I found this post from 2007 with “random questions about Scripps” and thought it would be interesting to see current responses. My daughter is accepted … we are very happy about that … and trying to decide among a few colleges. Here goes:
I just have some random questions about Scripps to see if this is the right school for me or not…sorry really random.
What are the girls like? Are they friendly and approachable or is it very cliquey? Is the social atmosphere one where everyone is friends with everyone? Is it easy to fit in?
What's the work load like? On average, how many hours of homework is there per day and what's the workload like on the weekends?
What is the stereotype of Scripps girls?
What is the reaction when you tell people you go to an all-women's college and how do you deal with that?
What's the social scene like on the weekends? Can you just walk into a random party at say.. Claremont McKenna and be accepted there even if you know noone?
What are the guys like at the other colleges? Do they flock to Scripps girls or stay away?
How are the dorms, and is the food good?
How big are the classes and are they challenging? Do you need to be involved in class discussions everyday or is there a bunch of people in each class?
I’m a parent so I can only answer some of the questions…
I think like all places there are probably some of every type. However, I know my D is very happy there. It is an environment where everyone generally knows (or at least recognizes) everyone else.
I know my D works hard, but I have no idea what the average hours are per day.
We don't usually get any reaction about the fact that it's a women's college. The usual question is "Scripps? Where's that?" or "Oh! in San Diego?" (FYI, there is a Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD that people think of first).
I know she and her friends regularly go to Mudd parties. If I had to guess, I think any student is welcome at any party even if they don't know anyone. That said there are sometimes limits. Some parties are only open to students from their own campus, or guests of students from their own campus etc.
Dorms are beautiful....each one has a spacious living room (usually with a TV, coach and piano), a "browsing room" (which is essentially a small library or study room), a kitchen, laundry facility etc. The dorm rooms are generally large.
As for food, yes she loves the food. Her favorite dining halls are at Scripps and at Mudd. But she goes to the others occasionally too.
They are small and definitely challenging, and yes, you need to be involved in class discussions. Granted there are some larger classes, but small is generally the norm.
Thank you. I copied these from an old post. My daughter is looking forward to being in classes with discussions … she is often one a very few that participate.
Hi there. My D is deciding between Scripps and Smith. I am leaning towards Scripps because they offered a great scholarship and is on the west coast closer to home. She has read there is not a big dorm culture and people don’t leave their doors open. She is not interested in parties but would very much like all bonding with the other women. Smith on the other hand is known for community and the houses they live in. Would love to hear anyone’s experience here. Thank you!
hey! i’m sorry this isn’t an answer, but have you and your daughter thought about an overnight visit? reading second-hand reports is one thing, but perhaps seeing for herself would help
@lilavocado Thank you. Yes, she is planning on an overnight visit. Admitted students day is April 21st, so she will be going then. It seems so long from now!
@pearl2017 - Your right there really isn’t a “dorm culture” and when I’ve visited I’ve never noticed open doors (quite the opposite from where my S is at Mudd). But as my D points out, she has friends all over campus (and in all sorts of majors), she doesn’t feel limited to her dorm. I guess it’s all in your perspective.
It’s true that Scripps doesn’t have much of a “dorm culture” but I have not found that to be an issue. The school is small and students are generally very open to meeting new people. You end up meeting a lot of people from orientation, classes, clubs, work, etc. so in my opinion, there isn’t much of a need for dorm culture.