Useful Information for Prospective Graduate Students - 2023
We are extremely pleased you are considering Scripps Research's Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences to complete your doctoral studies.
As you plan this next phase of your academic life, we hope the resources and information on this page provide valuable insight into life as a Scripps Research graduate student and the career and training opportunities it affords. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will be glad to help.
Relocation assistance is provided to help incoming graduate students with the initial cost of moving.
Scripps Research will cover costs for airfare, train, bus, rental car, or other public means at coach fare. You can purchase your own ticket and submit for reimbursement, or use our travel agent who will bill Scripps Research directly.
Students driving to campus in their own vehicle will be reimbursed for direct mileage from their residence to Scripps Research at the current moving mileage rate of 18 cents per mile. Mileage is not reimbursable for those driving a moving van or rental car, however, gas receipts will be accepted.
Scripps Research will reimburse hotel costs up to six (6) nights at $200 per night, plus tax. This benefit can be used for students who are driving cross country, and for students whose apartment is not quite ready for occupancy, for example. For those who have yet to find housing, an apartment close to Scripps Research can be used up to four weeks.
Additional moving expenses for shipping of personal items will be reimbursed up to $1500.
If you have any questions about this benefit, please email Shannon Deck at: sdeck@scripps.edu
| VIRTUAL TOUR | Use the blue button to open up a high-resolution, interactive virtual tour of Scripps Research's La Jolla, California campus and the surrounding area. (Larger screen recommended for best experience.) |
| STUDENT GUIDE | Click the gold button at left to view or download our Essential Scripps Graduate Student Survival Guide. The PDF features comprehensive information for new students ranging from housing and transportation to local restaurants and fun places to go. This guide was compiled by the members of the CA campus' Graduate Student Council. |
The following links offer more information about life in the San Diego area.
- Our International Services Office maintains a great webpage about Local Activities and Resources for students, postdocs and staff. In addition to lists of local attractions & events, and an events calendar, the webpage includes links to on-campus clubs and organizations.
- What's the weather like? Check out the San Diego Weather Profile
- How do you get from A to B? Regional Transportation Information
- What's for dinner? Dining options in San Diego are many and diverse. Here's a list of 38 highly rated restaurants, a page you can use to search by neighborhood, and a list of some of the hottest new restaurants in the region.
- Scripps Research is in La Jolla, a beautiful place to work and live. Learn more about what this seaside town has to offer. (includes video!)
- It would take weeks to explore everything Balboa Park has to offer. Almost 20 museums, the San Diego Zoo, theatres for plays, musicals, orchestras, ballet, and more.
- This page offers a broad overview of things to do throughout the San Diego area.
- Want to explore Los Angeles, visit Disneyland or see Santa Barbara... without driving? Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner is a great way to get around the region.
- The International Services Office also maintains a useful page with extensive regional Transportation Information
BENEFITS OVERVIEW
Learn about medical, dental and many other benefits afforded graduate students on the California campus of Scripps Research.
Have any questions or concerns? Please contact us! On the California campus, Shannon Deck can address any issues or questions: sdeck@scripps.edu
Reimbursements
Please contact Whitney Wagner with any reimbursement requests from your visit. She can be reached via email at: whitneyw@scripps.edu.
Social Media
Stay updated about our program, grad students, and educational outreach activities via our social media platforms:
TWITTER: @ScrippsGradPrgm
INSTAGRAM: @scrippsresearchgraduateprogram and @scrippsresearchoutreach
FACEBOOK: @ScrippsGradPrgm and @ScrippsResearchEducationalOutreach
YOUTUBE: Scripps Research Graduate Program and Scripps Research Educational Programs
Relocation assistance is provided to help incoming graduate students with the initial cost of moving.
Scripps Research will cover costs for airfare, train, bus, rental car, or other public means at coach fare. You can purchase your own ticket and submit for reimbursement, or use our travel agent who will bill Scripps Research directly.
Students driving to campus in their own vehicle will be reimbursed for direct mileage from their residence to the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute campus in Jupiter, FL at the current moving mileage rate of 18 cents per mile. Mileage is not reimbursable for those driving a moving van or rental car, however, gas receipts will be accepted.
Additional moving expenses for shipping of personal items will be reimbursed up to $1500.
Scripps Research will reimburse hotel costs up to six (6) nights at $200 per night, plus tax. This benefit can be used for students who are driving cross country, and for students whose apartment is not quite ready for occupancy, for example.
In addition, Scripps Research has arranged with South Florida company Keyes Realty to provide new students with the following support and services at no charge: finding housing whether you want to rent or buy and providing information about the area, including the school system.
If you have any questions about this benefit, please email Paolo Garcia at: pgarcia@scripps.edu
| VIRTUAL TOUR | Use the blue button to open up a high-resolution, interactive virtual tour of the UF Scripps Biomedical Research campus in Jupiter, Florida, and the surrounding area. (Larger screen recommended for best experience. Note that the tour was created before the campus became UF Scripps, so you may see older references to "Scripps Florida" and "Scripps Research's Jupiter campus.") |
The following links offer more information about life in the Jupiter area of South Florida.
- Our International Services Office maintains a great webpage about Local Activities and Resources for students, postdocs and staff. In addition to lists of local attractions & events, and an events calendar, the webpage includes links to on-campus clubs and organizations.
- Scripps Research is in Jupiter, a beautiful place to work and live. Learn more about what this seaside town has to offer. (includes video!)
- What's for dinner? Dining options in Jupiter and the surrounding area are many and vary widely. Here's a page you can use to search restaurants by city and/or by types of cuisine.
- Need a quick getaway? A short 15-minute drive south from Jupiter is the center of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, with no shortage of fun things to do and great places to eat.
- Explore the many things to do throughout the Palm Beach County area on this great travel tip site, this blogger's great list, and this list of attractions with a few surprises!
- Want to visit Ft. Lauderdale or Miami but don't want to drive? Travel in style and comfort on Florida's high-speed rail line: Brightline. The Miami train station is a short walk from major museums, amazing restaurants and the Miami Heat's basketball arena. Plus, they'll soon offer direct high-speed train service to Orlando and Walt Disney World!
- The International Services Office also maintains a useful page with extensive regional Transportation Information
- What's the weather like? Check out a profile of Jupiter Weather. Summers can be a bit warm and humid, but for the majority of the year, the weather in South Florida is mild and beautiful.
Other fantastic places in Florida to visit and explore include:
- Key West (~4-hour drive south) - An extraordinary island at the southernmost tip of the continental US. Definitely worth a visit (or 3!)
- St. Augustine (~3.5 hour drive north) - America's oldest city dates back to the 1500s! Fun for history buffs and anyone who likes to explore.
- Miami - 90 minute drive south
- Tampa/St. Petersburg - 3-hour drive northwest
- Orlando (Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World) - 2.5-hour drive north
BENEFITS OVERVIEW
Learn about medical, dental and many other benefits afforded graduate students who are located on the UF Scripps Biomedical Research campus in Jupiter, Florida.
Have any questions or concerns? Please contact us! On the Jupiter, Florida campus, Paolo Garcia can address any issues or questions: pgarcia@scripps.edu
Social Media
Stay updated about our program, grad students, and educational outreach activities via our social media platforms:
TWITTER: @ScrippsGradPrgm
INSTAGRAM: @scrippsresearchgraduateprogram and @scrippsresearchoutreach
FACEBOOK: @ScrippsGradPrgm and @ScrippsResearchEducationalOutreach
YOUTUBE: Scripps Research Graduate Program and Scripps Research Educational Programs
Download or view our Career and Professional Development Services flyer.
To explore in detail the many services and resources made available to graduate students via the Career and Postdoctoral Services Office, explore the Career Services section of our website.
A wide array of support services are available for graduate students. Here is just a sample:
International Services Office - The International Services Office (ISO) provides comprehensive, professional and individualized immigration and support services in a welcoming environment. ISO staff can support students in many ways, including personal, social and cultural matters; immigration expertise; travel questions; employment questions; health insurance and medical issues; support for dependents; and resources to support you on campus and in the community.
Counseling and Psychological Services - Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) teams on both campuses provide free, confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees and their family members. Non–emergency counseling by licensed professionals is available for issues ranging from job stress to major depression. Clients at CAPS are usually seen in individual counseling, couples counseling or support groups.
Ombuds Office - Scripps Research's Ombuds Office offers a safe and confidential place to discuss issues and explore possibilities for informally addressing them.
HOUSING
Our International Services Office has put together a fantastic set of Housing Pages that provide detailed information about housing options adjacent to both of our campuses. Follow the link above to learn more about:
- Neighborhoods closest to campus.
- Housing search services and websites.
- No-charge realtor services to help students find affordable housing.
- Room rental and roommate finding suggestions. The Graduate Office also invites all incoming students each year to a campus-specific Facebook group, which is moderated by staff and current students who share housing and roommate opportunities as they become available.
RELOCATION TRANSPORTATION
Relocation transportation, either by airline, train, bus or other public means, is reimbursable at coach fare. Students who plan to travel by air to San Diego or Jupiter can contact our travel agent, which will then bill Scripps Research directly.
Numerous clubs and student-run organizations exist on both campuses. For a list of groups that are open to graduate students, postdocs and staff, visit our Campus Interest Groups page, with links to detailed pages for groups on both campuses, including the Network for Women in Science (NWiS), Scientific Diversity Association, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Interest Group, Toastmasters (public speaking), ScrippsAssists (our community volunteering group), and Society of Fellows groups. (CA | FL)
In addition, graduate students have organized and run a number of other groups, including:
- Graduate Student Council
- Outdoors Club
- Indoors Club
- Biotechnology Club
- Distinguished Lecture Series (student-run program of visiting speakers)
- ...or start your own student-run club!
Both campuses offer extensive educational outreach opportunities, allowing students to develop teaching and mentoring skills while giving back to their local communities. Moreover, on our Intranet site, we maintain an interactive calendar of outreach activities and programs that allows students and postdocs to search available outreach volunteer opportunities by campus, interest, activity type, even by the type of skills volunteers can expect to gain by participating.
Here is just a sampling of outreach opportunities that graduate students may elect to volunteer for:
- High School Summer Internship Program - Mentor a high school intern in the laboratory (7-10 week time commitment)
- SURF/REU Program - Mentor an undergraduate summer intern in the laboratory (10-week commitment)
- SPAM Program - Assist undergraduates who are seeking summer research internships by helping them find the right program and assemble a competitive application. (5-month commitment)
- SMILE Program - Join a small team of other students and/or postdocs to develop and present short science lessons to K-8 students in their classroom
- LEADR Program - Lead a journal club discussion, present a short research or topical seminar, or provide hands-on instruction to groups of community college students.
- Seminars & Webinars - Present a talk to groups of middle school or high school students on scientific topics, or discuss academic and career possibilities in science.
