Hello all! I am back to talk about the advantages of a women’s college and why I think you should consider attending one.
When I was going through my college application process, Scripps was always high on my list. That said, I wasn’t looking to attend a women’s college in particular—in fact, Scripps is the only one I applied to! But I’ve found that many of the reasons I love Scripps are, in fact, because it is a women’s college.
Me and my roommates at Matriculation
First, let me address some concerns about women’s colleges, and Scripps in particular.
One—Scripps students aren’t just women! There are many different gender identities represented at Scripps. So, while the space isn’t only women, it is focused on and caters to women, which is what makes Scripps unique.
Next, Scripps isn’t isolated! Yes, it’s a small school, but you don’t know everyone in your class, and with the advantage of the consortium, there are so many people to meet and learn from. And yes—there will be men in your classes, both at Scripps and off campus. Personally, I have never felt “cramped” or “isolated” on campus.
Now, the stereotypes—when people say “women’s college,” they often imagine either a sheltered and demure convent-like atmosphere or a den of man-hating, angry feminists. Neither of these pictures is accurate—there are so many different types of women at Scripps, and there is no right way to express yourself and your gender identity. Being at Scripps has allowed me to explore what it means to be a woman in a space without preconceived gender norms and with the support of my community.
Now, let me tell you why I think you should consider a women’s college.
I chose Scripps in part because I wanted to go to a small school in order to experience an intimate classroom environment. What I didn’t know was that being at a women’s college would impact the classroom environment as well.
It’s no secret that academia is very often male-focused and caters to men. And while it is fantastic that more and more women are attending college, primarily in coed schools, the academic space remains male-centered—especially in STEM fields. In contrast, Scripps is an academic space created intentionally for women and to focus on female leadership, empowerment and success. That intent carries forward in the classroom environment. It’s very difficult to describe the difference, it’s more about the energy in the room and the flow of discussion than it is about any concrete change—however, I will do my best to explain the impacts.
Studying outside with a friend
The number one impact for me has been in my confidence. While I have never had stage fright nor anxiety about speaking in class, I have realized that before Scripps I definitely hesitated—I participated not because I wanted to, but because I felt bad for the teacher. I also had a fear of being wrong, and, by extension, being ridiculed or mocked. I also had classes that were more men than women, and because of that dynamic, I often chose to not use my voice—even if I knew the answer.
Now, at Scripps, rarely does a professor ask for participation and no one is willing (it happens, but infrequently). Therefore, my method of “speak when no one else will” was pretty much out the window. But a different dynamic took hold–I learned from my peers and felt inspired by their participation and consequently I wanted to participate as well. After voicing my opinions a few times in my Core I class (all Scripps students), I discovered two things—first, that my peers were interested in what I had to say, and second, it is okay to be wrong. I was not mocked, or ridiculed, or any of the things I was afraid of. Gone were the fears of being mansplained to or belittled for my opinion.
The same held true in my other Scripps classes, even the ones that were not Scripps-only, but mostly female-dominated. In fact, I noticed that the dynamic was different on Scripps: the men in the classes recognized the difference in the space, and that it was not meant for them.
I have carried this confidence with me off campus while taking classes at the other 5C schools, in my jobs, in interviews, and in life. Scripps classrooms have taught me the value of my voice, that it is okay to be wrong, and how to create constructive conversation.
Another factor that I experienced in high school was a highly toxic competitive environment—this does not exist at Scripps. Yes, Scripps students are competitive—with themselves, mostly. Scripps students are passionate and want to succeed, but not at the cost of their classmates. Students going for the same internship will proof each other’s resumes; classmates’ study with each other, not against each other. Everyone is willing to help you reach your goal, and there to celebrate you when you do.
Although I could say much more about how being at a women’s college seeps into the Scripps experience and all the things I love about Scripps, I think the academic advantage of living and learning in a collaborative and supportive space is the most important for me, and I will leave you to discover for yourself how empowering a women-centered space can be. If you have any more questions about Scripps as a women’s college or anything else about Scripps feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or catch me at my IG office hours!