Scripps College Top Questions

Those who attend college are better prepared for life’s challenges and are able to make a viable contribution to their community and society as a whole. I decided to attend college to be able to interact with other people from different cultures and value systems other than my own. This would give you a broad perspective of how diverse the world really is, but also how much we are alike and what we all have in common, which is a thirst for knowledge.The idea behind going to college is to challenge self first and to put self in a position that would bring the greatest satisfaction, which is self gratification upon completion of a degree. Many people who have gone on to be successful entrepreneurs went to college to realize their full potential. This means that you too would have to become degreed to compete with peers and other generations. If you want to be taken seriously about career endeavors and respected for achieving your own goals and objectives as well as the goals and objectives of a future employer. Attending college is a way for you to utilize your mind and to sharpen your critical thinking skills.

As a first-year in college I "knew" that I wanted to be pre-medicine and to go on to get an MD. After several years in college I was not satisfied with my pre-med internships. I eventually switched to pre-veterinary medicine, and am much happier in this career choice. Thus I would tell my high school senior self to be open when it comes to academic exploration. Changing your mind about what you want to do is not only okay, it is necessary. Even if you end up back where you started, or with a similar career/life path, investigating other options is always important. I would also advise my high school senior self that my true friends in college will be the ones who do not judge me, even after knowing ALL of me. Although there will always be people who judge you, being open about the fact that I have struggled with serious OCD and anxiety disorders allowed my to distinguish those who were truly loyal to me. I found friends who struggled with similar problems and who helped me through tough times at college.

As you look to college, recognize that the college experience is as much about learning about yourself as it is about book learning. Enjoy the opportunity to explore diverse topics; don’t limit yourself to your major courses. You will meet different people this way, make friends, hone your ability to talk about a variety of subjects, and develop skills that may play an unexpected role later in life. You will be surprised to learn how much creativity is involved in science, how strategy used in sports plays a part in the boardroom and developing business strategies and tactics. Elective classes may lead you to your passion…perhaps resulting in you developing the next new hot business. Don’t take yourself too seriously, be diligent when necessary, do great work, and enjoy your college life. Believe in yourself, don’t hesitate to ask for help, dare to venture outside of your comfort zone in terms of who you say hello to and what interests you pursue, but stay safe. Look out for yourself. Be aware of your surroundings. Meet as many people as you can and learn from them, teachers, students, staff…there is something to be learned from all.

I didn't have any advice going into college, I was the first to attend a college outside of my home state. I would tell myself to save all of the money I earned from working, because it was unpredictable how much I would be spending while attending college. Also I would tell myself that there is nothing to worry about, the transition is almost effortless. There is as much diversity as there is in high school, so that I could learn even more about other people and their cultures.

If I could give my high-school self a bit of advice, I would probably say something along these lines: "I know you like to have everything figured out, planned down to minutae, and that the uncertainty of the college application process distresses you. Honestly, though, this stretch of time (like the rest of life) is utterly unpredictable. Be prepared to be flexible. Don't panic when you receive rejection letters; rather, trust that everything is going to work out the way it needs to. Finally, recognize that your plans can and WILL change. You may have your mind all made up now, but be open to the possibility of changing it, of exploring new interests and passions. I guarantee you will not be disappointed by the discovery."

I am very grateful to be in college, because I have met amazing new people with similar interests of my own, and have gotten the opportunity to further my education in my area of interest. Although sometimes it is quite challenging, I know that in the end all my hard work will pay off.

College is a lot different than high school. Your freshman experience will definitely make an impression on you. Without doubt, though, the most dramatic freshman year is for those living away from home. What can you expect as you head off into the wonderful world of higher education? The first thing you'll notice is the workload. It will be heavier and more intense than you ever experienced before. The major challenges of college work are the large volume of reading, the short deadlines, and the writing, writing, writing. You'll be away from the comforts and friendships your home provided for you over the previous years. But you'll be making a lot of new friends. Believe it or not, your college friendships will be among the most satisfying and long-term of your life. It's always exciting to discover how wonderfully diverse college relationships can be. You may even start to think about your future. Be on the lookout for role models. Going to college is as much about finding out who you really are as it is about getting that degree.

College has been a rewarding experience. It has matured me and allowed me to dream again. I have acquired the ability to set goals for myself and achieve them. College has filled a void in my life that has prevented me from reaching my full potential. Coming back to school from the workforce was a challenge at first, but once I began to develop the discipline and the desire to learn, school became a powerful tool that I needed to succeed in life. I know now that having a college degree can break some of the road blocks that I faced out in the work force. I would like the opportunity to earn a college degree, continue to achieve an advanced degree and eventually start my own eco-friendly business in the future. I want to use my business to promote a healthy lifestyle and create environmental awareness so our children may live in a healthier cleaner world. College will be the key to unlock the doors for my success and help me to realize my dreams in life.

Although I am only in the second semester of my freshman year at Scripps College, I can already identify changes in myself. Although I have always been an independent person, living far away from my family has given me confidence in my own abilities. Intellectually, I have become a critical thinker, a stronger writer, and a vocal student in the classroom. The community at Scripps has allowed me to form invaluable friendships that will last a lifetime. The faculty and staff are truly committed to creating a nurturing environment so that I can explore who I am and discover new layers of myself. Through courses that use intensive reading and writing to develop critical thinking skills I approach the world in a new way. The small classes foster tight bonds with fellow classmates and the chance to work closely with professors on papers and projects. Ultimately, Scripps College has given me the opportunity feel confident in my own abilities.

I would give my completely shocked self a hug. Then I would proceed to say: "Dear Giselle, you need to understand that though you are escaping a bad situation at home for a better one in college, you are NOT going to have the same college experience as everyone else. You do not come from the same background, financially, emotionally or educationally. You do not have the same support system that they do. But just because you are coming from a harder place does not mean they get to make you feel that you are worth any less, no matter your g.pa.. You've made it this far because you are a brilliant minded person with a lot of character and strength, and you should not let anyone - teacher or student - make you feel any differently. You are going to confront more obstacles than you thought, especially because Scripps College promised to be a home, but will more often manifest itself as a snobby, undiversified student body, anchored by a bureaucracy that wants you to feel appreciative of the pittance they give. Despite the many heartaches, you need to remember: everything will be okay in the end. I promise."