First-Year Applicants

The admission process at Pitzer College is highly personalized. The Admission Committee looks at each individual applicant to determine her/his preparation and potential for college-level work. Students will do best at Pitzer if they demonstrate strong academic ability, maturity, and independence. Your application should show the ways in which you feel you will benefit from and contribute to Pitzer. Because different people can show their strengths in different ways, the Admission Committee does not expect essays to be answered in the same way, nor do we expect students who will benefit from Pitzer to have the same background.

High School Preparation

Your best preparation for success at Pitzer is the completion of a rigorous college preparatory program. Continuing academic challenge is important, and that challenge should continue through your senior year. Your studies should include four years of English (especially courses that emphasize writing); at least three years of social and behavioral sciences; and three years each of a foreign language, laboratory science, and mathematics. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of honors and advanced placement courses offered at your school.

Admission Process

Pitzer’s admission policy for first-year students provides applicants with greater flexibility in presenting application materials that accurately reflect their diverse academic abilities and potentials. Pitzer will exempt students graduating in the top 10% of their class, or those who have an unweighted cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or higher in academic subjects (i.e., courses in the humanities, mathematics, sciences and social sciences) from having to submit any standardized tests (i.e., ACT or SAT). Applicants not falling into either one of those categories will be required to submit at least one of the following options:

• ACT scores (including writing section), or
• SAT scores, or
• Two or more Advanced Placement test scores of at least 4 (one must be in English or English Language, and one in mathematics or a natural science), or
• Two International Baccalaureate exams: one must be in English 1A and one must be in the Mathematics Methods (Standard Level or a higher-level course in mathematics), or
• Two exams: one recent junior or senior year graded, analytical writing sample from a humanities or social science course, AND one mathematics examination, preferably a final or end-of-semester exam in the most advanced mathematics course possible (at least at the algebra II level). The samples must include the teacher’s comments, grades, and the assignment.

Activities and Supplemental Essays

Extra-curricular activities are an important part of our decision process. We are looking for students that have been involved outside of class and in their community while maintaining a level of excellence in the classroom. When filling out the activities portion of the application, please be sure to include everything that you would like us to consider.
 
The essays give you an opportunity to show your writing ability and to also illustrate your passion or creativity in responding to a particular question. In an effort to get to know you and discover what you have to offer this community, the essay is invaluable. Spend some time editing your essay and it's always a good idea to have someone else check for any mistakes that you may have overlooked.

References

Comments from your teachers and college counselor are very helpful and offer us a unique insight into your academic achievements and community participation. We ask for three references: one from a school official (counselor, principal, headmaster or dean of students) and two references from teachers in math, science, social sciences or humanities; the other reference may be provided from a teacher in the visual and/or performing arts.

Transcripts

Be sure to request that your school send us an official copy of your high school transcript, complete through your junior year. The transcript must be received by the application deadline of January 15. Your first semester senior grades should also be sent to our office as soon as they become available.

Application Fee

A $50 application fee or a request for a fee waiver from a secondary school counselor is required with each application.

Options and Deadlines

Early Decision
Students who have decided after a thorough and thoughtful evaluation that Pitzer College is their choice are invited to apply as Early Decision candidates. Early Decision is a binding agreement whereby applicants agree that if they are admitted to Pitzer, they will withdraw all other applications and not initiate new ones. In addition, applicants agree not to apply Early Decision at any other institution while applying Early Decision to Pitzer.

If you wish to complete the admission process earlier and have a superior academic record, you can apply as an Early Decision candidate. Early Decision candidates must submit all required materials by November 15. We will notify early applicants of admission decisions late December.

Regular Decision
All application materials must be received by January 1. Pitzer adheres to the May 1 Candidate's Reply Date Agreement. All offers of admission are contingent upon the students' maintaining the level of academic standing upon which admission was based.

Deferring Entrance

Once admitted, students may be considered for deferral for a year to pursue non-academic goals. To hold a place, students must submit the commitment deposit by May 1, and a letter requesting deferred entrance explaining your plans for the deferral period. Deferral candidates will be reviewed and notified of the decision by the admission committee shortly after receipt of the required documents.