Summer Science Immersion Program

SScIP has been designed to introduce participants to the expectations and demands of college-level science coursework. The theme of the program, “The Chemistry of Life,” will be of particular relevance to students who plan on enrolling in introductory biology and/or chemistry during their first semester.

• A week-long experience designed to introduce participants to the expectations and demands of college-level science coursework.
• An opportunity to participate in cutting-edge science

SSCIP pre-orientation is scheduled for August 10th-16th, 2025.

• Participating students can expect to move in on Sunday, August 10th, 2025.
• SScIP will conclude on Saturday, August 16th, 2025. Department of Natural Sciences will provide housing and meals after the program if you choose to stay on campus and aren’t involved in Pitzer orientation trips.
• Given the uncertainty of the COVID situation, if you are purchasing a plane ticket, we do advise that you purchase a ticket that is refundable or can be changed with minimal fees. If we are unable to offer an in-person program, they will instead offer an abbreviated Zoom version (as they did in 2020).

First-year students are invited to participate in the program. We especially encourage applications from students who are:

• First-generation college students
• From groups traditionally underrepresented in science
• From under-resourced high schools

The theme of the week is “The Chemistry of Life,” and participants will explore the theme through hands-on laboratory experiments, field trips, and other activities. A number of topics will then be explored, including the structure and function of biomolecules. We will discuss the search for life on exoplanets

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Create peer networks
• Establish strong relationships with science faculty
• Learn about course offerings in science and math
• Explore the resources available across the Claremont colleges
• Two chemistry experiments on Monday—by the end of the day, the chemistry lab will feel like a second home!

No, there is no fee to participate.

• There will be no charge for room and board during the program.
• Participants will be housed on the Scripps campus and meals will be provided.
• Students will move onto the Scripps campus on August 10th, 2025.
• The science will begin on August 10th, 2025.
• The Immersion Program will conclude on August 16th, 2025.
• Department of Natural Sciences will provide housing and meals after the program if students choose to stay on campus and aren’t involved in Pitzer orientation trips or the Scripps First-Gen program.

To apply for the program, simply answer the questions below and send them in an email to the Director of the program, Marion Preest at mpreest@natsci.claremont.edu.

• Applications can be submitted at any time, but must be submitted by July 6th, 2025.
• Admissions will be on a rolling basis and the program is capped at 20 students, so please apply early.
• You will be notified regarding your admission to the program within 1-2 weeks of submitting your application.

Application Information Required (please email to Marion Preest)

1. Name:

2. Your pronouns:

3. Mailing Address:

4. Phone Number:

5. Email Address:

6. College you are Admitted to:

7. Please tell us why you are interested in participating in SScIP (max 1 pg response):

8. Please tell us about your high school math and science background (max 1 pg response):

Read below for some inspiring testimonials about the Summer Science Immersion Program

• “SScIP helped me branch out of my comfort zone and explore all of the possible opportunities in …..science, and this program inspired me and other students similar to me. We can do anything if we know that resources are being provided in advance (approachable professors, REU research opportunities, mentoring, tutoring, books, and more!) before starting college. If it weren’t for this very elaborate program, exposing me to the opportunities being provided, I may have missed out on actually giving science a chance. Coming to lab the first day as a freshman with other students from higher backgrounds from me in the science, was not as scary thanks to SScIP. I still speak to pretty much every single student that was in my incoming SScIP class and our current journey through the colleges and assist each other anyway we can, because SScIP brought us together to collaborate in groups and interact with one other in mentor sessions impacted me for a lifetime! I don’t think I would have made it through freshman year without SSIP.”
• “SScIP was the training wheels that solidified my interest in studying science in college as well as allowing me to adjust to college before it actually started. I’m so appreciative for the experience for it made my transition into college so much easier.”
• “SScIP gave me the confidence and support group I needed in my first semester of college. The connections I made over that single week will last me throughout college and beyond.”
• “SScIP made me feel far more prepared for lab than I would have been without it, and it empowered me to see that I have a place in science, though my gender is not well-represented in STEM.”
• “As a first-year college student and underrepresented minority at a higher institution, opportunities like the one SScIP offers are rare. SSCIP served as a pivotal moment by preparing me for rigorous college level readings and labs, introducing me to caring and encouraging faculty, and fostering a sense of community among my peers and me. Without a doubt, SSCIP has been the most influential program in my undergraduate education and has served as the perfect transition into college.”

Marion Preest – Pritzker Family Foundation Professor of Biology, Faculty Director of the Summer Science Immersion Program.

• For SScIP questions, please email Marion Preest at (mpreest@kecksci.claremont.edu).
• To read the SScIP 2025 information flyer, click here.
• To learn more about the Department of Natural Sciences and their programs, click here.