Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Scripps admits about 1 in 3 applicants (38%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 90% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
$60 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
California applicants were admitted at 44%, applicants from other states at 43%, and international applicants at 18%.
Of those admitted, 21% from California enrolled, against 28% from other states and 14% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
26% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 537 offered a place, 319 accepted, 70 admitted (22% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 51% admitted
141 of 275 early applicants
Apply by Nov 15
Second round: apply by Jan 8
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Scripps reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both considered. Scores are optional. 19% of first-years sent an SAT and 16% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores.
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
32% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 38% of first-year applicants
117 applied · 37 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 1 per course completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Spring entry: priority date November 15
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Recommended
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 8 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
Recent change: Stopped considering legacy status in fall 2024.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
63% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 90% in the top quarter, of the 13% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Scripps College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1470 on the SAT, 300 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
89% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (93%) scored 700 or higher.
72% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
Shares of the 19% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Scripps College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Scripps College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Scripps College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Scripps College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)