Our DD (who is not on College Confidential) is seriously considering Scripps. She likes to write and thinks she might like to major in psychology, though she is also interested in education and media studies (a major at Pomona). She is a recruited athlete who would cross country and track for CMS. She loves to sing and hopes to audition for a capella groups. She is attracted to Scripps academically, athletically, and socially (she is enjoying the admitted students Facebook group). We will visit again early next week (but will miss the accepted students day because it conflicts with her area track meet). Do any students, alums, or parents out there have any insights on psychology, running, and a capella at Scripps?
Psychology is one of the most popular majors at Scripps, and has some outstanding professors. Scripps is one of the top feeder schools for psych PhDs. You also have access to Pomona/CMC psychology courses as well, which are not usually restricted to off-campus majors. Pitzer has a great psych department, but I’ve found them to be rather restrictive in terms of cross-registration. All in all, there are around 100 courses in psychology offered each year across the colleges, giving Scripps students access to more courses than available at other schools. For instance, one of my friends is doing research with a forensic psychologist at CMC as he is the only one among the 5C’s with that research interest.
She can take some teaching courses through Claremont Graduate University. Pomona/Pitzer give two lenses to media studes; Pomona is more theoretical, whereas Pitzer is more applied. Media studies is a field that isn’t restricted across the campuses.
A capella groups are 5C based. There are 8 talented groups and they host auditions around the same time right when school starts. There are a capella concerts pretty much every week and a large a capella concert called SCAMFEST in which all the Claremont groups + UCLA and USC perform in. It’s one of the largest events on the 5C’s, and tickets are almost always sold out. The 5C’s also hold the regional semifinals for a national a capella competition.
I can’t speak for running in specific, but CMS is considered the best athletic team of the SCIAC and in the top 15 of DIII programs nationwide. The athletes tend to be very close to each other. It’s a great opportunity to meet students from CMC and Mudd as well.
@nostalgicwisdom Thank you so much. This is really helpful information.