I think if she wanted serious rigor she could take a math class or two at Harvey Mudd (right next door)!
In terms of activist student bodies, I think a difference might be that it is likely more talk and less action in Northfield than it is in the Inland Empire. Pitzer students seem to be pretty involved in many different community engagement efforts, and I suspect that is quite a bit easier to do in a meaningful way there, vs rural MN.
Curious if she has decided yet? My DD is in the same boat with Bates and Pitzer. She also was admitted to Carleton (she definitely fits the vibe at all 3) but we are from the midwest and she wants to get out of here. We are going to both admitted students days to see if something gets her gut. Good luck!
We are also going to admitted students day at Pitzer and probably at Carleton too. And she’s created a weighted pro/con list to help her choose. At this point, I’m guessing that Pitzer will prevail, but Carleton has about a month to turn the tide. (I’m pro-Carleton myself, but I’m working hard to hold my opinions in check.)
Very laid back friend of my daughters is looking to transfer from Bates - as she feels it has more wealthy East vibe with weekend home and summer home talk and looking at Pitzer, Carleton and Kenyon -
all schools she had acceptances for freshman year. She is equally wealthy - but you would never know it. Just one opinion - we know other kids from our area that are athletes and are very happy at Bates.
This is very interesting! Thank you for sharing. My daughter absolutely loved Kenyon as well…it’s such a special place…but wrote it off with her other acceptances. The percentage of athletes does scare me a little at Bates.
That’s great! I’m trying to convince my daughter on the weighted pros and cons list. I’m completely torn in my own opinions. All I remember is touring Pitzer last summer and becoming very emotional as it felt like this was her place. Best of luck to you!
I think you need to go back to each of them and see if you can do more than the one hour tour. Sit in on a class, have lunch in the dining hall, etc. At small schools, it will become quite clear where she vibes.
My D22 and I just did this with Macalester and Kenyon. She did not connect with Macalester and it became obvious when we were having lunch with a couple of students during the busy lunch break time. On the flip side, she liked the energy at Kenyon. (Going into the trip we thought Macalester was going to be a great fit)
My DD is a student Athlete at Pitzer. She started as Environmental Science and switched to Neuroscience - 1st year seminar curriculum lets you explore and find your passion. She has classes at all the 5c’s, enjoys them immensley. She has to bust her tail for her grades, in several study groups, speaks one on one with professors. Cross campus dining is a plus, makes friends at each campus, downtown is across the street. like another poster said- “brought tears knowing she was in the right place”. Activism is take it or leave it, same with clubs. There’s always on campus events, club sports, etc and you can join any club at any of the 5c’s.
Hi there! Congratulations on your daughter’s acceptances to some great schools!
I got my undergraduate degree from Pitzer college and I have a kid attending Carleton. While I really enjoyed my time at Pitzer (and did utilize my access to the other colleges), I have been delighted to see my son fall so in love with Carleton. The sheer beauty of the campus, the incredible friendliness of students, faculty, and staff, and getting to live in a very different climate that enjoys all the seasons are only three of the countless aspects of Carleton that we just love.
To focus on your daughter’s specific interests, I’ll point out Carleton has done a lot of innovative stuff environmentally on its own campus, some of which students, including my son, have used as material for independent study. Something few colleges besides Carleton can say is they have their own wind turbine and geothermal clean energy systems which supply a significant portion of the school’s energy needs!
As you know, Pitzer has easy access to the rest of the Claremont Colleges, which is great, especially socially. But I believe Carleton has a better track record for grad schools and a better reputation for teaching quality than Pitzer. For example, my understanding is they are one of the top 10 for PhD acceptance rates while Pitzer isn’t in the top 100. Carleton is also proud to be ranked #1 for teaching quality by US News. I don’t think Pitzer is in the top 50 (though I had some terrific profs while there!)
My son has found it refreshing and academically exhilarating to be amongst kids who have such a sincere passion for learning and a willingness to work collaboratively. He’s found it a very supportive and kind atmosphere.
Pitzer and Carelton are both great schools, but it’s very hard to know what the best fit is without visiting, so I’d recommend seeing both in person. It wasn’t until my son set foot on campus that he knew Carleton was the place for him.
Congrats again!
It’s been a month (and I mean that in multiple ways!) but I wanted to check back in to say that my D22 committed to Carleton today. It was not a decision made lightly (or quickly 
), but she feels like Carleton is the right place for her.
The tipping point was talking to the XC/track coach. My daughter really liked the coach’s friendly vibe and her approach to team building, and their conversation made my daughter feel like she has a built-in supporter on campus.
The new science building and the opportunities for research in those beautiful labs and classrooms also pushed her toward Minnesota.
The trimester system – and the extra class that it affords every year – made a difference too. With nine classes/year, my D22 think there will be more space for art and music classes in addition to the nitty-gritty of STEM.
She struggled to turn down Pitzer, which felt like the safer, easier choice for a California girl, and she’s nervous about being so far from home, but the advantages of Carleton won her over. Go Carls!
Within the consortium, Pitzer has a rep of being the stoner college, whatever you want to make of that. It’s a magnet for SJ warriors.
HMC math professor I spoke to said one of his best students ever was a Pitzer. He said the student used the largely open curriculum to max out the STEM courses at the other colleges.
Carleton is more in the spirit of Pomona College but with less insane admissions. Carleton has a higher reputation in the sciences, but a great science education can be had at either. St. Olaf is a mile walk down the street. The two together host ~5000 college students in Northfield which is close to the total size of the Claremont Consortium.