Test-Free & Test-Optional Policy
Pitzer has a Test-Free admission policy through the 2026-2027 admission cycle. We plan to return to our Test-Optional policy beginning with the 2027-2028 admission cycle.
Our Testing Policy
In 2003, Pitzer became the first college on the West Coast to adopt an SAT-optional admission policy following a study that showed no direct correlation between academic success at Pitzer and standardized testing performance. In 2021, Pitzer entered a test-free pilot policy for students applying for Fall 2022 until 2025. After an extension of the original pilot program through 2026, the College has voted to return to our Test-Optional model beginning for the 2027-2028 application cycle.
Pitzer College will not use SAT or ACT scores for application evaluation from Fall 2022– 2027 and plans to return to a Test-Optional policy for students applying for entry in the Fall of 2028.
Additional English proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) may be required for International Applicants.
What We Look For
Under both our Test-Optional and Test-Free policies, Pitzer remains committed to getting to know you as a student and a person during the application process. Instead of placing an emphasis on test scores in our admission decisions, we consider a wide range of factors to see how you would contribute to and thrive within the Pitzer community. These include:
- School transcripts, curriculum rigor, & academic trends
- Academic & personal recommendation letters
- Involvement in school and community activities, leadership positions, work history, & personal interests
- Commitment to & resonance with Pitzer’s core values
For more information on Pitzer’s application requirements, please visit our Apply page.
See How to Apply
Contact Us
Have questions? We're here to help. Connect with a member of our admissions team, and we'll answer your questions about applying, visiting, and attending Pitzer one-on-one.