Pitzer College combines all of the intimacies of a small
school with the offerings of a large university.
As one of the five Claremont Colleges, students can share
resources, classes, facilities, and social scenes with the neighboring institutions
while retaining the tight-knit community feel of their home college. The small
population ensures that no one gets lost in a sea of faces. “It is a small school amidst five other small schools, but as a whole, the Claremont Colleges act like a larger school and give you the social and academic resources of a much larger institution,” writes a junior international relations major.
Pitzer students speak affectionately about their school, but their love for the college isn't based on conventional collegiate activities. A freshman Student Senate member says, “Pitzer's school pride is not expressed in traditional channels (sports teams, since Pitzer sports is paired with Pomona), but rather through the kind of student activism that characterizes an overwhelming majority of those who attend.”
Students say they like the intimate discussion-based classes
and the student-professor relationships they foster. “The classes are small, so professors really make it their job to not only know your name, but know something about who you are,” says a freshman studying biology who adds that “class discussions are made to be a comfortable, non-judgmental environment, so even the shyest students feel safe putting in their two cents.” Pitzer’s philosophy of academic freedom allows students to design their own
majors if they wish, and gen-eds can be filled with an array of classes that
suit individual students' interests. Though the course offerings cover a spectrum of
subjects, some students yearn for a more traditional curriculum. “Pitzer is a great school, but I wish they focused on improving academic standards more," writes a senior from Washington, DC. "There are tons of stupid hippie classes like Native American Folk Tales, but in important subjects like math and economics there is a lot of room for improvement.”
Pitzer does have a reputation for harboring hippies and
recreational druggies, but students are eager to squelch the stereotype and clarify their real experiences. “Having been at Pitzer for two years now, I'm realizing that the 'hippie' stereotype might come from Pitzer's politically active (heavily liberal) student body," writes a junior. "Though I wouldn't call Pitzer a 'hippie' school, its students are definitely socially conscious and pursue all types of community service and awareness-building activities.” Pitzer-ites are very active and aware socially, politically, and
environmentally, and almost everyone has a cause or movement to rally behind. As
for the druggie stereotype, students state that marijuana use is not uncommon on campus and that the administration doesn't seem to mind too much, but people
don’t feel pressured to take part.
Pitzer's student body is very diverse and welcoming.
Though students note that many come from upper-middle- and upper-class families,
students don’t flaunt their socioeconomic status and are very accepting of
each other. A sophomore involved in the choir notes, “There is a group or club for most minority (and some majority) groups. Racial, religious, and sexual orientations seem very well respected here.” The campus' political leaning is a hard left, and some students even say they have yet
to encounter a legitimately conservative student at Pitzer. Political
discussions are very common, as is any intellectual topic that sparks debate.
Students say it’s normal to find people having deep philosophical conversations while sunbathing by the pool.
Students stay entertained with activities and parties at
Pitzer and around the Claremont College grounds. Many get
involved in the Pitzer Outdoor Activities club or political and environmental groups, and community service is common among these socially responsible college
kids. A junior art major comments, “there are some amazing student-organized groups that put together some pretty large projects at the college. Some examples are the student garden, several music festivals, the student cafe, and human rights and environmental clubs.”
Nightlife is mainly centered around campus since the surrounding town of Claremont
has little to offer after dark. “The different colleges all sponsor parties, concerts, games, and other events, so there is ALWAYS something to do," says a sophomore. "If you're bored at Pitzer, you're not looking hard enough.” Though an array of social activities can be found in nearby LA, many students
say there’s so much to do on campus that they rarely leave. With the easygoing people, beautiful
campus, and wide range of social offerings, who could blame them?
