wandering the hallways and, relative to the other campuses, we have very few issues re: dorm theft and unwanted intruders. The downside is that yes, you have to meet your off-campus friends at the door, walk them to the bathroom, etc. To clarify, this policy applies to all non-Scripps students, though it's often mistaken for applying only to guys (a non-Scripps female is less likely to attract attention).</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I might have been more bothered by these policies if I'd been a transfer student from a different type of dorm atmosphere, but as it was, I basically appreciated them. The escort policy isn't that big of a pain to enforce, and on the whole, I thought it had more benefits than drawbacks. It's been under discussion in recent years anyway, and as I mentioned, it was originally instituted by students, not administration. As for quiet hours, the dorms stay fairly quiet all the time, so I didn't really notice them.</p>

<p>The dorms are beautiful and people are both social and friendly, but for better or for worse, Scripps definitely doesn't have an open-door, party-in-the-hallway dorm culture like some schools do. I did know some people who really missed that (one girl did a housing exchange to HMC for just that reason), but to each her own. </p>

<p>Visit and spend the night to see if it works for you :)</p>

<p>thanks so much! i'll try to think of more questions!</p>

<p>I'm a transfer student out of NYU and am absolutely in love with the Claremont Colleges. CMC is my #1, but Scripps comes in as a close second. I love the academic curriculum, intimate setting, and gorgeous campus (absolutely hands down the prettiest one in the nation)--all things I couldn't find at NYU.</p>

<p>HOWEVER, I still have some major hesitations about Scripps mostly regarding the social scene. I'm a very sociable girl and love being around people. I'm not a big drinker but I love to go to parties and I do drink on occasion. I'm afraid that the social scene might suffer from the all girls element. </p>

<p>My question is, are Scripps girls introverted? Do they like to go out to CMC and the other colleges?
Also, is it hard to meet guys? What is the dating scene like? any information you guys have would be so so helpful :)</p>

<p>Dreamer121- I'm a freshman at Scripps, and have been really enjoying my time here :) There's a mix of extraverted and introverted students at Scripps just like there is at any other college. I've found the student body to be very extroverted and lively and just plain wonderful as a whole, though. I definitely would not fret about being an extrovert surrounded by introverts.
The all girls element of the campus hurts the social scene on Scripps' campus (so, basically, not many parties at Scripps, though there were two pretty big ones this past semester), but it's extremely common for people to branch out and go to parties or other events on the other campuses. My friends and I do it all the time, as do most people I know.<br>
As far as meeting guys is concerned, it really depends on the person. If you're a very social person then it's not a big problem. It's more difficult than at a co-ed school I think, but I think that has to do with the fact that you're not living in the same dorms. I've found that I've formed the closest bonds with the friends in my dorm. More introverted people find it harder, but I think the same could be said at a co-ed college.
I hope that helps at least a little bit :) and that other lovely Scripps students weigh in.</p>

<p>thanks! that's really helpful :) the social scene at NYU is so beyond crappy that I'm just looking for a school with an amazing social atmosphere. </p>

<p>one more question, sorry if i'm being annoying haha. Does Scripps have a lot of cliques? My worst fear is that I'll end up going and will feel isolated without the vibrant social scene :/ thoughts?</p>

<p>Also, are the girls sort of weird and off beat? Obviously you can't categorize all of them into one group, but I mean what is the general feel of on the student body?</p>

<p>I don't think Scripps has cliques. I mean, everyone finds their little cluster of friends, but it's not exclusive. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming :) I don't think anyone would really feel isolated at Scripps unless they chose the isolation. I'm personally not a very outgoing person, so I was worried about that, but it was so easy to feel at ease with Scripps women. The students are probably one of my favorite things about Scripps :) I don't know how well that answers your question...
Hmmm...weird and off beat...I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that. There's a little bit of everything at Scripps. I think that the student body is a bit quirky (but in a really good way), very intelligent, social, and extremely nice. Now, of course, not everyone I've met fits this description, but as a whole, I fell that can describe the student body.</p>

<p>dreamer121, </p>

<p>For your first few questions, I'd agree with rosiebee and say that there is a good mix of students and you are sure to find friendly people who will want to go out to the other colleges with you and etc. and others who like to stay on campus and hang out with people in the dorms. I think admissions can slightly make the meeting guys part a bit easier than it seems, and agree with rosiebee that it depends on the person and I also think it just depends on the situation; if you have a lot of off-campus courses it will probably be easier to meet guys, and if you are an outgoing person who likes to go to the parties, it will be easier. If you stay on the Scripps campus most of the time and are in something like a women and gender studies major, it'd probably be more difficult.</p>

<p>As far as cliques go, I think Scripps students, especially freshmen from what I've been noticing, tend to find a group of friends and form a very close-knit group with them; but I don't find it isolating or exclusive. It's just simply a close group of friends that you hang out with the most, which could be said at any other college. The type of girl who attends Scripps, I agree with rosiebee again and say that you'll find all sorts of people; I mean, if you try and fit people into high school stereotypes, you're eventually going to pinpoint people into those groups but it's not something that necessarily dominates their personality. I think you'll find off-beat people, activists, students who like to go out, others who study all the time, athletic people, artistic people, etc. etc. etc. But I don't think there's an overlapping category except that most of the students and friends I've met have been friendly, aware of current events, intelligent, and care about their education.</p>

<p>Hope this helps! Just thought I'd put in my two cents :)</p>

<p>Can any current Scripps students or graduates give an honest assessment of how going to a women's college has helped them? Or is Scripps a good college simply because of the small size and personal attention? I understand there are men in many of the classes anyway who've cross-registered from other Claremont colleges. </p>

<p>Do Scripps professors coddle their students? Are the classes full of shrinking violets and strident feminists? Is it a rude awakening when you get out into the work world with men? </p>

<p>I'm particularly interested in hearing from students who've been working for a while, rather than those in grad. school, which is still a somewhat protected environment with rules and referrees. My student is interest in a science major and career.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>On another thread, there was discussion of how easy it is to transfer between the consortium schools. Some one made the point that it was VERY easy to transfer from Scripps to CMC? Regardless if this is a good idea or not, can anyone confirm that it is indeed very easy or not?</p>