<p>Can anyone tell me what the experience would be like to enroll at Pitzer but to have your major at Pomona? D is interested in theater, but not likely to get in Pomona. The Claremont consortium sounds interesting, but it's tough to get a fix on what it's really like in terms of the class exchange.</p>
<p>The theatre major is a 5c major; none of the other Claremont Colleges have theatre programs, so all of the students from the Colleges would major at Pomona. As far as majoring, because it is a 5C major, all the courses would count as Pitzer courses. However, your D would still be required to complete the Pitzer Gen. Eds. </p>
<p>Remember all of the colleges are EXTREMELY different, so be sure your D has a true fit with the school before applying. Although they are tied into the Claremont Colleges, each has a unique personality. </p>
<p>If you have any other questions about Pitzer or The Claremont Colleges, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Erdnase, I’d love to hear your take on the different personalities, particularly Pitzer and Pomona.</p>
<p>Happy to. </p>
<p>I think that it starts with the mission of each school: whereas Pomona is dedicated to a very traditional liberal arts curriculum, Pitzer is dedicated to a more alternative liberal arts curriculum. Pomona has many more Gen. Ed. requirements than Pitzer. </p>
<p>Ultimately, I think that the types of students differ. Pitzer tends to pull people who are very interested in changing the world, being socially responsible and fairly progressive. This is not to say that Pomona does not pull some of the same, but it is just very distinct. It is very difficult to encapsulate the differences in words; the styles differ from the students all the way up to administration… from the landscaping to the Admissions office. </p>
<p>I’m sorry I’m just all over the place here. Some more direct questions might help me articulate the differences further. Part of my reluctance is that while there are obvious differences in the personalities, I do not want to stereotype. </p>
<p>Harvey Mudd and Claremont McKenna are easier to differentiate; Harvey Mudd is less of a liberal arts college and more of a math/science/engineering institution. They are extremely rigorous in their curriculum and a little quirky. In the same light, CMC is more of a business/economics/government institution than a liberal arts college. </p>
<p>I hope this begins to help: do not hesitate to keep asking questions. The easiest (although often expensive) way to understand the differences between the colleges is to get onto the campuses and walk around. I myself didn’t understand until I did just that.</p>
<p>Would it be fair to say that Pomona attracts more Type As and Pitzer Type Bs, or is that too much of a generalization? My D has been pretty turned off by HS academics, but I am hoping that the right college environment will help her blossom, and I think that once she can take primarily what interests her, that will happen. Her primary interest is in the arts.</p>
<p>I would say thats a generalization…there are a variety of personality types here with neither being more prevalent. As for freedom in taking what courses one wants to take, Pitzer is the place for that! There are only 7 general education courses! You only have to take 2 courses in the Social Sciences, 2 courses in the Humanities and/or Arts, 1 Course in Written Expression, 1 course in the Natural Sciences, and 1 course in “formal reasoning” (all courses in mathematics, some in econ, and some in logic). These courses can often apply to the major, and because they are simply discipline areas, not specific courses, the student has a LOT of freedome.</p>