First-Year Applicants

The admission process at Pitzer College is highly personalized. The Admission Committee looks at each applicant to determine her/his preparation and potential for college-level work. We are looking for students who 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.

Pitzer College is an exclusive user of the Common Application for first-year applicants. If you are a first-year student please click the link below to fill out the online application and all required supplements:
Online Common Application

High School Preparation

Your best preparation for success at Pitzer is the completion of a rigorous college preparatory program. Academic challenge is important and you should maintain a rigorous course schedule through your senior year. Your studies should include four years of English (especially courses that emphasize writing), at least three years each of foreign language, mathematics and social, behavioral and natural sciences. 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 who either graduate in the top 10% of their class or have an unweighted cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in academic subjects from having to submit any standardized tests (i.e. ACT or SAT). Applicants not falling into 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 A1 and one must be in mathematics (standard level or higher level), 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 factor in our decision process. We are looking for students who 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 supplemental essay gives you an opportunity to show your writing ability and illustrate your passion or creativity in responding to a particular question. Because we want to get to know you and discover what you have to offer this community, your essay is invaluable. Spend time editing your essay and remember that it is always a good idea to have someone else check for any mistakes that you may have overlooked.

Interviews

Individual interviews provide students with the opportunity both to tell us about themselves and to learn more about Pitzer from an admission counselor or admission fellow. Interviews are available for seniors only from May (end of junior year) through mid-December at selected times throughout the day, Monday through Friday. Interviews on Saturday mornings are available by appointment in the fall through mid-December. Students should try to schedule their interview in the summer or fall of their senior year for a more informative conversation.

Interviews are required of Early Decision applicants and must be completed by December 1 for ED 1 and December 15 for ED2. Interviews are recommended, but not required, for Regular Decision candidates by December 15.

Video Interviews

In addition to offering interviews on campus, students have the opportunity to submit a video free of charge through LikeLive. LikeLive is a cutting-edge, user-friendly platform created for domestic and international students who want to add another dimension to their undergraduate applications. This site allows applicants to build an on-line interview profile that can be viewed by the Pitzer admission staff.

References

Comments from your teachers and college counselor are very helpful and offer us unique insights into your academic achievements and community participation. We ask for three evaluations: one from a school official (counselor, principal, headmaster or dean of students) and two evaluations from teachers in math, science, social sciences or humanities.

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 1. Your first semester senior grades should also be sent to our office as soon as they become available.

Application Fee

A $65 application fee is required with each application.

If your family qualifies for an application fee waiver, you can download the NACAC Waiver Request Form here or request a copy from your college counselor.

Early Decision Deadlines

Students who have thoughtfully determined that Pitzer College is their first choice and who have superior academic records are invited to apply as Early Decision applicants. 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. Students applying to Pitzer ED 1 or 2 agree not to apply simultaneously to another Early Decision institution. Applications for ED 1 are due on November 15 and applications for ED 2 are due on January 1.

Click here to view complete deadline information

Deferring Entrance

Once admitted, students may be considered for deferral for a year to pursue non-academic goals. To hold a place, you must submit your commitment deposit by May 1 together with a letter requesting deferred entrance which explains 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.