<p>I am thinking about applying to Pitzer for next year. I heard last year the admit rate was 26%. How challenging is next year going to be?</p>
<p>And why is Pitzer getting so popular right now?</p>
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why is Pitzer getting so popular right now?
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- its part of the Claremont consortium, so plenty of resources
- thanks to common app, it makes it easier for people to just apply to most of the Claremont's.
- SAT optional <a href="http://www.pitzer.edu/news_center/in_the_news/06-07-academic_year/2007_07-30_sat_nytimes.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.pitzer.edu/news_center/in_the_news/06-07-academic_year/2007_07-30_sat_nytimes.asp</a>
- New Residential Dorms- they expect Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design</p>
<p>
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How tough will it be?
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No idea, but just remember to do somethings to prepare for applying to Pitzer
1. do the interview
2. write good essays- show some passion
3. keep a strong gpa- i think our average GPA for class 2011 is 3.8</p>
<p>So you say "show some passion." What about? What are they really looking for? I have the impression that being SAT optional makes them a little easier on academics.</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, i have no idea what they are really really really looking for. But what i mean in "showing passion" is to express what you plan to major,what you will contribute to the school, and your personal growth/ epiphany. </p>
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I have the impression that being SAT optional makes them a little easier on academics.
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No way if you think SAT optional makes it easier on admission though. Have you seen Middlebury or Bowdoin which are also SAT Optional. The SAT optional makes it harder for us students to predict whether you will get in. Check our some previous threads on Pitzer. I think it was ridiculous how some people were waitlisted. This option makes it a more holistic approach like UCLA. And IMO, even if its SAT optional, personally i wouldnt take the chance of not showing them the SAT.
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=318219&highlight=pitzer%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=318219&highlight=pitzer</a></p>
<p>Thanks Madame</p>
<p>To me, "SAT optional" doesn't say "grades don't matter." Rather, it sends a loud and clear message of "MORE than grades alone matter."</p>
<p>I think (and it's mostly just guesswork) that Pitzer is especially discerning in the admissions process because they're wary of being used as a "backdoor" into other Claremont schools. Some people look at the consortium as a whole and then just try to find the easiest way in. I think the big mistake comes when students equate "the easiest way" with "lowest average [whatever]" rather than with applying to the school that's the best fit--academically, socially, atmospherically--for them. You'll read elsewhere on CC of statistically over-qualified students being rejected from Pitzer, their 'safety school,' and being bitter and surprised...completely failing to realize that the school was looking for more in its applicants than just an above-average GPA (because no school with a student body of 900 and an admission rate of 26% can possibly be viewed as a true safety...they obviously enjoy the privilege of picky-ness).</p>
<p>Pitzer has a very unique atmosphere, both within Claremont and in general. For one thing, it's listed as one of the country's top "Colleges With a Conscience." My assumption is that you'll want to be able to demonstrate academic proficiency, of course, but beyond that, you'll also want to be able to express why you're interested in Pitzer, why it's a "fit" for you, and what you could contribute to (and take away from) the campus. </p>
<p>I think this advice applies to all LAC applications, but is especially true in this case. I don't know if it's as much a case of the applicant pool getting dramatically tougher as it is one of the pool getting dramatically larger and less self-selected. Again, just guesswork.</p>
<p>That makes a lot of sense. It seems like Pitzer is a little quirky and to see a school so quirky also be so selective is cool.</p>
<p>Ehh... Pitzer really isn't this mysterious. They accept "middle of the pack" students who they think will accept their offer of admission, rather than the "best" students (stats-wise) who apply. The acceptance threads from this past admissions cycle support this, i.e. students accepted at more selective schools did not get into Pitzer. Unfortunately, a great deal of the students are not in love with academics, so if academic engagement is important to you, steer clear of this school.</p>
<p>That said, if you're still interested, Pitzer likes students with some history of community service work. If you've done any kind of study abroad or cross-cultural program, list that prominently. Maybe even consider writing your essay about it.
Regarding the SAT, Pitzer's president Laura Skandera Trombley did an interview... approximately one year ago (or it might have been in last year's commencement speech), and she talked about how Pitzer views the SAT. It's informative, not entirely accurate, but informative.</p>
<p>Finally, do try to visit before you commit to Pitzer. For more than one day, if you can. I'm actually transferring from Pitzer to another college, and... while more visit time probably wouldn't have helped in my case, the visit did stongly influence my decision to go there. Lastly, if you take issue with a prevalent drug culture, stay very far away.</p>
<p>I agree with most of GerberDaisy's post, but I take some issue with "Unfortunately, a great deal of the students are not in love with academics, so if academic engagement is important to you, steer clear of this school." Granted, I'm not a Pitzer student, but between the numerous Pitzer students that I know and the 5+ courses I've taken there, my personal experience has been different enough to warrant clarification. </p>
<p>On the whole (and of course these are vast generalizations), I've found Pitzer students to be less concerned with the minutiae of academics: less worried than most about test scores and deadlines and citation styles. But I've also found them to be far more engaged learners: more involved than most in classroom discussion, very good at relating classroom topics to everyday life, exceptionally passionate about certain topics, and often absolutely obsessed with the "Why?" of everything. </p>
<p>I would say that Pitzer classes tend to have a unique atmosphere, and it's different from that of many courses elsewhere in Claremont. I don't think it's an atmosphere that's going to be loved by all types of students, especially those who match the stereotype of "super academic"--the compulsive hand-raisers in the front and center, or what have you. So to say that many students have a unique, and in some ways non-traditional attitude toward school is definitely fair, but to imply a lack of academic engagement is, I think, misleading.</p>
<p>It's also worth noting that my experiences with Pitzer professors (and again, it's been a limited but still notable experience) has been outstanding. And interestingly, it's mirrored my experience with Pitzer students. There's been less concern with a strict rubric, point system, or essay margins and word-count, and there's often been a great deal of flexibility in homework, projects, due-dates, and discussions (I'll never forget the professor who, when asked about the due-date for our second paper, blew out his breath, thought for a bit, and said "Eh...later"). But these professors' dedication to teaching, in absence of this minutiae, stood out as totally exceptional, even among LACs. My Pitzer profs, without single exception, bent over backwards to help out interested students, not just opening their doors for office hours, but leaving personal invitations on graded homework: "We didn't get to discuss this much in class and you seem really interested...feel free to come to my office if you want to learn a little more!" </p>
<p>And finally, as always, it's important to remember that the rest of the consortium exists, along with cross-registration :)</p>
<p>Anyway, like I said, I do think there's some validity to GerberDaisy's claim about academics at Pitzer. Students should definitely attend the school with a good idea of what they're getting into (same is true everywhere, but schools known for their quirkiness should be doubly-checked). But I think a little elaboration on this particular point was necessary :)</p>
<p>Student615 nailed it. While Pitzer is not very competitive in the classroom, there is a love of learning and a desire to dive deep into a subject. Students here are incredibly intelligent and very up to date on the world, but they are not concerned (for the most part) about being #1 in the class. And the professors are amazing people who go out of their way to be helpful.</p>
<p>Keep an eye out for some amazing programs and initiatives coming from Pitzer in the next 2-3 years.</p>
<p>Pitzer has once again moved up on the US News Ranking to 49
I only expect more growth in the coming years</p>
<p>I've said it before and I'll say it again: Trombley. Since Pres. T began at Pitzer 5 years ago, Pitzer's ranking jumped from 70 to 49. It's almost certainly going to jump significantly next year too because the current ranking is based on, among other things, the 37% acceptance rate, and next year's will be based on (among other things) the 26% rate.</p>
<p>Can you elaborate on the predominte drug culture ?</p>
<p>Does anyone know the acceptance rate for last year's newly added Early Decision ?</p>
<p>Re: The Drug Culture. They did a study a few years back at all the Claremont Colleges and no one college was found to have more usage of drugs than another. While Pitzer may be a bit more open about it, it is not as big a deal as people would think.</p>
<p>Re: Early Decision. Last year Pitzer received 94 applications for ED and they offered admission to 51 of them. I would expect this year that they will get more applications but I don't know about the acceptance rate. However, they have pledged to never take more than 1/3 of the class from ED.</p>
<p>Explanation of prominent drug culture:</p>
<p>I had to stuff a towel underneath my door every single night of my freshman year to keep from smelling the massive amount of marijuana that was being smoked in my hallway. Every single night. Calls to RAs did not solve the problem because the RAs are told that if they smell pot, they are NOT supposed to knock on every door to find out where it's coming from. I should know, my friend went through the training and told me. They ARE supposed to respond to noise complaints, which usually come with drugs and alcohol. Similar complaints (note: plural) to the hall director also had no effect.</p>
<p>It was an oppressive environment to live in, and frankly, disgusting. Many peers in Pitzer classes (esp. first year seminars) came to class completely stoned, which went unnoticed as well (regardless of the occasional random questions like, "Duudde, what's going ON!? ...Where AM I..?" from the affected parties).</p>
<p>Pitzer basically has a "don't ask, don't tell" drug policy, and students get away with pretty much everything they want, even when they are reported. This is equally a reflection of the administration (besides the student body), and it was the administration's lack of action on this (but mostly other issues) that influenced my decision to transfer.</p>
<p>Finally, I've heard about the "study" littlebopeep referred to. It is often brought up by administrators and RAs (speaking from experience) as a rationale for Pitzer's complete lack of rule enforcement. I've found that such surveys are often skewed. Even with the promise of anonymity, other studies conducted (using larger samples from the 18-24 age group) show that MANY people at this age are apt to lie about their use of illegal substances. As for "no more usage of drugs than another", that statement just says that there is equal drug use at the other colleges--not that there is less overall.</p>
<p>I leave you with two final thoughts relating to the drug culture at Pitzer College: during room draw this past spring, substance free housing in Mead (upperclass, desirable dorm) and Holden filled up LAST of all the spaces on campus. There were still open slots near/at the end of the draw.
And as I walked down my hallway to the door after packing up my freshman dorm room, I discovered two half-smoked joints abandoned on the floor. Res ipsa loquitur.</p>
<p>Gerber, you may hear this anywhere, but you are going to find drugs at college. While Pitzer may embrace this culture a bit more than others, the usage is no higher than other schools. And if the usage is the same at all the schools, this means that the perception that Pitzer has a higher amount of usage is false.</p>
<p>And don't think that substance-free housing goes quickly at any college. There is certainly a reputation of those dorms at all schools.</p>
<p>GerberDaisy mentioned Pitzer accepting "middle of the pack" students. What does that mean? I assume it refers to GPA and SAT scores, where the scoring systems favor math and science students. I do not know about other high schools, but I know my daughter's high school offered honors and AP classes only in math, science, english and spanish; not history, theatre, music, sociology, or other languages. If your focus is math and science you can boost your GPA. If your focus is humanities your GPA is always going to suffer in comparison. The SAT is much the same, heavily weighted to math. </p>
<p>So, Pitzer is a humanities school. It is not going to attract a lot of math and science types. Therefore, the average GPA and SAT are going to be lower than in heavy science and math schools. To conclude from this that it attracts middle of the pack students is probably not accurate. If your focus is humanities you are going to be evaluated based on something other than your SAT and GPA, and Pitzer is obviously going to be quite selective.</p>
<p>Although Pitzer does have strong humanities, the science departments are very good as well. The psychology major is very popular and competitive as is their combined BA/DO degree. I've actually heard the school described as a "behavioral science school" .</p>
<p>So far i am taking 4 classes- bio, chem, psych, and my writing seminar. Definately psych, in my opinion, is one of the forte's of pitzer. So far both of my bio and chem classes are at CMC, but mainly all science classes are run by the joint science department which is very strong and competitive. Also i have run into quite a few "premeds" at pitzer, suprisingly, so i definately assume pitzer did get the attention of some science major students.</p>