Pitzer as safety for Pomona?

[Anonymous]

My junior loved Pomona and the idea of the 5c consortium. He has the stats to be competitive, but of course nothing is certain. Is Pitzer a reasonable back up choice?

He's interested in a stem field and may also apply to Harvey Mudd, but also wants the greater choices at Pomona.

[Anonymous]

Pitzer has a much higher acceptance rate than Pomona-17%!as compared to 7% or so. Might want to ED1 at Pomona and ED2 at Pitzer for best chances.

[Anonymous]

Pomona and Pitzer are pretty different. Among LACs, Pomona has one of the highest STEM major rates at about 40%, while Pitzer has one of the lowest at about 10%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pomona and Pitzer are pretty different. Among LACs, Pomona has one of the highest STEM major rates at about 40%, while Pitzer has one of the lowest at about 10%.

They are not the same school but they are not worlds apart-- my Pomona humanities kid took multiple classes at Pitzer (some of his favorite classes in fact).

[Anonymous]

Just as a point of clarification, nobody should use the word "safety" when talking about a 17% admit rate school. I mean, probably best if moved away from "safety" in general, because of how imprecise it is, but definitely in this case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pomona and Pitzer are pretty different. Among LACs, Pomona has one of the highest STEM major rates at about 40%, while Pitzer has one of the lowest at about 10%.

They are not the same school but they are not worlds apart-- my Pomona humanities kid took multiple classes at Pitzer (some of his favorite classes in fact).

OP mentioned interest in STEM. Some Pomona classes might have priority enrollment for Pomona students making registering hard, particularly in CS. Also some STEM students like to form study groups or talk STEM in the dorms, which could be harder if at Pitzer with 1/4 the STEM major rate. So yes cross registering can happen, but OPs kid might have a better experience looking at entirely different LACs known for STEM rather than trying to backdoor into Pomona via Pitzer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just as a point of clarification, nobody should use the word "safety" when talking about a 17% admit rate school. I mean, probably best if moved away from "safety" in general, because of how imprecise it is, but definitely in this case.

Exactly. Also check on whether anyone from your HS school has attended recently. If your not on Pitzer's radar, slightly higher stats probably won't turn their head, not when they already reject so many. Needless to say they already get apps from people willing to take any 5C.

[Anonymous]

Pitzer might be equal to or better than Pomona for the study of certain academic fields, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, English literature and environmental studies. However, for physical sciences and mathematics, Pitzer wouldn't, in my opinion, represent a good alternative to Pomona.

[Anonymous]

Pitzer is more interdisciplinary in nature and focuses on social justice and sustainability as part of their core values. Pomona more straight up liberal arts akin to Williams, Amherst and Swat (WASP).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pomona and Pitzer are pretty different. Among LACs, Pomona has one of the highest STEM major rates at about 40%, while Pitzer has one of the lowest at about 10%.

They are not the same school but they are not worlds apart-- my Pomona humanities kid took multiple classes at Pitzer (some of his favorite classes in fact).

OP mentioned interest in STEM. Some Pomona classes might have priority enrollment for Pomona students making registering hard, particularly in CS. Also some STEM students like to form study groups or talk STEM in the dorms, which could be harder if at Pitzer with 1/4 the STEM major rate. So yes cross registering can happen, but OPs kid might have a better experience looking at entirely different LACs known for STEM rather than trying to backdoor into Pomona via Pitzer.

I will say that it is only CS where this is a major concern. Lower div physics, bio, and chem are equally rigorous across all the 5Cs, other than Mudd physics, and there’s always space in intro math courses for pz students (Calc 3, Linear, Diff Eq). Upper div math isn’t easy to enter, physics always has open space, chem/bio open up with the choice of courses.

I just think the student bodies are VERY different. Most Pomona people wouldn’t go to pitzer- not because of prestige, but the environment and population are completely different.

[Anonymous]

cmc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:cmc?

Are you asking if CMC is a good safety for Pomona? CMC acceptance rate is around 10%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:cmc?

Are you asking if CMC is a good safety for Pomona? CMC acceptance rate is around 10%.

Also completely different vibe and major interest. It's a great alternative (and better) for philosophy, government, and economics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pitzer has a much higher acceptance rate than Pomona-17%!as compared to 7% or so. Might want to ED1 at Pomona and ED2 at Pitzer for best chances.

+1

I think Pitzer takes a lot of their class ED - they have a 33% ED acceptance rate vs. 14% regular decision. Would ED2 there since Pomona RD is very unlikely.

[Anonymous]

If you are a serious contender academically for Pomona, I dont see how you would want to settle for Pitzer. I don't think the academics/student body is well regarded and i think of the student body as more activist vs intellectual (pomona). Maybe look at cmc if kid is pre professional type.