The tight-knit community at 61´«Ã½ often feels like a sisterhood — and in some cases it is. Find out how having a sister on campus affects the experience of these students.
Daniela and Juliana Canas Baena
Even before coming to Scripps, Daniela and Juliana knew it as a second home; the Ontario, California natives used to take walks through campus as high schoolers and imagine themselves as undergrads. When they discovered they were a part of the class of 2016, both were thrilled to share the college experience with one another.
“I remember taking a tour with Juliana and learning about the tradition of walking through Denison’s doors only twice,” says Daniela. “As first years, Juliana and I were at the front of the line to walk through those doors and become official Scrippsies. Sharing that experience is something I will never forget!”
For Juliana, sharing traditions like that is just an added bonus to having a sister at Scripps.
“Having Daniela here definitely helped me transition to college,” she says. “It was nice having a familiar face here to make school feel like home. Plus, she is an awesome study buddy! We have spent many hours editing each other’s Core and international relations papers.”
When they aren’t studying or enjoying each other’s company, the sisters extend their support to prospective students as members of Scripps’ Admissions Ambassadors program.
Emily and Kaitlin Morris
Kaitlin Morris ’15 already had a favorite Motley drink before she enrolled at 61´«Ã½; older sister Emily ’14 was a barista there and versed her younger sister in the coffee shop’s extensive menu before arriving on campus. And the help doesn’t end there – Emily was also instrumental in helping with other aspects of campus life.
“I was excited to come to 61´«Ã½after hearing Emily describe her experiences here,” says Kaitlin. “It was helpful to ask her questions about classes and clubs because she already knew my personality. It made adjusting to 61´«Ã½even easier. Now that I’ve been here three years, she asks me about professors too!”
Attending the same college has also changed the dynamic of Emily and Kaitlin’s interactions outside the classroom.
“Our relationship has definitely improved since we both came to Scripps,” says Emily. “Being away from home and in this setting helped me see Kaitlin as a friend as much as a little sister.”
“It’s really nice to spend time with Emily and her friends, and to have her do the same with mine,” says Kaitlin. “We never really hung out with the same friends before college, and having an older sister here expanded my social circle and allowed me to befriend some incredible people I may not have met otherwise.”