What happens now: A glimpse into the application process from inside the Admission Office

It’s now the second week of November and the first of the college’s application deadlines has passed. Ever wonder what is happening to that application you’ve just submitted?

During this time of year our hardworking staff members are getting applications assembled and ready to read. Bins of mail are brought over from the Scripps Mailroom each day. Common applications submitted online are printed. GPAs are recalculated. Supplements are sent to their respective departments for review.

All of the pieces of the application—from the Common Application and Scripps Supplement to the teacher recommendations and Graded Writing Assignment—are logged in and put together for each applicant. A labeled, color-coded folder is created for every candidate (green file folders for our merit scholarship applicants, pink for Early Decision candidates). Applicants with missing credentials are notified by the office.

What are we looking for in an applicant? First, someone who has done well in a rigorous curriculum and has the support from her school as well as the test scores to back up her academic achievement in high school. Obviously we want to admit applicants who are likely to be successful in the challenging academic program offered at Scripps and, beyond that, we look for students who have shown intellectual engagement in and passion for at least one academic field.

In addition, we try to imagine what the applicant would be like as a member of the Scripps community. In what ways would she contribute outside the classroom? Is she likely to be an involved community member—in student government, on the newspaper, as a member of Challah for Hunger, or on an athletic team? What will she be like as a roommate?

Each piece of the application is significant and reveals something about the prospective student. Our goal, as admission officers, is to take a holistic approach to reviewing each file with the goal of putting together an accomplished, promising, and diverse group of young women to add to the Scripps community.

Best regards,

Margaret, Admission Counselor