Scripps Questions / My Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Scripps College
1

<p>Hi there, I applied ED II to Scripps and I'm getting a lot of different information regarding my chances, which I would like help in clarifying if possible! I also have a few questions. Thanks for your time!</p>

<p>Graduating in 2011,
School does not calculate class rank OR GPA but my grades this year have been all A-/A at an extremely difficult boarding school. In previous years they have been lower, but with steady improvement and no gaping holes or anything. My GPA would probably be around a 3.5/3.6; I know my average is like 91.5 or something? </p>

<p>SATs
Writing: 730
Reading: 740
Math: 640</p>

<p>(Total 2110)</p>

<p>Subject Tests
US History: 620
Literature: 710</p>

<p>AP Classes:
AP Portfolio (In progress)
AP English TEST (class not offered in junior year) Result: 5
(APs at my school are very small and application-entrance; for example I didn't get into AP biology even with an A in biology [no A+s at our school either])</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Bioarchaeology intern at state museum, co-head of a selective group of peer support leaders, in all three levels of choir, ultimate frisbee, class historian (part of student government - elected 3 years running), entrepreneur of a crafts business, photographer for both yearbook and newspaper, and photographer/editor for about 1/4 of the senior class' senior pictures.</p>

<p>Application type: ED II, Submitted December 24th 2010</p>

<p>Intended Major: Anthropology with an English/Creative Writing minor.</p>

<p>I am out of state, and applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>I submitted all of the supplements (obviously) as well as the arts supplement, two extra creative writing pieces (creative writing is a huge strength for me,) one of which was about what made me decide that I wanted to attend an all-womens' college, and, most of all, Scripps. </p>

<p>Classes I am taking this year:
Neuroscience
Forensics
Jane Austen Literature
19th Century Fiction
Mathematical Methods (A theory based course dealing with concepts such as infinity, deeper logic, and complex theorems)
African History
AP Portfolio</p>

<p>If you need any more information to help me out here, please tell me! I think that I really connected with the admissions officer that I interviewed with, so hopefully that will help as well. I absolutely love Scripps and I can't really see myself anywhere else. I know it's not good to put all of your eggs in one basket, but I can't really help it. I've heard everything from around a 50% chance to 100% chance from every source I've consulted, so anything you could tell me would just help balance that out. I do have a few more questions which anyone who attends Scripps would probably be able to answer!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Did/will you study abroad or have a friend who studied abroad? What was that like, and was it easy to find a program that you liked and integrate it into your major?</p></li>
<li><p>How are first year roommates selected? (Obviously it's early for me to be thinking about this, but I am just very curious.)</p></li>
<li><p>Is there anything that you wish you had done wither in your first year or in the admissions process that you think would have benefitted your experience?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thank you, again, (so much!) for any answers!</p>

2

<p>Oh, also, I won two English awards at my current school, and at my previous school I was given an award for the highest GPA in the freshman class.</p>

3

<p>stardops- I think your app looks pretty good. Your stats aren’t the strongest, but the admissions officers will likely be familiar with your school which will help put your grades/APs into perspective. I think you have a pretty good chance, more so because you applied ED II, which really demonstrates a commitment to Scripps. I don’t have a percentage to give you, perhaps somewhere between 50-100, but erring on the higher side of things.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I’m studying abroad this spring semester and I’m really excited. I’m going to Denmark to study European Culture & History. One of my classes will count towards my creative writing major (From Homer to Harry Potter: European Storytelling), and the rest are ones I mostly wanted to take for fun (Photojournalism, Nordic Mythology, etc). As a first-year, I probably wouldn’t have guessed that Denmark is where I would’ve ended up (I think I was leaning New Zealand, Czech Republic, or Italy), but the program really impressed me and I’m very happy that I found it, and that our Off-Campus Study office made it so easy to apply. As an Anthro major, it will be really easy to find programs that apply to your course of study. Finding Creative Writing classes in non-English speaking countries is nearly impossible, but Lit classes are definitely available. </p></li>
<li><p>First-year roommates are selected after filling out a detailed questionnaire. Then, summer residential life staff spend a full day reading those answers and pairing/grouping people they think would make good fits, based on things like sleep preferences, attitudes, and even music.</p></li>
<li><p>I think attending Outdoor Orientation would have been a blast, but it was a logistical nightmare for me to try to figure out. If it’s possible, I would recommend doing it.</p></li>
</ol>

4

<p>Thank you so much for the detailed response! I am nervous mostly about the grades because it’s actually almost impossible to get all As at my school unfortunately. I do know that the girls that have been accepted to Scripps from my school in the past have had about the same GPAs and slightly lower SATs, which makes me feel a little better, but admissions is always such a wildcard. Your program sounds AMAZING; I would take that opportunity in a heartbeat!</p>

<p>The more I think about it the more I want to go, which is horrible because technically the application isn’t even DUE for three more days, and we don’t find out for more than a month after that.</p>

5

<p>Hey Stardrops, </p>

<p>I’d say your chances are pretty solid as well. I’m from a similar situation in that I had less-than-perfect grades from a very difficult school, and I was accepted and given a merit scholarship. Moreover, your extracurriculars show dedication and depth. Scripps likes people who like them, and I can tell you love Scripps! As far as first year roomies go, Scripps chooses them exceptionally well. I love my roomies, and most of my friends get along really well with theirs. There are only 2-3 cases of room switching among first years that I know of.</p>

<p>I see you’re interested in Anthropology, and there are some very good Anthro courses here at the 5 C’s. So far, I’ve taken Political Anthropology (good class), and I am currently taking Biocultural Anth and Archaeology (the instructor’s a little nuts, but it’s a required class for the major so no avoiding it), and Human Sexuality (amazing, amazing class!!!). </p>

<p>The biggest mistake I’ve made so far is not applying to AISS, the accelerated freshman-only course that covers Intro Chemistry, Physics, and Biology all in one year. I enjoyed Biology in highschool, but I never thought I’d major in it and saw no reason to take Chem and Physics if I didn’t have to. Now, a semester wiser, I’m hitting myself in the face for that decision. Since coming to college, my interest in Biology has spiked and I’m seriously considering dual majoring in Anth and Bio. However, that means I have to take Bio, Chem, Physics, and Organic Chem for my Bio major, each of them year-long courses. My advice: if you have any interest and background in any of the sciences, apply to AISS! It’s hard work, but it will save you SO much work later on! If there’s the slightest chance you might major in science, it will be so helpful. Worst-case scenario, you’re a well-rounded individual.</p>

6

<p>Thank you very much! I’m really grateful for the detailed responses. Tomorrow is the first day of February, so now I’m just waiting for “mid-February” to find out, I suppose. I’m getting more nervous by the day!</p>