Pitzer Biology Major

We're hippies, druggies, environmentalists/social activists

The druggie stereotype is not very accurate anymore. There are drug users, but I don't think that they constitute anywhere near a majority of the school. On the whole, most students are quite active, politically and socially, and I think that the environmentalist stereotype is generally rather accurate.

I love Pitzer. It's small and home-y, artsy and everyone is really friendly. Sure, the school is competitive, but the school has a vibe where everyone helps each other out and such. A lot of the buildings are white and industrial, though, and though we can paint all over the school, giving it the artsy feel, the buildings can be drab. The school is really small, but since it's part of the Claremont Colleges consortium it doesn't feel too small. If it were by itself perhaps it would be. The administration is really helpful and one of the most concerned and accessible administrations I've ever found. Some people complain that the school is not liberal enough, but when compared to other colleges the school is incredibly student-participation-oriented and much more lenient about controversial issues. It's the first college to have gender-neutral housing, you can paint a mural on any wall with an easy approval process, we have a large music festival once a year in addition to several others throughout the year, we have town hall meetings and students are involved in the tenure approval for all teachers, and I feel that issues near and dear to students hearts' are heard and factored into the administration's decisions.

Claremont is not that large, and some complain that there isn't much of a off-campus life that is easily accessible. LA is an hour away, and there are also mountains and beaches nearby. Students need cars to get to these areas, though. Car passes are cheaper than at most colleges. Usually on weekends I stay at school, considering I work a lot, though my roommate liked to visit her home.

When I tell people I go to Pitzer most often they have never heard of it. If they have, they often cite it's growing popularity and improvement in ranking, or that they've heard of the Claremont Colleges and that the colleges are very good ones. It's the youngest of the 5 schools and is not known as well as the others, though it received much publicity this past year.

Academics are great. I know numerous professors whose classes I am not in, I know most of the professors in the science department, too. We share a science department with Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College. Students spend time studying depending on what their major is and what classes they are in. I know many who study all the time, or are always working, but I also know some who don't seem to have to be working at all. I like that Pitzer students have academic and intellectual conversations outside of class, and also debate often about global issues. In the classes that I have been in, class participation is frequent. We can also take classes at any of the other five Claremont Colleges, so it is not too difficult to get into a class you want. If there is a specific class, it is important to have a good registration time. The most unique class I've taken is a new integrated and accelerated science program, which is a first year class that combines intro biology, intro chemistry, and intro physics into one class. Personally, I have liked every class that I have taken, but people I know complain about certain professors or classes. Another thing I love about Pitzer is the amount of research experience I have available to me in the science department - I don't have to wait to be a senior or grad student to be in a lab.

Pitzer is very diverse, and there are many active students on campus. It's a predominantly liberal campus, and people are more concerned about global issues and having a satisfying life helping others rather than their eventual annual earnings.

The sports team is shared with Pomona College, and though many poeple are into sports I don't feel that it is a rallying point for students. Students often leave their dorm rooms open, and I feel as though everyone is welcoming and friendly. We have several music events and once a year is Kohoutek, the largest music festival of the 5-colleges. There is no greek system. I met most of my friends from hanging out in the dorm lounge, freshmen mentor groups, classes, and through other friends. I don't drink, but find many things to do on weekends (that don't necessarily involve being at a party and watching other people drink). There are many parties, and also many events or activities. I play video games with a bunch of people at Harvey Mudd, but you can go dancing at Pomona or drinking at Claremont McKenna or hang out at the Grove House or watch a movie on the Mounds.