<p>Opinions wanted on similarities, differences in academics, in particular creative writing and env. studies programs, student body, academic rigor, extracurriculars, political activism on campus, "green" campus/sustainability efforts.
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Honestly I do not know a lot about Pitzer College Sagehens, but I do know a lot about the Oberlin College Yeomen. Oberlin is a very liberal environment. They are an intellectual student body who enjoy their studies. The school is rigorous but not impossible or as hard as other top LACs. The student body describes themselves as talented slackers. The campus is politically aware. Not to the extreme side where they are protesting every day, but they are not apathetic.</p>
<p>yes, standard stuff.
I need more, especially on Pitzer. Thanks CD.</p>
<p>Go to Oberlin for creative writing and environmental science, both are strengths at Oberlin, less so at Pitzer.</p>
<p>Student Body: Oberlin is very liberal
Extracurriculars: Pitzer has the claremont consortium which improves social life, Oberlin is just in the middle of Ohio but there are many things to do
Political Activism: no idea</p>
<p>Both colleges are very similar in that they have very liberal students, both have a comparable campus life but Oberlin hands-down beats Pitzer in the areas of Environmental Science and Creative Writing/English so go to Oberlin!</p>
<p>Pitzer is EXTREMELY "green"/sustainable. It also has an amazing Environmental Science program, which may not be as well known or highly ranked at Oberlin but is definitely a fantastic program. I know one of their current projects is redesigning parts of the campus to resemble different California environments/ecosystems, and students are with faculty and also the campus landscaping crew for a desert themed area. They also have a garden that is student-run and go to great lengths to be as eco-friendly as possible.</p>
<p>Also, the entire first-year dorm complex is the "greenest" dorm in the country and is completely sustainable and amazingly nice. Pitzer's cafeteria is very organic and uses local foods along with a full array of vegetarian and vegan options. Vegan/vegetarian students from the other four schools frequently use Pitzer's cafeteria to take advantage of it.</p>
<p>It's also a liberal and very politically aware campus. The social scene is great because of the 5Cs, which also enhances the variety of extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Oberlin is in the middle of Ohio while Pitzer is in such a fantastic location where it is possible to ski and surf in the same day. There is so much field work going on because of the many diverse California ecosystems and not to mention Los Angeles is not too far away.</p>
<p>How about reputation upon graduation? As in jobs! Do Pitzer students tend to stay in CA? Is is well known across country? Is Pitzer a bit too Californian for a New England gal, however earthy crunchy she may be? Saw some CosmoGirl reference for Pitzer, is this a school too focused on looks/the OC thing?! another issue for us will be proximity to home. 11 hr car ride, which however long, is still doable/affordable, offers ability to head home for a weekend here and there (vs. 1 a year for CA). As far as Claremont Consortium goes, is it like 1 big campus? Students all intermingle? No one school looking down on another, etc? Keep the info coming! Thanks.</p>
<p>In an attempt to build it's reputation as a nation liberal arts college, Pitzer has been requiring its admissions to admit 50% of the incoming class from out of state. Currently, 49% come from California while the next states (in order) are New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Colorado and Washington. I met a lot of people from all over the place and you will not feel left out because your not "California" enough or anything, and besides, theres a little California in all of us! As for reputation, just a blurb from Wikipedia:</p>
<p>"The U.S.News and World Report 2008 Edition ranks Pitzer College as the 49th best national liberal arts college overall, and Pitzer College is the youngest school represented in the top 50. Among liberal arts colleges, Pitzer College ranked as the 5th most diverse top-tier private coed national liberal arts college, 25th in students studying abroad, and 35th in academic reputation."</p>
<p>I'm not sure about what students do after graduation but i'm sure most people would say in California (it is California after all). Definitely not a school too focused on looks, but being in Southern California means lots of sun and so you'll always find the OC-looking types out on the mounds tanning. However, they are always intermixed and mingling with the other kids that may not be as attractive and choose to keep their clothes on. Mostly though, Pitzer has very earthy and granola looking kids. Not to mention Harvey Mudd is right next door if your looking for a science tech type of guy and Claremont and Pomona would have your fair sure of East Coast guys. </p>
<p>The Claremont schools are next to Ontario Airport, which although is faster and cheaper than LAX does not have cross-country flights so you would have to make a flight that connects somewhere. </p>
<p>Students intermingle excessively, it really is like one big school (it definitely is one big campus). Their isn't any looking down upon by the other schools as everyones friends. It's so intermixed that if you find people to trade you can go live at say Pomona with your new best friend for your second year. Also, since you can use everyone elses resourses (with the exception of Scripps limiting dorms and their gym to females only), everyones always on everyone elses campus. People like to take advantage of the cafeterias theme nights for example and tend to follow that flow of events (for example, Pitzer has Fiesta Fridays (Latin themed) while Scripps serves Sushi on Thursdays and Harvey Mudd serves Steak on Sundays).</p>
<p>Talking with a Pitzer sophomore student, she says that although everyones mixed with everyone else socially, there is still a very tight-knit sense of community once you return to the Pitzer campus. And it's not in an OC/Gossip Girl kind of way were everyones in everyone elses drama or anything.</p>
<p>Thanks alot Fangsup!
Very helpful.</p>