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2021 Enrollment Options for Spring and Summer Sessions
Pitzer College has created an optional enrollment pathway for the spring 2021 semester. The 3+1 enrollment option permits students to make academic progress with a reduced course load (3 classes) during spring semester and with an additional (+1) class taken during the six-week Pitzer Summer Session and for the full tuition rate for spring semester. This optional pathway should not alter spring financial aid packages for students who receive financial aid based on full-time enrollment, although students on financial aid are encouraged to discuss their plans with the Office of Financial Aid. Students are encouraged to talk with their advisor about their academic plans, and in this case, how selecting the 3+1 enrollment option may affect their academic progress.
The 3+1 enrollment option is considered full-time enrollment and supplements Pitzer’s usual tuition and enrollment structure in which students take four classes in a single semester. Tuition costs are the same whether students take the usual spring semester course load (i.e., 4 classes) or the 3+1 option: full tuition paid for spring semester. After February 5, 2021, selection of the 3+1 enrollment option is non-revocable and tuition, including for the summer class, is non-refundable.
Students do not have to select this 3+1 option, but it is the only new alternative full-time enrollment option for spring semester. Within this 3+1 option, it is important to note that the +1 summer class must be taken as a regular class through Pitzer’s 2021 Summer Session and students cannot take an Independent Study as their summer class with this option. Graduating seniors who select the 3+1 enrollment option will be eligible for fall 2021 graduation provided they have successfully completed all of their Pitzer and major/minor requirements. Prior to official graduation, the Pitzer Registrar’s Office can provide a letter stating that the student has completed all degree requirements if such verification is required for graduate school or employment purposes.
Specific questions and answers about the 3+1 option and Pitzer’s Summer Session can be found below. In general, questions and answers on the 3+1 enrollment option are listed first and information on Summer Session appear later in the list. If students have questions about the 3+1 enrollment option, they can send them to [email protected] with the subject line “3+1 question.” Meanwhile, questions about Summer Session can be directed to Associate Dean Phil Zuckerman at [email protected] with the subject line “Summer Session question.”
Q1: How do I select the 3+1 enrollment option?
To opt into 3+1 enrollment, full-time students who have already registered must add the zero-credit course PEND031 PZ – Spring-Summer 2021 3+1 Pathway, and also ensure that they are registered in 3.0 course credits. This action must be taken no later than February 5, 2021. After adding this placeholder summer course, students will be notified that they have selected the 3+1 option. In early March, students will complete the enrollment process by registering for their Summer Session class.
Students who have yet to enroll for spring semester should register for 3.0 spring course credits and also add the zero-credit PEND031 course.
Summer Session is scheduled to run May 24 – July 2, 2021 and the current planned course schedule can be found at www.pitzer.edu/summer/course-schedule/. As always, course offerings are subject to enrollment minimums and caps, and so it is possible that some courses will not actually run or will close.
Q2: What is the deadline for selecting the 3+1 enrollment option?
The decision to take the 3+1 option must be made by February 5, 2021, which is also the last day to add/drop a class for a tuition refund or financial aid adjustment (see www.pitzer.edu/registrar/academic-calendar/), and cannot be changed after that date.
Q3: Will enrolling in 3+1 impact my financial aid for spring semester?
No, students who select the 3+1 enrollment option should not see any changes to their full-time financial aid package for spring semester. Students on financial aid are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid ([email protected]) to discuss their plans and options.
Q4: Can I change my mind after February 5 and either opt in or opt out of the 3+1 enrollment option?
No, students must decide to take the 3+1 option by February 5, 2021. After February 5, students can drop a class, but they will not be able to enroll in a summer class as part of their spring registration and tuition bill. They also are not permitted to re-add a spring semester course that they have dropped to take this option.
Students who have selected the 3+1 option can always drop their summer class, but they will not receive a refund or other financial aid adjustment.
Q5: What if I select the 3+1 option but later decide that I don’t want to take the summer class? Can I get a refund for that course?
No, the +1 summer class is non-refundable because it is technically part of spring semester tuition. In Pitzer’s current tuition structure, 3 classes is considered full-time enrollment. If the student who has selected the 3+1 enrollment option decides against enrolling in a summer class or drops their summer class, they will not receive any tuition adjustment or account refund.
Q6: Are there any other special enrollment options, such as 4+1 or 2+2?
No, at this time, the only new enrollment option is the 3+1 option. Students can create their own enrollment options, but these are subject to Pitzer’s usual approval processes and tuition and financial aid considerations. For example, students wishing to pursue a 4+1 option would register and pay tuition for 4 classes in spring semester and then pay separate tuition for their one summer class. A 2+2 option would entail enrolling half-time in spring semester and then paying tuition for two summer classes. Students should be aware that less than full-time enrollment can have implications for financial aid and academic standing.
Q7: Can I arrange an Independent Study class as my summer class in the 3+1 enrollment option?
No, the +1 summer course in this option must be a course that is offered as part of the regular Summer Session schedule. Students can take an Independent Study class during the summer, but these classes are subject to several approvals and are priced separately from Pitzer Summer Session classes; see information at www.pitzer.edu/academics/independent-study/ and www.pitzer.edu/career-services/students/academic-credit-and-the-internship-experience/. The summer independent study form is available at: www.pitzer.edu/registrar/independent-study/.
Q8: Do I have to take the 3+1 option in order to take Summer Session classes?
No. Students who take the 3+1 enrollment option will register for their one summer class in a special pre-registration period in early March. General registration for summer classes will open on March 15, 2021. The planned Summer Session course schedule can be found at www.pitzer.edu/summer/course-schedule/. As always, course offerings are subject to enrollment minimums and caps, and so it is possible that some courses will not actually run or will close. Students who plan to take a summer class(es), should select 1-2 alternative classes in case their chosen class is canceled or closed.
Q9: Can I take my summer class at a different college as part of the 3+1 option?
No, the 3+1 enrollment option requires student to take their +1 summer class in the Pitzer College Summer Session. Moreover, the student must enroll in a regular class and cannot take an Independent Study for the +1 summer class.
Q10: Can I take more than one summer class if I take the 3+1 enrollment option?
Yes. However, tuition for only one summer class is part of this special enrollment option. A student who has selected the 3+1 enrollment option who plans to take a second summer class will have to enroll in that second class in the general summer registration period and pay regular tuition for that class (currently planned at $5200/class).
Q11: I’m a senior, can I select the 3+1 enrollment option?
Yes, the 3+1 enrollment option is available to seniors. Graduating seniors who select the 3+1 enrollment option will be eligible for fall 2021 graduation provided they have successfully completed all of their Pitzer and major/minor requirements. Prior to official graduation, the Pitzer Registrar’s Office can provide a letter stating that the student has completed all degree requirements if such verification is required, such as for graduate school enrollment or employment purposes.
Q12: If I select the 3+1 option, when will I graduate?
Seniors who take Summer Session classes to complete their requirements (including those who opt for the 3+1 enrollment option) will not graduate in May but will be eligible for fall 2021 graduation provided they have successfully completed all of their Pitzer and major/minor requirements. Prior to official graduation, the Pitzer Registrar’s Office can provide a letter stating that the student has completed all degree requirements if such verification is required, such as for graduate school enrollment or employment purposes.
Q13: If I select the 3+1 option, will I be able to take part in the spring semester commencement ceremony?
Pitzer College has not yet committed to plans for a spring 2021 commencement ceremony. If a ceremony does take place, we expect that seniors who have elected to take the 3+1 enrollment option will be able to participate in the ceremony, but they will not officially graduate or receive their diploma until after fall graduation. Prior to official graduation, the Pitzer Registrar’s Office can provide a letter stating that the student has completed all degree requirements if such verification is required, such as for graduate school enrollment or employment purposes.
Q14: Will taking the 3+1 option give me priority for on-campus housing when it becomes available?
No. There is no additional benefit or penalty for selecting the 3+1 enrollment option. Summer Session classes will be online and so do not require on-campus residence.
Q15: What are the dates for the Pitzer Summer Session?
The Pitzer Summer Session is scheduled for May 24 – July 2, 2021. Nearly all classes will meet multiple days/week for this 6-week period of time. More information on the summer academic calendar can be found at www.pitzer.edu/summer/academic-calendar/.
Q16: When will I know what classes will be offered during Summer Session?
The planned Summer Session course schedule can be found at https://www.pitzer.edu/summer/course-schedule/. As always, course offerings are subject to enrollment minimums and caps, and so it is possible that some courses will not actually run or will close. Students who plan to take a summer class(es), including students taking the 3+1 option, should select 1-2 alternative classes in case their chosen class is cancelled or closed.
Q17: What is the instructional format for Summer Session classes?
The Pitzer College 2021 Summer Session classes will be offered online. Instructors will decide on the best class formats and assignments to meet the educational goals for their courses. It is likely that instructors will use a combination of asynchronous and synchronous instructional methods.
Q18: What is tuition for a summer class at Pitzer College?
Pitzer Summer Session tuition is expected to be $5200 per course. Some limited financial aid may be available for Summer Session. Students who have selected the 3+1 option will not receive a separate tuition bill for their +1 summer class because that will have been paid for with their spring semester tuition. If a student who has selected the 3+1 enrollment option decides to take two summer courses, they will be billed $5200 for the second summer class.
As always, course offerings are subject to enrollment minimums and caps, and so it is possible that some courses will not actually run or will close. Students who plan to take a summer class(es), including students taking the 3+1 option, should select 1-2 alternative classes in case their chosen class is cancelled or closed.
Q19: When can I register for Pitzer’s Summer Session?
Students who have selected the 3+1 option will be granted early registration for their +1 summer class beginning on March 1, 2021. Regular priority registration for Summer Session will begin on March 15, 2021.
Q20: Will there be on-campus housing during Pitzer’s Summer Session?
At this time, Pitzer cannot commit to offering on-campus housing to any students either in spring semester or for Summer Session. This situation could change. However, the expectation is that spring semester classes and also Summer Session classes will be offered online, and so on-campus residency will not be required. Thus, enrollment in Summer Session, either through the 3+1 option or separately, does not entitle students to campus housing or housing assistance.
Q21: How can I get additional information about the 3+1 enrollment option or Pitzer’s Summer Session?
Carefully read over this list of FAQs to be sure that the information you seek is not already included in one of the provided answers. If it isn’t, send an email to [email protected], and be sure to specify if your question concerns the 3+1 option or is about Summer Session.
