Adventure seekers can hike in the mountains just 30+ miles from La Jolla (and occasionally experience snow) then continue on into the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for further explorations.
Sports fans can watch the San Diego Padres play major league baseball in a state-of-the-art stadium situated in downtown San Diego, then walk over to the Gaslamp Quarter to enjoy its vibrant nightlife. The San Diego Gulls compete in ice hockey and the city will soon host rugby, lacrosse and soccer teams.
La Jolla and the greater San Diego area provide numerous cultural opportunities. Balboa Park, nearly twice the size of New York’s Central Park, is home to more than a dozen museums as well as the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Theater lovers can enjoy critically acclaimed performances at the Old Globe (also in Balboa Park), the La Jolla Playhouse (close to Scripps Research) and the San Diego Repertory Theatre, among many smaller theaters throughout the city. The San Diego Symphony and San Diego Opera each present an annual season of performances. Outdoor music concerts abound, especially in the summer months.
Shiley Sports and Health Center: This 30,000-square-foot addition to Scripps Clinic is located at the north end of the campus. The center offers various programs and facilities, including a state-of-the-art strength and fitness center, an outdoor heated lap pool and all-weather track, a gymnasium and an indoor warm-water therapy pool. Classes offered include aerobics, swimming and ski fitness. Use of the facility can be arranged at no charge for graduate students.
Basketball: A basketball court is available on campus for use on a 24-hour basis.
Jogging/hiking/cycling trails: The La Jolla area provides various recreational trails for use and enjoyment by the community; most may be used free of charge. The nearby University of California, San Diego campus provides several trails for hiking and jogging. These trails include stretch stops and instructions on fitness.
Torrey Pines State Reserve: The Torrey Pines State Reserve also provides many hiking and jogging trails that lead to scenic overlooks and to the beach. This beautiful reserve is located on North Torrey Pines Road just to the north of the institute.
Graduate Student Council
The mission of the Graduate Student Council (GSC) is to support and advocate for the student body. The GSC regularly assesses student and campus climate and collaborates with the Graduate Program, FL Grad Council, and other campus leaders in order to draft policy changes, host community-building events, and raise awareness of student needs to the Executive Office.
Network for Women in Science: The mission of the Network for Women in Science on the Scripps Research La Jolla campus is to provide support, guidance and opportunity for female scientists, to create awareness of issues that affect scientific career development and success, to promote diversity at Scripps, and to make a positive difference in the culture of science for the benefit of the entire scientific community.
Biotechnology Club
The Scripps Research Biotechnology Club has the mission of lowering barriers between Scripps Research graduate students and the biotech industry. This means creating a community for students with this shared interest as well as bringing speakers to help students explore it.
Scientific Diversity Association
The goal of the Scientific Diversity Association (SDA) is to support and empower the diverse scientists at Scripps Research— both international and domestic, and at all levels—to achieve their greatest potential by serving as a hub for community, resources, advocacy, and opportunities. As an open support group among the institute’s researchers, the SDA fosters friendship and mutual respect, facilitates mentor relationships, and amplifies the voices, opinions, and suggestions of Scripps Research’s diverse communities. More broadly, the SDA seeks to realize the vision of Scripps Research as a socially responsible scientific community by promoting social responsibility in the greater San Diego area.
Toastmasters: Scripps Outstanding Speakers (SOS) Toastmasters is a group of people dedicated to improving their speaking and leadership skills in front of large and small audiences alike. The diverse backgrounds and varied careers make for lively and engaging meetings. The group meets every Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Immunology East Conference Room.
Society of Fellows: The purpose of the Society of Fellows is to encourage professional and social exchange within Scripps Research, establish and maintain a program of communication and information exchange regarding the institute for all present and former fellows and sponsor a visiting lectureship program attracting leaders in various research areas. All current fellows, graduate students, professional staff and former fellows are eligible to participate in society activities, and may join the society. Members receive discounts on items such as SOF T-shirts and tickets to SOF events. Members may also participate in the spring and fall travel award competitions sponsored by the Society of Fellows. Activities include guest speakers, luncheons, happy hours, travel awards, trade shows, placement services and more.
Scientific Meetings: The graduate program encourages all graduate students to participate in scientific meetings and workshops that can enhance their education. Requests for attendance/participation in scientific meetings must be directed to the student's research advisor. Expenses related to scientific meetings are generally shared between the graduate program and the student's advisor.
Outreach Programs: Every summer, the Office of Educational Outreach and Community Engagement invites undergraduate students to campus for a 10-week internship. This opportunity provides the interns with a chance to learn more about careers in science through one-on-one mentoring by graduate students.
Benefits for Scripps Research graduate students begin on the first day of active enrollment and terminate on the last day of the month the student is separated from the program. Coverage is available for a spouse, domestic partner (same sex), and/or children for an additional cost.
A successful apartment search usually takes several days or weeks, particularly for neighborhoods very close to Scripps Research. Rent for a room or an apartment can range from $700 to well over $1,000 per month. The San Diego Union-Tribune and the San Diego Weekly Reader classifieds are good starting places for vacancies.
Please consider the following tips for finding a place to live: Determine the amount you can afford to pay in rent. Do not forget to include renter’s insurance, cable TV/internet, and utilities such as gas, electric and water in your calculation.
Determine the amount of space you need. The more space you need or want, the more it will cost. What other features are important to you, such as pet policies, proximity to public transportation, and/or laundry facilities?
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Would you consider living with a roommate? If you are willing to share living space, you could save yourself several hundred dollars per month.
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Determine how far you are willing to commute to school. Think about the neighborhoods in which you would like to live.
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Check your credit report. You can request a credit report online from any of the three major reporting agencies. Some landlords or apartment complexes will not rent to people with low credit ratings.
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Prepare a list of names, address and phone numbers of references and past landlords.
Please consider the following resources for finding a place to live:
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Scan the apartment listings in the local newspaper.
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Check online rental web sites.
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Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the property management. Read reviews written by current and previous renters online.
