Thank you for your interest in Scripps Institution of Oceanography!

As a leader in ocean and earth science, Scripps recognizes its responsibility to cultivate more inclusive and diverse future generations of scientists. In an effort to increase the number of students from underrepresented backgrounds applying to Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), we will be doing targeted outreach to minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs).

This year we are inviting underrepresented minority students to participate in Scripps-GAAP, or the Graduate Application Assistance Program. Scripps-GAAP encompasses two separate programs: Chat with a Scripps Scientist (CWSS) and SIO-Applicant Support & Knowledgebase (SIO-ASK). These programs are designed to demystify the application and admissions processes as well as to create a more personal connection with prospective students in order to help "close the gap" in the number and depth of applications Scripps receives from underserved vs. better-served students and communities. It is also an effort to increase the visibility and awareness of the variety of research projects available at Scripps.

Students of all backgrounds and/or demographics are welcome to apply to participate, especially those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds who attend HBCUs, HSIs, and/or TCUs. This includes but is not limited to:

- Applicants who come from underrepresented minority groups (e.g. Black/African American, Chicano/Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Asian/Asian American, mixed-race POC)
- Applicants who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or gender-nonconforming
- Applicants who identify as women
- Applicants who identify as persons with a disability
- Applicants who have experienced or are experiencing financial hardship
- Applicants who were the first in their family to attend college/university

CWSS arranges one-on-one, introductory meetings between interested graduate school applicants and Scripps professors and/or current graduate students. CWSS will also offer a series of workshops crafted to help familiarize applicants with research and life at Scripps as well as the application process.  Students who participate in all 4 workshops may be eligible for an application fee waiver.

SIO-ASK is a mentorship program for prospective Scripps graduate students that matches applicants with current student mentors and provides personalized mentorship throughout the application process.

This form is for students interested in applying to graduate school at Scripps. For questions or comments on CWSS, please contact scrippsdiversity@ucsd.edu. If you have any questions about SIO-ASK, please contact sio-ask@ucsd.edu. General questions or comments can be sent to the Scripps Director of Diversity Initiatives, Keiara Auzenne at scrippsdiversity@ucsd.edu or at (858) 822-4962.

Note on Confidentiality: Information provided in this form will only be viewed by a small group of program coordinators to best match you with a mentor. This information will not be shared with faculty or researchers at Scripps and will not be used in or affect admissions procedures. Information provided will not be shared with your assigned mentor unless explicitly stated in the question.