<p>Senior (Public high school)
Location: California
About me: African American, first-generation college student
GPA: 4.86 (weighted junior year second semester) 4.6 cumulative, I’ve maintained a 4.0 unweighted
Class rank: Top 4% in approximately 433 students
Course Load:
Sophomore year: 5 honors courses
Junior Year: 3 AP courses, 2 honors courses
Senior year: 5 AP courses, 1 honors
Essays: Great so far (I'm still working on them)
Teacher Recommendations: Great!
Major: Undeclared</p>
<p>EC’s
About 70 hours
Volunteering at my local library
Part of a club council, participated in mock trial (for almost 3 years)
Part of an advanced honor roll program (received the award consecutively for 6 semesters)
Featured in local newspaper for achievements
Finalist in a local competition for hypothetical policy implementation (law drafting)</p>
<p>I understand that Pitzer is test optional, can anyone explain how that system works? Would I need to report my scores on the Common App, but not send in the official ones?
Also, are first semester senior grades used to determine admissions?</p>
<p>Statistically, I think you’ll get it- just make sure Pitzer is for you, because it’s really not for everyone (very hippie-like, for lack of better word). Pitzer admissions can easily see who is a good fit because of their uniqueness. They’re looking for the activist types.</p>
<p>From what I can tell by your stats and extracurriculars, you sound in line with what Pitzer is looking for.</p>
<p>As to your other questions: for test-optional, as long as you are above a 3.5 unweighted GPA or are in the top 10% of your class, you are exempt from sending test scores in any form. However, Pitzer will look at what you send them, so if you are particularly proud of your scores then feel free to send them along. </p>
<p>Considering that Pitzer does request that students send in their Senior grades as soon as they are available, one must assume they use them for determining admission. </p>
<p>As for teacher recs, Pitzer will accept more than 2, but I wouldn’t unless they are absolutely essential. In the case of college apps, more is not necessarily better. Finally, I would contest benaiir’s assumption that Pitzer is very “hippie-like.” While that sub-group exists, and is certainly reflected in the school’s history, it is not an apt descriptor of the entire student body. Pitzer wants students who want to change the world, in whatever field or way that might be.</p>