Admission

Scripps College encompasses a community of curious, intellectually ambitious, energetic, and broadly diverse students interested in a challenging liberal arts education. The Office of Admission actively seeks students from a wide range of socioeconomic, racial, cultural, religious, geographic, and international backgrounds to create a vibrant and stimulating environment in which to live and learn.

Each year, the College receives many more applications than the number of spaces available. The review process is individualized, flexible, and holistic. It provides ample opportunity for students to demonstrate their unique skills and perspectives.

While the Admission Committee carefully considers every aspect of a student’s application, the quality of an applicant’s academic preparation is especially important. A recommended course of study for first-year applicants includes the following:

• Four years of English
• Four years of mathematics
• Three years of social studies
• Three years of science (biology, chemistry, or physics)
• Either three years of a foreign language or two years each of two different languages - one year may be taken before high school

Applicants are encouraged to select Honors, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate courses when available and appropriate. Applicants may only apply under one admission plan for each term (Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular Decision, or Transfer Admission).

First-Year Applicants

Students for whom Scripps College is clearly their first choice may consider Early Decision. Applicants who are admitted Early Decision are expected to withdraw their applications to other colleges and enroll at Scripps provided that, when applicable, they receive adequate financial assistance.

All applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $22,000 annually. All offers of admission are contingent upon receipt of final transcripts showing satisfactory completion of courses in progress.

Required Credentials for First-Year Applicants

1. The Common Application (including the Scripps College Member Page) and $60 nonrefundable application fee.
2. School report, completed by the student’s secondary school counselor.
3. Official transcripts of applicant’s high school record
4. Official scores from the SAT (Scripps code #4693) or ACT (Scripps code #0426)
5. Two teacher recommendation forms by teachers in different academic subject areas (English, math, science, social studies, or foreign languages). Recommendations from junior or senior year teachers are encouraged.

Optional Credentials for First-Year Applicants

1. Interviews are not required but can provide an excellent opportunity for an applicant to learn more about Scripps, and allow the interviewer to know an applicant better. Visit scrippscollege.edu/admission to schedule an on- or off-campus interview.
2. SAT Subject Tests, are not required but may be used for placement in or exemption from Scripps’ foreign language classes. (Please contact the Registrar’s office for specific information.)
3. Art, dance, and/or music portfolios submitted through The Common Application using Slideroom. Please visit The Common Application website for more details.

International Students

Scripps College welcomes the cultural richness and diversity that international students bring to the community. If English is not her first language, an applicant must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A score of at least 600 on the paper TOEFL, 100 on the internet TOEFL, or 7 on the IELTS is required to be considered for admission.

All international applicants must submit a College Board International Student Certification of Finances form; international students seeking need-based financial aid must also submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. Scripps College requires the certified English translation of all documents.

Homeschooled Applicants

Scripps College welcomes applications from homeschooled students. In addition to the application materials required for first-year admission, homeschooled students are encouraged to submit two SAT Subject Tests and an interview is recommended.

Deferred Entrance

Admitted students who wish to delay their matriculation to the College for one year must submit the $500 commitment fee by May 1. Requests for a deferment must be made in writing to the Vice President for Enrollment and are considered on an individual basis. Students who wish to enroll in another degree- or diploma-granting institution in the interim will not be granted deferments and must reapply as transfer applicants. Students must not apply to other colleges or universities during the deferment year.

Transfer Applicants

A student is considered a transfer applicant if any semester or quarter units were taken at another college after graduating from high school. All transfer students must spend the equivalent of four full-time semesters at Scripps (at least 16 course credits) in order to receive the B.A. degree. Of the course credits accepted for transfer from another institution, only 16 will be counted toward a Scripps degree.

Transfer Deadlines

Offers of transfer admission are contingent upon receipt of final transcripts showing satisfactory completion of courses in progress. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures  section of the catalog for detailed information about Scripps College’s policy regarding transfer credit.

Required Credentials for Transfer Applicants

1. The Common Application (including the Scripps College Member Page) and $60 nonrefundable application fee
2. The Transfer College Report Form through The Common Application
3. Official transcript(s) of applicant’s college course work
4. Official high school transcript(s)
5. SAT or ACT scores, submitted via the testing agency or the applicant’s secondary school record (waived for students who have been out of high school for 5+ years, applicants attending a community college, or applicants attending a test-optional college or university)
6. Two college instructor recommendations

Optional Credentials for Transfer Applicants

Please see the Optional Credentials for First-Year Applicants section.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credits

Scripps College may award credit or exemption to students who have taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate courses and examinations, or have participated in the College Level Examination Program. For details, see the applicable catalog sections in Academic Policies and Procedures  .

Readmission

Please see the Enrollment  section of the catalog for information regarding Readmission. 

Visiting Students

Please see the Enrollment  section of the catalog for information regarding Visiting Students. 

Contact Information

Address:
Scripps College, Office of Admission
1030 Columbia Avenue, # 2000
Claremont, California 91711-3905

Phone:  (909) 621-8149
Fax:      (909) 607-7508
Web:    scrippscollege.edu/admission