<p>I have been thinking about applying to Pitzer College but I don't know if it is the right school for me, so I might not even apply. Can someone who attends Pitzer please clear up any misconceptions that people have about the college so that I can decide on whether I should apply. I have heard that there is rampant drug use at Pitzer and I do not use drugs nor do I drink. Second, its reputation as a hippie school scares me away. I just need to know if Pitzer's environment would be right for me.</p>
<p>As a parent, I am not there and don’t have personal experience to help you; but I will say that my daughter is not a druggie, is a serious student, and loves Pitzer. I am also happy with her choice.</p>
<p>What is it about Pitzer that draws you in?</p>
<p>Two daughters of close friends of mine graduated from there. Loved Pitzer, not druggies. Not hippies either. But, some are pickier than others. It’s a fine school, they got a great education and are doing well. Also got some very nice merit money, both of them.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t label it as hippie as much as I would hipster. Definitely not as druggie as some stereotypes like to suggest. Academics are good except for certain areas like computer science and maybe not good for those who are techies,</p>
<p>I didn’t know Pitzer gave merit money.</p>
<p>As a graduate of Pitzer, I can say that I was by no means a druggie and was a involved and fairly serious student. I think that there is a liberal culture at Pitzer (especially in terms of political views), but one can still do well if they find themselves more right-leaning. For drug use, there were obviously students that chose to partake (as their are on any college campus), however it was no more than any other of the Claremont colleges. There are many students who are substance-free and thrive at the College. </p>
<p>The stereotyping of Pitzer comes from its earlier days, as it is a child of the 60s. However, while many of the values remain the same (social change, social justice, environmental responsibility and ethics), the drug culture is a small part of the social scene. </p>
<p>Finally, Pitzer to answer Jonathan’s query, Pitzer does give a small amount of merit money through the Trustee Community Scholarship–about $10,000, renewable for all 4 years, if I remember correctly. However, there is no application process for this scholarship…students are selected through the regular admission process and are notified about their selection for the scholarship in their acceptance letter. </p>
<p>I hope that this clears up some of the lingering questions in the thread. If there’s anything else I can answer about Pitzer, let me know!</p>
<p>How are you associating drug use with being liberal? Isn’t that Ron Paul’s deal?</p>