<p>You do only have to apply to one. However getting into 1 doesnt give you free access to all. You have certain restrictions on the number of classes you have to take on your campus. So dont go to Pitzer just because you wanted to go to Pomona but didnt get in.</p>
<p>I’m reading your question differently, so pardon me if this is a misinterpretation (or if things have changed drastically since I applied)…</p>
<p>You don’t have to apply to all five schools just to go to one. You DO have to apply separately to every one in which you are interested…it’s not like the UCs, for example, where you do a single application and just check boxes for each campus that you like. If you’re interested in Pitzer, CMC, and Scripps, you will have to apply to each one individually. Each will have its own essays, each has its own admissions department, and each will make a completely and totally separate decision.</p>
<p>I believe that the schools are on the common app, but I didn’t use it myself and so am not positive.</p>
<p>The schools are very cooperative and do share a great number of resources/amenities, but they’re distinct institutions.</p>