Pitzer College requires prospective first-year students to submit scores from one or more of the following: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); American College Test (ACT ), including the writing section; International Baccalaureate exams in English 1A and Mathematics Methods; or two Advanced Placement test scores, one in English and another in math or a natural science. Candidates can also choose to submit two high school exams. One must be an analytical writing sample from a humanities or social science class; the other must be a math exam. Both must include the assignment prompt, as well as the grade earned and teacher commentary. The college waives the standardized test requirement for students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class, as well as for those who have an unweighted grade-point average of at least 3.50 in academic subjects. These students, however, can also submit standardized test scores if they wish. Students whose native language is something other than English must also score at least 95 on the Internet-based (ITB) or 240 on the computer-based (CBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit the results to Pitzer. Candidates who fall short in English proficiency but meet all of the other requirements are offered admission if they score a least 70 IBT or 190 CBT on the TOEFL.
Students applying for first-year admission straight out of high school should have completed four years of English, with preference given to writing-intensive courses, as well as a minimum of three years of social and behavioral sciences and three years each of math, lab science and a foreign language. Transfer candidates must have completed no less than 16 semester units or 24 quarter units in academic subjects in addition to an English composition sequence.
In order to get to know prospective students more personally and to assess their writing abilities, Pitzer College requires applicants to submit an essay that responds to a prompt presented in the form of a question. Transfer and New Resource applicants must submit two essays.
In the eyes of Pitzer College's admissions officers, extracurricular activities carry a lot of weight. The college expects prospective students, especially those applying for first-year admission, to demonstrate substantial and meaningful community involvement.
Pitzer College requires an interview for first-year students who are applying for Early Decision. The college conducts interviews on campus as well as in Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Seattle, Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area. Phone and Skype interviews are also allowed. Alternatively, students can opt to submit a video via MYCOLLEGEi (see Resources). Interviews are also required of candidates applying for admission through the New Resources program.
First-year applicants must submit three references. One must come from a school official, such as a counselor or principal. The other two must be written by teachers in math, science, social sciences or the humanities. Transfer students must also submit three evaluations: one from a college official and two from professors. Of the latter, one must come from a professor in one of the aforementioned subject areas. Candidates for the New Resources program must submit two recommendation letters from professors or employers.
First-year candidates must submit an official high school transcript, junior year grades included, with their application and send in senior year grades once those are available. Transfer candidates and New Resources applicants must submit their college transcripts. Prospective transfer students who have completed 32 semester units or 48 quarter units in academic subjects at the college level need not submit high school grades or test scores.