Pitzer College Regular Decision - Class of 2020

starkly
Sun, 27 Mar 2016 05:17:23 +0000

I’m not sure. I love the social environment at the Claremonts - there’s always something to do and someone new to meet. The resources are scaled up, as well - more libraries, dining halls (Pitzer’s has won awards for its food and during my overnight it did not disappoint), and way way more classes (2500+ I believe). To me, Pitzer has the intimacy of a LAC with the opportunities of a larger research university.

On the other hand, Oberlin is more prestigious and much better known nationally. While Pitzer’s alumni base is small and confined mostly to the West Coast, Oberlin’s grads live all over the country (though I think there is the largest concentration in NY/Boston/DC). It’s large for a LAC and has a lot of opportunities for social causes. The campus is supposed to be pretty lively socially, a lot of which is concentrated around music and the conservatory. Academically, it’s probably on average superior to Pitzer, but I would say that you also have to consider Pomona/CMC/Harvey Mudd/etc when considering classes.

I’m a little biased - I loved my overnight visit to Pitzer. The girls I stayed with were very intellectual while also having a great balance with a “college experience” of parties and the like. Two of the kids I met had turned down Berkeley, a more prestigious school, because they liked the noncompetitive atmosphere there better. I haven’t visited Oberlin yet, but I’m set for admitted students day on the 8th so I should have a clearer image then.

I hope your son makes the right choice for him! It’s definitely a hard one.