Transferring to the Claremont Colleges offers both challenges and opportunities for students searching for the right academic and social fit. While they navigate obstacles like transferring credits and building connections, transfer students approach this new chapter with resilience and a commitment to making their new campus feel like home.
Calais Poirson PZ ’26
Calais Poirson PZ ’26 transferred from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, in hopes of finding a school with a better environmental science program and more opportunities to spend time outside.
After touring Pitzer College, Poirson said she resonated with the school’s social environment and academic programs.
“Pitzer felt like the right balance between big and small,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of a campus culture that had lots of different vibes, which I think that the 5Cs bring.”
However, upon arriving on campus in August, Poirson said she felt that the academic assistance for transfer students was somewhat lacking, noting that she has an advisor who doesn’t know much about her major.
Nonetheless, she acknowledged the potential difficulty that administrators can face in supporting transfer students, given their unique academic and social position.
“It’s not an easy thing to support somebody who has already been to college once, because I don’t feel like I need the resources that a freshman needs, but I need [some] social support,” she said.
Despite the roadblocks, Poirson said that, over time, she feels she is adjusting to Pitzer’s environment.
“My experience overall has been pretty good,” she said. “I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of things, but I’m definitely taking it pretty slow and doing my own thing.”
Alex Knight, CM ’27
For Alex Knight CM ’27, transferring to Claremont McKenna College meant attending a school that better aligned with his social and academic pursuits.
Knight transferred to CMC during the spring semester of his freshman year following one semester at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He recalled the small, isolated nature of Carleton, citing the cold weather and the school’s social dynamics as reasons for transferring.
“Carleton was this eclectic mix of kids, all of whom were very smart, but there was no sort of cohesion at all,” Knight said.
Upon arriving at CMC, he said he quickly found the campus culture to be much more inviting.
“My immediate impressions were that everyone was so much nicer,” he said. “Everyone seems really, really happy.”
He also included some advice to future transfer students, suggesting getting involved with the campus community quickly.
“I think you have to approach everything with a really open mindset,” Knight said. “It’s [about] really just putting yourself out there in every way that you can [and] prioritizing your happiness and the relationships that you build.”
William Huh PO ’26
William Huh PO ’26 is a second-semester sophomore at Pomona College. Coming from Santa Monica College, a large, commuting school, Huh said he cherishes the closely-knit residential community and academic environment that Pomona offers.
“Everybody lives in the dorms, you get to interact with people in small class sizes, and getting to know everybody seems really fun,” he said.
While Huh said he was glad that he could transfer a lot of credits from his former college, he explained certain difficulties in trying to navigate course registration.
“I wish someone were there to help transfer students on that morning [of registration], it was stressful,” Huh said. “The school could also be a little clearer on how former classes can count towards my major.”
Huh also mentioned that since many opportunities are restricted to freshmen and sophomores, transfer students can face limitations in their opportunities and time at Pomona, which adds extra pressure to the transfer experience.
“Pomona students are so lucky, as there’s so many things you can do here for four years,” Huh said. “When you come in with two years as a transfer, it feels a little rushed. So you’re kind of like, ‘Oh, let me join five clubs, oh, I have to get the right classes,’ et cetera.”
Aside from all the uncertainties, Huh has found a home in the transfer community and the third floor of Smiley Hall, where the majority of transfer students are placed. A tight space, a friendly air and a common hope for inclusion bond them together.
Jerry Li HM ’25
Jerry Li HM ’25 reflected on the bittersweet journey of transferring to Harvey Mudd College from Pasadena City College.
“I heard that I can take courses from all other 5Cs, that’s one of the advantages,” Li said. “Also, it’s a small college, so it’s much easier to establish a close relationship with your professors.”
While Li enjoyed the orientation alongside freshmen, he often struggled to connect with his own cohort. However, he mentioned that there is action being taken through the implementation of social events connecting new transfer students to their transfer upperclassmen, as well as meetings to solve present issues. Though, according to him, these are quite not enough.
“[The social events] wouldn’t satisfy the need for institutional support, as I may focus on a very different academic path as the new students do,” he said.
Another issue Li had was not receiving enough academic support in transferring course credits and demonstrating his previous experience to the college. For future improvements, he suggested improving academic support for transfer students and designing orientation events catered to the transfer experience.
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