My daughter attended the overnight visit and is fairly devastated about Scripps. It has been her #1 school throughout the app process and she was so looking forward to attending and now she’s overwhelmed and confused about what to do.
Current students have told the admitted visitors not to accept and verbally trashed the school. I don’t have full details, but will try to get specifics when she gets home. I’ve told her not to listen to disgruntled people, but it sounds like the atmosphere on this trip was toxic. What is going on there? Can anyone give some insight? I really don’t know what to say to my D.
Do the current students have any idea how their words can affect another’s future? I’m so angry right now.
There are disgruntled students at every school, even Harvard based on posts here on CC. Advise her to talk to a variety of students while there, not just the nasty ___ group she was assigned to.
@doschicos is asking a good question! If she is still on campus, she needs to go to the dining hall and/or library and approach some other students ASAP and ask them about their experiences. She also needs to reach out to her admissions officer or the admissions liaison and discuss this. She should not leave campus (if possible) without gathering as much additional information as she can.
Honestly, if you can ascertain if she is still on campus, I would suggest calling Scripps yourself, explain that your daughter has been approached by some students with very negative comments. If they are smart, they should send an envoy to track her down and put her in front of other students. What do you have to lose at this point?
She has two other great options, academically and financially, but she had made up her mind long ago. This is completely throwing her - with a week until May 1.
@neva24 The number one lesson is never make up your mind on a campus until you visit. I know of so many anecdotes where kids opinion changes after a visit. You should be glad your daughter received the feedback she did. Of course opinions amongst students differ but there probably is some good reason behind the negativity expressed. If you can, immediately go visit the other two options-take off from work and school this week to get in a visit–even if no tour is offered–just speak with other students and get a vibe before she has to commit next week.
She had an overnight visit in the fall and loved it. She also toured last Spring. She said it feels like a different place and everyone is so angry. What is going on? Is it related to the RA strike?
I did not realize she visited twice before. I know that first impressions are hard to change. But the best info is always the most recent, up-to-date visit, so at least be glad you found out now before she goes there and tells you she wants to transfer out.
On the other hand, she had two positive visits. There is a current issue that is upsetting students on campus. The likelihood is that it will resolve by August (and maybe even by next weekend, lol). It’s unfortunate that the hosts/panelists were so wrapped up in whatever has them upset that they would feel compelled to tell a group of admitted students not to enroll. I am really curious to find out what is going on (and I have a nephew at Pomona, so I am going to reach out to him to find out). But I hope your daughter will do some additional research before making a decision, even though this experience may be difficult to overcome.
We were there and didn’t come across these students. It’s a very emotional time for Scripps students, given a recent suicide that prompted an RA strike, but these are passionate young women expressing themselves, and the truth is most colleges have similar issues. Here you are allowed, and even encouraged, to speak up and (we hope) prompt positive changes, but right now they are in the midst of controversy and dealing with grief and anger. Having experienced the suicide of two friends, I can understand this part of the grieving process, as you look for answers. In general, Claremont students are a passionate bunch and I hope they can make their point about some critical issues, like access to mental health care. Admin says they are working on it, which doesn’t resolve the terrible outcome for that student
It’s unfortunate that your daughter had a bad experience during her critical decision time, but I suspect this will be resolved by August. I was very concerned before going but now I feel they are better off going to a place where this is discussed in the open, where admin. Is forced to pay attention.
The current campus mood sounds like unfortunate timing (for your daughter’s overnight) especially in light of her two previous visits (positive, affirming her #1 choice).
Getting some background on recent events (@baymom1) might help her understand why the students were salty this week.
Both of my children had disastrous overnight visits. One overheard the host say “at least I get paid”, and the second ended up sleeping in the lounge of the dorm after the host made it clear how much they valued privacy.
On every campus there are groups that students will and most definitely will not get along with. I would suggest this trip was the later…but it doesn’t change the fact there are plenty of similar minded folks around. I would be more interested in any classroom / professor / admin interactions. The great things about college campuses is that they can change priorities / focus / energy pretty quickly. Today’s protest is tomorrows old news. A quarter of the angry people (or more most likely) won’t be there in the fall.
The issues going on at Scripps is not just a couple kids negative attitude influencing a visit - the campus is in a bit of of turmoil, just have to google news on the colleges, it is more than just a bad visit. Dean’s are being forced out, even Harvey Mudd snowflakes are complaining of too big a workload, it’s a pretty toxic environment right now. Unfortunate it is happening in April. This to shall pass, but bad timing.
