First-Year Applicants
You are considered a first-year applicant if you have not yet earned a high school diploma, including those of you who are enrolled in dual enrollment or early college programs.
Please contact Admission if you have any questions about the application process. We’re here to help you!
Application Checklist
- Common Application
- $60 application fee
- School Report and counselor recommendation
- Two academic teacher recommendations, preferably from junior or senior year classes
- Official transcript(s) from all secondary schools attended
Standardized Testing Policy
- Submitting SAT or ACT exam scores is completely optional.
- Students will not have to justify why they are not submitting SAT or ACT exam scores.
- Students will not be disadvantaged in the review process if they do not submit SAT or ACT exam scores.
- If a student chooses to submit SAT or ACT, Scripps will superscore the respective exam across test dates.
- Students should not jeopardize their health or the health of their families to take the SAT or ACT exam.
- International students educated outside of the U.S. are required to submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test result. An international student may request a waiver if their primary language is English or the language of instruction of their high school is English. More info can be found here.
- The deadline for changing a decision about submitting standardized test scores is December 4 for Early Decision I students and January 18 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision students. Students may update their decision about submitting standardized test scores by emailing applicants@scrippscollege.edu.
Recommended Courses
There are no specific courses required for admission. However, the recommended course of study is five academic subjects in each year of high school, including:
- 4 years of English
- 3+ years of mathematics (through the level of precalculus or higher)
- 3+ years of social studies
- 3+ years of science (biology, chemistry, and/or physics)
- 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, International Baccalaureate, or other advanced-level courses at their high school when available and appropriate.
Early Decision vs. Regular Decision
Early Decision is an excellent option for students who know that Scripps is their top-choice college. Early Decision is a binding process that provides an early application review and notification of admission decision. Regular Decision is our traditional application.
Admission Interviews
An optional part of the admission process, an interview can give you the opportunity to discuss your interests and goals and to learn more about Scripps. Please schedule an interview below:
Scholarships and Need-Based Financial Aid
All first-year applicants are considered for scholarships ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 annually, and the highest award is the James E. Scripps Scholarship. All scholarships are renewable for four years and applicants are notified whether they have been awarded a merit-based scholarship at the time of admission. No additional forms or early application is required. Visit our Office of Financial Aid page for information about need-based financial aid, including deadlines and required forms.
First-Year Applicants FAQs
Scripps College is committed to a holistic and thorough review of each application, with a careful consideration of the following: academic program and performance; personal essay; recommendations; and co-curricular activities. We imagine what the applicant would be like as a member of the Scripps community, engaged inside and outside of the classroom.
Scripps reserves the right to review and render a decision for a file that includes, at minimum, an application, transcript, and one letter of recommendation.
Starting in fall 2021, Scripps is adopting a test-optional policy for all students. This means students are no longer required to submit the SAT or ACT. International students for whom English is not their first language must submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
Yes, if a student takes the SAT or ACT more than once, we will consider your best score. The best SAT score is determined by combining the highest score received on each section from any combination of testing dates; note that we will not combine subscores from the new and old versions of the SAT. Best ACT score is also determined by combining the highest score received on each section from any combination of testing dates.
Students who choose to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application can send official scores or self-report scores through the Common Application, QuestBridge Application, or through the Self-Reported Test Scores form in the Application Status Portal form checklist. Students who self-report scores as part of their application to Scripps and choose to enroll are required to submit official score reports. If there is a discrepancy between self-reported test scores and official scores, this may affect a student’s offer of admission. Please note that we do not accept self-reported test scores for the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
The appropriate Scripps academic department will determine waiver of major requirements or placement into advanced courses based upon AP or IB courses and scores. Learn more about AP credits here or visit the Registrar’s site for more information.
Yes, you may submit your portfolio as part of your application. A portfolio is optional material and is not required for admission to Scripps College. Please submit your portfolio through SlideRoom in the Common Application. Your Common Application must be submitted prior to submitting your SlideRoom portfolio.
Deadlines
Early Decision I: November 16
Early Decision II: January 14
Regular Decision: January 14
Scripps will consider all applicants who indicate their legal sex as female submitted through the Common Application, in addition to applicants who self-identify as women. Therefore, an applicant who indicates legal sex as male or X and self-identifies as a woman is eligible to be considered for admission. Applicants who indicated their legal sex as male or X submitted through the Common Application and who do not identify as a woman are not eligible to be considered for admission. Scripps does not require government-issued documentation to verify sex or gender identity.
Early Decision is an excellent option for students who know that Scripps is their top-choice college. It is a binding process that provides an early application review and notification of admission decision.
Regular Decision is our traditional application option, and the majority of admitted students are evaluated and offered admission during Regular Decision. See application deadlines.
If the $60 application fee is a financial burden for you or your family, you may request a fee waiver on the profile screen in the Common Application fee waiver section.
Scripps College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Financial aid for first-year applicants is awarded at the time of admission. Submission of the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and FAFSA is required for first-year students who wish to be considered for financial aid. Financing an education can be a confusing and sometimes daunting task, and the College is committed to working with families to best understand a student’s individual financial situation and provide concise, timely information. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
All first-year applicants are considered for scholarships ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 annually, and the highest award is the James E. Scripps Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded to applicants whose strong academic performance and school or community involvement indicate they will add vitality and intellectual value to our campus. All scholarships are renewable for four years and applicants are notified whether they have been awarded a scholarship at the time of admission. No additional forms or early application is required. Please contact the Admission Office for questions about scholarships.
We understand that students applying to college may face catastrophic natural disasters which will inevitably impact the college admission process. If you are affected by a natural disaster during the admission process, email or call us to discuss options for a deadline extension.
