<p>yum! so for classes…do you think it would too much if i took core, writing, french, theater, and statistics first semester, and then core, french, astronomy, and psychology second semester?</p>
<p>Steinygrrl-
I would probably take four classes first semester, then five second semester. I’m taking five classes plus a PE this semester, and it’s definitely manageable, but it’s kind of nice to only have four classes the first semester. And don’t get tooo attached to the classes you want to take, because you might come across scheduling conflicts (ew!) and have to change things around.</p>
<p>steinygrrl, I think you could try it out the first week and see how it goes. Theater I think can take a bit of time compared to a regular academic class and French depending on the level is most days of the week, just FYI. So with that schedule you will be busy for sure. I agree with rosiebee that maybe doing 4 first semester, then 5 second semester would be better because you should really try and just relax the first semester and get acclimated to college, have a social life, etc. But it’s up to you! :)</p>
<p>Also, something you might not have thought of, you might want to look at the syllabi of the courses you’re thinking of taking before scheduling, if you can, and after you’ve been admitted to the class. Last semester I had two courses which had a paper due every week (very rare occurrence) and that totally screwed me over. If you think you are taking classes that together might be too much work do not be afraid to switch classes.</p>
<p>Also, I suggest taking at least one non-gen ed requirement class every semester. I know a lot of people will not agree with me, but I think it’s important, especially during your first year when you have more of a chance to try things out. Don’t worry too much about filling requirements, and instead explore some things that sound interesting, but you might not have had exposure to. Some of my favorite classes have been my non-gen ed required classes. </p>
<p>Just in case you’re looking for the names of some of my favorite professors at the Claremont Colleges and why I love them:</p>
<p>Glenn Simshaw, Scripps, Writing: He is a really great professor who is incredibly passionate about his subject. He’s incredibly nerdy in the way that professors should be. He is also incredibly knowledgeable and speaks three languages, including Chinese.</p>
<p>David Roselli, Scripps, Classics: I took a course with him called “Ancient World in Film” about classical characters, literature, drama, and themes in film. The selection of material was absolutely fantastic, and the class discussions were almost always very interesting. It was a lot of work, but I learned a lot. He’s also really approachable and fun to talk to.</p>
<p>Marc Katz, Scripps, German Studies: His Core II class with Perez de Mendiola about detective fiction and crime narratives (he also teaches a similar class by himself called plotting crime, which I also hear is very good) is fantastic. He’s sort of what you’d expect a German studies professor to be like. He wears cool leather boots and speaks about sex and corruption and death in a sort of pretentious but still likeable way. Regardless, most everything he says is very interesting.</p>
<p>Marina Perez de Mendiola, Scripps, Hispanic Studies: is awesome. English is her fourth language, so she doesn’t always use the right words, but she’s never difficult to understand. She’s just really smart and nice and cool.</p>
<p>Oona Eisenstadt, Pomona, Religious Studies: Really, all I can say is that she’s ridiculously amazing! I’m taking her children’s literature class this semester and it’s just absolutely the best class ever! She’s so intelligent and all the class discussions are just so interesting. Best of all, she’s really interested in hearing what you have to say even though she has her own really interesting theories about all the class material. She makes me excited to wake up at 9AM every morning.</p>
<p>Dipa Basu, Pitzer, Sociology: Dipa is just really cool. She’s originally from India, then from Britain, and then came to LA. He main field of study, believe or not, is urban hip hop culture. She’s smart, cool, picks course good material, and has a fantastic accent.</p>
<p>steinygrrl, have you taken statistics in high school? I ask because the one semester where I took five classes without much stress was my second semester freshmen year, in which I took statistics for my math GE. I already know a lot about stats from high school, where I had a great teacher and got a 5 on the AP exam. So, the stats class was not as challenging or time-consuming as most every other course I’ve taken in Claremont. Also, taking five classes your first semester will depend a lot on your faculty adviser. Some advisers might not approve of that.</p>
<p>yes i took stats last year. thanks so much for the advice everybody :)</p>
<p>Does anyone here know about the art program at Scripps and what kind of classes you take the first year? </p>
<p>I have to make a difficult choice between Scripps and the College of Creative Studies program in UCSB (which offers graduate-like experience - no pre-requisites). I’m very interested in Studio Art (got into RISD, but would prefer not to go to an art college because I want to have more choices). My problem is that I prefer the Scripps community (including the consortium) and atmosphere to UCSB’s. Also, I know that studio art is a popular major in Scripps, so I’m sure it is taken seriously there.</p>
<p>You would probably take Fundamentals of Art and Combined Media Art (both major reqs) in your first year, along with writing and core, and probably a language (unless you test out). </p>
<p>The Claremont course schedule for next semester is online here, if you’d like to see examples of other art classes available in the fall:
<a href=“Portal”>https://portal.claremontmckenna.edu/ics/Public_Course_Schedule/</a>
(This link might not work outside the Claremont network… let me know if it doesn’t)</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve already browsed through the art department section of Scripps website, but if you haven’t, major requirements and course descriptions are available there. You may also want to look at the offerings on the other 4 Cs websites, since those classes will also be available to you. The consortium is a huge advantage!</p>
<p>I think another benefit to Scripps over UCSB is our strong study abroad program. The college really encourages all students to study abroad regardless of major, and we have several art-centered programs in Italy and France (though your major doesn’t have to dictate where you can go). If you plan to study abroad and want to go somewhere more unconventional, SIT has some cool art programs that you could petition to go on.</p>
<p>According to my roommate, Scripps has an amazing ceramics department. And I’ve heard that painting is amazing at Pomona. Art does seem like a popular major here though I haven’t had a chance to take any classes–they’re pretty difficult to schedule as a non-major who prefers no morning classes. </p>
<p>One thing I’ve been sort of disappointed with is the lack of art-related extracurriculars for people who aren’t taking art classes, though maybe I’m just not looking hard enough, and I probably wouldn’t have time to be super-involved anyway. Figure drawing club meets every other Thursday night for 2 hours at Pomona though. They have models come in and it’s a great, laid-back experience and good practice for drawing.</p>
<p>Adding professors I loved to the list -
Mark Golub from the politics department is amazing, and his political theory course greatly contributed to my decision to major in politics. He’s brilliant and makes you passionate about material that could potentially be very dull if taught by someone else, but a bit of a flake when it comes to grading on time. He’s teaching Intro to Political Theory and Race and American Politics in the fall. Both are full, but if you’re dedicated and show up to class on the first week, he might let you add the course.</p>
<p>Would you guys say that it is relatively easy to make friends at Scripps/the 5C’s in general? I’m a prospective transfer and I’m a little nervous about making friends 
is it cliquey at all, or do you think the students would have a warm reception to a transfer?</p>
<p>dreamer, I wasn’t a transfer student, but I entered as a new first year in January. that was even more difficult than starting as a fall transfer. we had an orientation, but it was very small and not like the one you get in the fall. I also took the core sequence a year late, which made me feel constantly out of step with my class until my senior year when we all wrote our theses together.</p>
<p>The good news is that while it was a little more challenging, I still did make friends. I didn’t find groups to be cliquish, but it is more difficult to make friends when groups of friends are already established. luckily I met some friendly people who were open to making more friends, and eventually I had a core group of close friends. I was also lucky in that I had friends from my class and that class below me due to my unique situation. In your position I would definitely make an effort to get to know the new transfers and first years, who will be in the same place as you, and I would also se if your peer mentor can introduce her to your friends if you like her. (this doesn’t always work - my mentor’s social circle was entirely the Intervarsity Christian group, which wasn’t really my scene.)</p>
<p>Overall I would just say to put yourself out there are get involved, just like if you were a first year, and your friends will come. My freshman year roommate (who was also a January admit) hid in her room for 3 1/2 years and graduated without having made any friends. Your experience at Scripps and the friends you make will definitely have a lot to do with what you put into it and make of the experience.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! That’s beyond helpful 
I can’t wait to visit the campus and make my decision! I’ve stopped worrying so much about the social life, almost every Scrippsie I’ve talked to insists that everyone is friendly and it’s easy to find a group of friends, a far cry from NYU (where I’m transferring from)</p>
<p>im OFFICIALLY going to scripps!!! I’m so so so happy thank you for all of your help! After a harrowing freshmen year at NYU, I’ve never felt more confident about anything in my whole life–this is where I belong.</p>
<p>congrats can’t wait to meet u!</p>
<p>Change of plans: looks like I’m going to Wesleyan University instead. They gave me a HUGE ammount of money & an offer that I simply couldn’t deny. Have fun in the gorgeous california sun though!!</p>
<p>Haha. That’s kind of how it goes. No hard feelings! Enjoy Wesleyan!</p>
<p>I am bumping this thread because it’s useful and I like it.</p>
<p>^ agreed!
How about some suggestions for visiting on campus?
Interview will be Aug. 31. Will also do the tour. Would love to do an official overnight, but they do not schedule them that early in the semester. Will sit in on classes and check out facilities. What do you suggest as to getting some feel for social life, especially not being there on a Friday or Saturday :(</p>
<p>How many days do you suggest for checking the school out thoroughly and really getting a sense of the place. Will also be touring and interviewing at CMC. </p>
<p>Any and all suggestions welcome!</p>
<p>It’ll be hard to get a real feel for the campus that early in the year- the Motley won’t be open yet, there won’t be any parties going on yet, and even the classes you’re likely to sit in on (since school starts 9/1) will mostly be “here’s the syllabus and what you can expect from this class.” Most returning students will still be moving in on the 31st. So my advice is to be assertive, perhaps more so than you might normally be, because the only people who can give you the answers your looking for will be the returning students. The tour guide is a great place to start, she may be able to answer your questions or introduce you to her friends. If you know anyone (a friend of a friend even) who goes to a claremont school, that might be a way for you to arrange an unofficial overnight.</p>
<p>Thanks!
Oh, assertive won’t be too much of a stretch… 
Like, anyone here feel like playing host? Promise to not be a problem or outstay my welcome, just need to be pointed in the right direction.</p>