Hi everyone! My name is Jaela (’23), and I’m going to share with you my experience of why I chose a women’s college!
It was never my intention to attend a women’s college. I wanted to have the typical movie-like college experience that was co-ed. I had tons of misconceptions about women’s colleges: they were boring, students were catty and dramatic, classes were of lesser qualities, and women’s college’s could not give me the experience that I wanted. However, the first time I visited Scripps College, I got to experience the supportive and empowering environment curated for marginalized identities and people of color. Attending a women’s college is beneficial not only for boosting self confidence and engaging in new perspectives, but being surrounded by people with shared identity and understanding of the world. Unlike other co-ed institutions, women’s colleges, especially Scripps, cater their curriculum, initiatives, and clubs for people of minority communities making it a unique atmosphere.
Women’s colleges are usually smaller in size allowing for closer relationships to peers, faculty, and professors. The more one-on-one experiences allow for greater growth academically, emotionally, and mentally. The lack of gender inequality removes barriers that many people of marginalized identities experience at co-ed schools. A safe space is created for people to really be themselves, comfortably share their ideas, and aspire to higher feats. Social settings, affinity groups, and different clubs/organizations are more catered to marginalized identities. Students who graduate from women’s colleges are more self-assured and have more leadership skills due to their education and collegiate lifestyle being built by and for them. Contrary to popular belief, women’s colleges are equally, if not more rigorous, than co-ed schools with numerous programs to push students out of their comfort zones. Co-ed STEM programs across the country are usually male dominant and do not allow female voices to be heard. More students study STEM at women’s colleges than those at other universities, and some of the best STEM programs in the country come from women’s colleges.
Scripps’s Laspa Center for Leadership has several programs built on strengthening women’s leadership skills. Those who attend a women’s college are usually more prepared for graduate school and are more likely to be successful in their career compared to those who attend a co-ed school. The alumni network of women’s colleges is tight knit, yet expansive. The resources, internships, jobs, and upward movement that alumni of women’s colleges provide is unparalleled to other institutions. It is the shared experience between attendees of women’s colleges that allows for a close community with unlimited resources and opportunities. Prominent figures who attended women’s colleges are Hillary Clinton (Wellesley College), Meryl Streep (Vassar College—formerly a women’s college), Nancy Pelosi (Trinity Washington University), and Sylvia Plath (Smith College).
I hope this information helped you, and if you have any questions feel free to email me: jalvarez5085@scrippscollege.edu .