Exchange Students
Pitzer College Exchange Program
Pitzer College partners with institutions that share a commitment to promoting and expanding international understanding, development, and friendship, as well as to stimulating and supporting educational, professional and intercultural activities and projects. Exchanges are a concrete way of demonstrating Pitzer’s core values. Our international students also enhance the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Pitzer community.
International and domestic students can study at Pitzer for a semester or a full year on exchange according to the exchange agreement with each college or university. Review the list of international and domestic exchange partners. Direct enrollment is not available. Learn more about the exchange program application process by reviewing the information in the tabs below.
About Pitzer College & Claremont
Pitzer is part of The Claremont Colleges, a unique consortium of seven academic institutions. You'll have the resources of a large university while enjoying the class sizes of a small liberal arts college. Learn more about Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges.
Claremont is a beautiful, safe, and sophisticated suburban community about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Its restaurants, art galleries, lush parks, and shops are only a short walk from The Claremont Colleges. Hiking and skiing are available at nearby Mount Baldy. Malibu, Laguna Beach, Palm Springs, and the cultural, educational, social, and entertainment centers of greater Los Angeles and Hollywood are an hour away, including such attractions as Disneyland, the LA Lakers, Beverly Hills, UCLA, and Universal Studios. Claremont has a sunny Mediterranean climate year round with occasional rain in the winter.
Academic Life
Diversity and intercultural understanding are woven into the fabric of the College’s curriculum and community, with students coming to Pitzer from across the United States and throughout the world. Academic interchange among the undergraduate Colleges and Claremont Graduate University provides opportunities for curricular enrichment and active membership in the wider community of The Claremont Colleges. Under the guidance of a personal academic adviser, a student can register for classes in any of the Claremont Undergraduate Colleges, choosing 3 to 5 classes from a total of approximately 1,000 classes offered every year. Learn more by visiting the tabs below.
Student Life
All exchange students are guaranteed placement in student housing. Students will typically be placed in a double room with a roommate from a different cultural background. Please visit the Living at Pitzer page for more information on student housing, dining, and on-campus facilities. Additional details about campus life are in the tabs below.
Additional Details
Exchange Program Application Process
Interested in spending a semester or academic year at Pitzer College? Below is information about the application process.
Step 1: Check with your home institution's study abroad, exchange, or mobility office to see if your institution is an exchange partner with Pitzer College.
Step 2: Notify your home institution of your interest in participating in the exchange program with Pitzer College and complete their approval process. Once you are approved by your home institution, they will nominate you for the exchange.
Step 3: After we receive the nomination from your home institution's study abroad, exchange, or mobility office, we will send you a link to the Pitzer College Student Exchange Application. Complete the exchange student application by the deadline. *Please only complete the application provided to you by our office, do not complete the Common Application or any other application.
Once you have been nominated and accepted as an exchange student you will work directly with the Pitzer International Programs Office to prepare for your exchange program at Pitzer.
Application Instructions
Once you receive the link to the Pitzer College Student Exchange Application, you should be prepared to supply the following:
- Transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted, as long as they show coursework and grades)
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Course Plan at Pitzer
- Passport information and copy
- Short essays
- For students requiring an I-20/visa: Statement of Financial Responsibility showing evidence of sufficient funds to cover expenses in the United States, which are not covered by the exchange agreement between Pitzer and their home institution.
Exchange Admissions Requirements
Student must meet the minimum GPA
2.0 on U.S 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
Students must demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways:
- Be a native speaker of English
- Have completed 4 years of high school whose primary language of instruction is English
- Have an original and official IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test report with a minimum score of 100 (New Internet-based TOEFL), 250 (Computer-based TOEFL), 7.0 (IELTS), or 130 (Duolingo)
- Take the Pitzer English Language Proficiency Test administered through your university as part of the application process and achieve a minimum score of 70. Students with a 70 TOEFL IBT, 6.5 IELTS, or 115 DuoLingo are still eligible with the home institution’s nomination, but these students may be required to take a two course sequence each semester. Required classes are part of Pitzer’s International Scholars Program and focus on oral participation, U.S. history and culture, and academic writing.
Students who are below this level of English proficiency may be strongly recommended or required to enroll in one or more English for Academic Purposes courses offered through Pitzer’s Department of Modern Language, Literature & Culture (MLLC). Please visit the International Scholars webpage for more information on these courses.
At Pitzer we embrace a holistic approach to education rooted in Interdisciplinary Learning, Environmental Sustainability, Student Engagement, Intercultural Understanding, and Social Responsibility. Pitzer offers more than 39 majors and 20+ minors in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies.
As part of The Claremont Colleges – you will have access to courses offered at Pitzer and to courses offered at the other consortium colleges. This provides all the resources of a major university while enjoying the benefits of a small traditional residential college.
Academic Calendar
Fall 2025 Semester Dates:
August 25, 2025 – December 13, 2025
Spring 2026 Semester Dates:
January 20, 2026 – May 16, 2026
Refer to the 2025-26 Academic Calendar for additional dates. *Note: These dates do not include the mandatory Exchange Orientation. Orientation information will be provided to exchange students after they are accepted into the program.
Course Options
At Pitzer most courses are worth 1 credit (equivalent to 60 hours or 4 U.S. semester credits), but some are worth 0.5 credits (equivalent to 30 hours or 2 U.S. semester credits). Typically students on the exchange program take between 3-5 courses each semester. You will meet with an advisor during orientation who will assist you in choosing courses and enrolling in classes while on the exchange program.
Helpful Links
The Claremont Colleges Library
Orientation
Your exchange program will begin with an orientation to all things Pitzer and Claremont. Orientation is your opportunity to get settled before classes begin, to connect with the other domestic and international exchange students, to explore your new home, and to learn important information about the semester. Also at orientation you will register for classes with the help of an advisor and complete needed forms essential to your participation in the program. Details about orientation will be provided to students after they are accepted into the exchange program.
Living At Pitzer
Housing is guaranteed for students on the exchange program. As a student living at Pitzer, you'll enjoy a host of amenities in an atmosphere that is collaborative and community-oriented. Our housing is sustainable and comfortable, our dining hall is voted the best of The Claremont Colleges! Learn more by visiting the links below:
Student Life
While at Pitzer you will have the opportunity to join one or more of the hundreds of student-run clubs and organizations. Clubs are centered on a variety of interests. Whether you are interested in exploring new interests, volunteering in the local community, or connecting with people who share an identity with yourself, you can be sure to find a club that will interest you. To see what clubs and organizations are available for you to join, please visit the following page.