Scripps College enjoys the reputation as the top women’s college on the west coast while also offering access to the co-ed consortium of four other Claremont Colleges. Students may take classes and even major across the consortium. The gorgeous Mediterranean campus with its historic buildings, courtyards, and balconies sits below the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains in the western Los Angeles neighborhood of Claremont. Home to 1000 students, this liberal arts college offers an innovative three semester core curriculum in interdisciplinary humanities as well as general education requirements designed to foster engagement in critical thinking and contemporary issues. All Scripps students write a thesis senior year, research and internship opportunities abound, and approximately 60% of students study abroad at least once in their Scripps experience.

Scripps freshman matriculate by walking through the famous Denison Doors, doors which will not open again for them until they graduate. Campus life is vibrant as 95% of students live in beautiful dorms and enjoy excellent campus food for all four years. Other traditions include “Flick & Float” and “Screen on the Green” nights where movies are aired on large screens by the pool or on the lawn. Olive picking days get the entire campus involved. The harvest is shipped off to Ojai and the resulting olive oil earns high accolades. Students are also encouraged to pick from 20 kinds of edible plants dotting the campus. On our final stop touring the campus, we strolled the rose walk up to the iconic Graffiti Wall. Since 1931, graduating students pass their messages down to future students in murals that become time capsules for alumni to later enjoy. Scripps is a special place and I look forward to recommending it to students who might find it just the right fit!