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College Prowler

Academics

In my experience, it has not been terribly uncommon to have my class invited to the professor’s house to give final presentations or have dinner. Pitzer professors usually let you use their first names, and classes are generally run in an informal discussion format. Pitzer also offers extremely flexible class selections, which means you’re less likely to be thrown into classes you don’t find interesting. If you’re not a math or science person, the gen ed requirements for that are pretty flexible. Just as an aside, I still e-mail some of my professors that I have not taken a class from in over a year. I have had a couple teachers that I would have to call ‘life-changing.’ A bit too much hyperbole, but you get the point.

Athletics

Sports are there for those who like to play them. We are a Division III campus, so if you played in high school, you can still play now. The great thing about it being Division III is that people play for the love of the game and not the prestige. Intramural sports are fun and anyone can join; there are various IMs for all interests.

Campus Dining

The food on campus is great compared to most colleges and universities I have visited. We have so much selection. Pitzer always has good breakfasts and great lunches. Pitzer is known on the 5Cs for its yummy sandwich bar at lunch. Dinners tend to not be as strong at Pitzer, but there are five other dining halls within easy walking distance on other campuses.

Campus Housing

I have lived in Mead since I was a first year (boy was I lucky) and have loved it ever since. While the ceiling may be cancerous, the layout of the upperclassmen dorms is especially smart for dorm life. The central living room to each suite connects to all the rooms and bathrooms. There are half suites to live in, with four people (two singles and one double), and there are full suites, which is twice as much space and twice as many people. It is wonderful for privacy and parties, and the RAs are more laid-back than in the first-year dorms. It is like one little community!

Campus Strictness

Campus Security is usually very lenient with drugs and alcohol. Most of the time, the way to go is just don’t be stupid. Don’t walk around with an open container or you’ll get busted. No one really ever gets arrested but the RAs, so sometimes you will get the smack down if you’re being ‘disobedient.’ A word of advice: don’t be stupid, and you won’t have any problems.

Computers

If possible, bring a laptop with a wireless card. The network is pretty solid on all of the 5Cs and still improving. The PC lab is usually pretty packed, but the Mac area usually has quite a bit of free space. The dorms get terrible wireless reception, so I would have an Ethernet cable on hand. Very rarely have I run into problems with the lab. Once or twice each semester it will be shut down for a few hours or so, but that’s pretty much it.

Diversity

It’s a very diverse campus. The only problem is there is not enough diversity awareness going on. Most organizations that focus on ethnic diversity are great to have as a presence on campus, but most people in social situations tend to stick in certain groups. The events on the 5Cs relating to racism and discrimination have proved that there needs to be more education about racial diversity and how to overcome and accept our differences; then we need to party together.

Drug Scene

It is easy to fall into the alcohol/drug scene, especially if you find someone to do it with you. I do not think this is unique to Pitzer, though. I think it is distinctive of college in general. It is really easy to stay away if you want.

Facilities

The facilities are nice. We have the Grove House, which is a beautiful old house where you can get yummy food and also has lots of space to hang out and study inside or outside. Also, there is a grove of oranges next to the house which are always delicious! Our student center contains an Asian restaurant, a gym, a variety of meeting rooms, and a foosball table, pool table, Ping-Pong table, lots of games that students can rent out from the front desk, and a pool. The gym is fairly small, but sufficient considering our size. Athletes that play a sport or take a PE class at Pomona have free access to Pomona’s huge gym, and other students can pay a fee to have access, as well. Most students use Pitzer’s gym, however, and find it satisfactory.

Greek Life

Pitzer has absolutely no Greek life; it’s a good thing as far as I am concerned. Parties are never exclusive, and there are lots of little suite parties.

Guys & Girls

People at Pitzer have their own style—I personally think that is hot. Don’t come to Pitzer expecting a bunch of girls and guys looking like they came out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue; they look more like they stepped out of an issue of an alternative-newsweekly or an issue of High Times. The hottest people here are the ones with crazy thrift store wardrobes and no need for mascara (unless it is purple or something) or shoes.

Local Atmosphere

The Claremont Village is about a 20-minute walk (through the Claremont McKenna and Pomona campuses) away. It has a handful of nice coffeeshops and a wonderful charm about it. Eating in the Village can be expensive, but in an affluent suburb of Los Angeles you have to expect things like that. Also, if you take a 10-minute car ride, you can head up to Mount Baldy, which is a nice way to get away from things if you need to. Definitely go to the Last Drop Café if you are in the Village. It’s tiny, but both the coffee and the service are great.

Nightlife

Social life at Pitzer is great. The set up of the Claremont consortium is such that you have small classes, but just about every week there is a 5C party where all schools come together and you socialize with many different people! Of course, there are lots of smaller gatherings if you aren’t into the big scene.

Off-Campus Dining

Around here, you can get any kind of food, it just depends on how far you want to drive. Speaking from experience, I have found that it is usually what is close, easy, and cheap that wins out unfortunately. During the semester, I am simply too busy and too broke to drive for an hour to find a nice restaurant. If I’m not getting dinner to go from the dining hall, then it is take out or something else quick.

Off-Campus Housing

I personally do not think off-campus housing is worth it. It is nice to have a little more privacy, but it is way nicer to be able to leave two minutes before your class in sweats and flip-flops and still get there on time. Besides, if you get too loud on campus, the RA comes to tell you to be quiet. In a real apartment, the police come.

Overall Experience

I love Pitzer! Though it was far from my first choice, now that I am here, I cannot imagine myself anywhere else. I have grown in incredible ways here and been able to participate in things I would have never dreamed of doing. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, and I know that when graduation day comes, I will be leaving college not only with an education, but with a deeper understanding of what my social responsibilities are and how I can contribute in helpful ways. This is something my friends from UCB, NYU, Harvard, and Cornell have not even thought about. Pitzer’s education is more than just classes, and it stays with you forever.

Parking

I did not have a car for my first two years and it was fine. I never had problems getting a ride from a friend. People are nice enough that I could often borrow a car from a pal—it’s no big deal. Now that I am a junior, I have a car. Honestly, there is not much of a difference, but It is worse trying to park in the Village.

Safety & Security

As with any college or university, Pitzer and the Claremont Colleges have their share of issues. In general, it is safe to walk around during the day or night and campus safety is a present and visual sight. There are also safety call boxes throughout campus and student escorts several nights a week if you need a ride.

Transportation

Transportation is okay, but sometimes unreliable. We are right on the county line, so the transit authority changes just to the east of the 5Cs, but it works out okay. There are two transit centers in walking distance (about a mile) and the Metrolink Train to Los Angeles as well.

Weather

It is really bloody hot for about the first four weeks of school. Half the dorms are not air conditioned. Bring lightweight clothes and a fan. However, in the winter it can get a bit chilly, and it does rain, so bring an umbrella.