Diversity at Pitzer

DIVERSITY AT PITZER

Our core value of Intercultural Understanding can be seen on campus through our commitment to Diversity throughout the entire Pitzer experience. Learn about the different student-run affinity groups below, as well as our Diversity Fly-In Program for prospective applicants. Any questions about diversity at Pitzer or the program can be sent to [email protected].

Affinity Groups

Affinity Groups at Pitzer College are student organizations that promote safe spaces, solidarity, and support for marginalized students. These organizations embody intersectional and complex identities, such as, race, gender, class, sexuality, etc.

These affinity groups are defined as: low-income students, First-Generation students, Undocumented students, Black and African Diaspora students, Queer/Trans/Gender Nonconforming students, students with disabilities, Chicanx/Latinx students, Native and Indigenous students, as well as, Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (A/ANHPI) students.

Latinx Student Union (LSU)
For students who identify as Latinx/Chicanx.

Black Student Union (BSU)
For students who identify as Black, African, African American, or descendants of the African Diaspora.

Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC)
For students who identify as Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander.

First-Gen Club
For students who are the first member of their family to attend college.

Pitzer International Student Association (PISA)
For international students.

Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA)
For students who identify as Middle Eastern or North African. 

Mixed Identity Exchange (MIX)
For students who identify as bi-racial or of multiple races/ethnicities. 

We Are Living History (WALH)
For Black, Indigenous, and womxn of color.

Rainbow People Coalition (RPC)
For students who identify with the LGBTTQQIAAP community and everything in between and beyond. 

South Asian Student Association (SASA)
For students who identify as South Asian or South Asian American. 

Spoonie Alliance
For students with disabilities of any kind.

5C Resources/Mentorship Programs
Claremont Colleges-wide mentorship programs. Click to learn more.

THE FALL 2022 DIVERSITY PROGRAM

Pitzer’s Fall 2022 Diversity Program will be hosted in-person starting Sunday, October 9th through Tuesday, October 11th. If Covid-19 cases or LA County restrictions change, all applicants will be notified via email if there are any changes to the program.

Due to the highly contagious nature of Covid-19, we are asking all our visitors to adhere to Pitzer’s Admission Visit policy in order to protect our community and allow our current students to continue in-person learning this fall! Please refer to our Admission Visitor Policy for our current policies and procedures: Admission Visitor Policy

All applicants agree to adhere to the required guidelines during their visit to Pitzer College and agree to show proof of vaccination OR a negative PCR result within 72 hours, and complete the Healthy Pitzer Screening Survey upon arrival to campus.

Our Commitment

As part of our commitment to diversity and intercultural understanding, Pitzer College will host its Fall Diversity Program starting Sunday, October 9th through Tuesday, October 11th. The Diversity Program is designed specifically for high school seniors from underrepresented racial, gender, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds from across the United States, and gives students the opportunity to visit Pitzer on an all-expenses paid trip.

Meet Pitzer

The program provides prospective students an opportunity to experience the distinctive atmosphere that sets Pitzer College apart from other colleges. You will have a chance to speak with Pitzer students, attend panels with professors, and have one-on-one interactions with admission counselors!

If you are unable to attend the Diversity Program and would still like to visit Pitzer, we are happy to welcome you at another time. More information about in-person and virtual campus visits can be found on our website.

 HOW DO I APPLY?

The application for the Fall Diversity Program is live! Applications are due Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Please note: The application will require a copy of your unofficial high school transcript through the end of your junior year. You will also be asked to write one essay, and we recommend writing this essay before starting the application. This essay prompt is the same one you will find on the Common Application, and you can use the same essay for both applications. You’ll find the essay prompt below:

At Pitzer, five core values distinguish our approach to education: social responsibility, intercultural understanding, interdisciplinary learning, student engagement and environmental sustainability. As agents of change, our students utilize these values to create solutions to our world’s challenges. Please answer only ONE of the following prompts in 650 words or less.

  • Describe what you are looking for from your college experience and why Pitzer would be a good fit for you.
  • Reflecting on your involvement throughout high school or within the community, how have you engaged with one or more of Pitzer’s core values?

Apply for the Fall Diversity Program Here!

Diversity Program FAQs

Pitzer College seeks to enroll students whose backgrounds and experiences offer varying perspectives on living and learning in a multicultural world. In order to accomplish this, we offer this program to encourage students to connect and enroll at Pitzer College.

Fall 2022

Who is eligible?
High school seniors from underrepresented ethnic, gender, and cultural backgrounds who attend school in the US

How do I apply?
Please complete the online application. Additionally you will need to upload an unofficial copy of your high school transcript with your application.

How do I know if my application was received?
Once you apply online, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. If you do not receive an email, please call our office at 909.621.8129 or email our team at [email protected].

What will students do?
As a participant of the Fall Diversity Program, you will have the chance to meet with faculty, staff and student mentors. The Diversity Program is a chance to learn about all the things that make Pitzer special and have all your questions answered prior to applying in the fall.

Will the program cover the other Claremont Colleges?
While there will be some exposure to the other Claremont Colleges, this program is geared towards students who are interested specifically in Pitzer College.

Why should I apply?
The program provides students, who might not otherwise have the means to visit Pitzer, with an opportunity to experience our campus community on a fully funded trip.

Does attending the Diversity Program increase my chances of being admitted to Pitzer?
Pitzer uses a holistic admission review process, in which a variety of factors are taken into account by admission staff. Attending this program does not guarantee admission to Pitzer, while not being selected for the program does not prevent a student from gaining admission.

I cannot attend the program. Are there other opportunities to visit campus?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer other all expense-paid options outside of the Diversity Program. To discover other visit opportunities, please visit our website.

Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact a member of our Diversity Team if you have questions. They can be reached by calling our office at (909) 621-8129 or emailing [email protected].

We are excited about your interest in Pitzer College, and hope to see your application this fall!