Guide to Applying to Pitzer College as an International Student
Introduction
Pitzer College, located in Claremont, Canada, is a private liberal arts college. The college’s most sought after programs include social sciences, international programs, behavioral sciences, and media sciences. It is ranked 36th best National liberal arts college by the U.S. News and 22nd best liberal arts college in the U.S. by Forbes. Pitzer College offers 41 majors and 22 minors as well as 58 study abroad programs in Botswana, Nepal, Italy, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. Notable alumni include Debra Wong Yang, John Darnielle, Matt Nathanson, Max Brooks, and others. If you’re trying to get into Pitzer College, keep reading as we’ve broken down the admission process to make it easier for you to apply.
English Proficiency Test Requirements
Pitzer College requires international students whose native language is not English to submit English proficiency test scores. This will ensure that you can understand your classes and communicate with your peers. Here are the English proficiency test scores that Pitzer College currently accepts:
- 100 and above on the TOEFL iBT
- 100 and above on the TOEFL ITP
- 100 and above on the Duolingo English Test (only for the 2020-21 application cycle)
- 7 and above on the IELTS Academic
ACT/SAT Requirements
Pitzer College has a test-optional policy which means it’s not mandatory for students (except those applying to the Joint Medical Program, home-schooled applicants, and students from colleges that don’t provide grades) to submit their ACT or SAT scores. The college also doesn’t evaluate SAT Subject Test scores. If you do want to submit your ACT/SAT scores, here are the average score ranges:
Test | Score Range | Average Score Required |
ACT | 1-36 | 29-32 |
SAT | 400-1600 | 1310-1510 |
(*Pitzer College doesn’t require ACT/SAT scores of students applying to the Joint Medical Program, home-schooled applicants, and students from colleges that don’t provide grades only for the year 2021)
Tuition Fee and Cost of Living
The tuition fee and average cost of living for students applying to Pitzer College are mentioned below for reference. Always confirm the fees from the university’s official website. The cost of living may vary depending on your lifestyle and preferences.
Annual Cost | In US Dollars | In Indian Rupees |
Tuition Fee | $54,107 | ₹ 37,87,490 |
Living Expenses | $17,781 | ₹ 12,44,670 |
Total | $71,888 | ₹ 50,32,160 |
The conversion from USD to INR has been made with $1 = ₹70. The cost may vary with the varying exchange rate.
Application Portal
Pitzer College requires students to apply through the Common Application portal. The application portal can be accessed here. A comprehensive guide for international students is available here and contains information on what would be required while filling out the application.
Essay Prompts
When applying to Pitzer College, you would have to write a 650-word supplemental essay on any one of the topics below:
Option 1:
‘Reflecting on your involvement throughout high school or within the community, how have you engaged with one of Pitzer’s core values?’Â
(650 words)
Option 2:
‘Describe what you are looking for from your college experience and why Pitzer would be a good fit for you’
(650 words)
Option 3:
‘Pitzer is known for our students’ intellectual and creative activism. If you could work on a cause that is meaningful to you through a project, artistic, academic, or otherwise, what would you do?’Â
(650 words)
For students applying to the Joint Medical Program, here is the essay prompt:
‘Please discuss your interest in osteopathic medicine and what personal characteristics and experiences make you a good match for the program.’
(650 words)
The best way to stand out with your essays is to make sure your essays reflect who you are and not to make them too generic.
College Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for Pitzer College are given below. Ensure you submit your application well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
Application Deadline | Decision | |
1st Early Decision | November 15 | December 18 |
2nd Early Decision | January 1 | February 15 |
Regular Decision | January 1 | April 1 |
Conclusion
With an acceptance rate of 13%, getting into Pitzer College requires you to have an application that would stand out from the rest. You can take help from UniRely’s student mentors studying at Pitzer College and ask them what their student experience is and what they did to make their application stand out. With the right support from the right people, anything is possible including getting into Pitzer College. Sign up on UniRely for free and start talking to a student mentor.