What is Decemberfest?
Since 1972, Decemberfest has brought more than 1,800 high school counselors, independent school college advisors, and community-based organization leaders to Southern California for a week of tours, information, and networking.
Each school you visit during DecemberFest is unique, but we share an essential resource: our vibrant Southern California location. More than any other stats, California reigns in the popular imagination as the gateway to adventure, opportunity, and a chance at a better life. From the Gold Rush days, to the Hollywood boom of the early 20th century, to today’s tech innovators, California has been the proving ground for many of the world’s game changers. Our state boasts the world’s 5th largest economy, North America’s busiest port, and three of the ten most populous U.S. cities. Perched on the Pacific Rim, we are the gateway to a global community and welcome a diverse population. More than a quarter of the state’s residents were born outside of the U.S. and nearly 60% identify as a racial minority.
Students at every DecemberFest college enjoy unparalleled access to all that makes our state unique. From internships at world-famous companies and research trips amid the (truly great) outdoors, to cultural excursions and collaborations with peers from diverse backgrounds, the educational experience these Californian institutions offer extends far beyond the traditional classroom.
The mission of the California Institute of Technology is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society. For more information, contact ugadmissions@caltech.edu.
Its mission, within the mutually supportive framework of The Claremont Colleges, is to educate its students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions, and to support faculty and student scholarship that contribute to intellectual vitality and the understanding of public policy issues. The College pursues this mission by providing a liberal arts education that emphasizes economics and political science, a professoriate that is dedicated to effective undergraduate teaching, a close student-teacher relationship that fosters critical inquiry, an active residential and intellectual environment that promotes responsible citizenship, and a program of research institutes and scholarly support that makes possible a faculty of teacher-scholars. For more information, contact admission@cmc.edu.
Harvey Mudd College seeks to educate engineers, scientists and mathematicians well versed in all of these areas and in the humanities and the social sciences so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society. For more information, contact admissions@hmc.edu.
The mission of Occidental College is to provide a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality—one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world. For more information, contact admission@oxy.edu.
Pitzer College produces engaged, socially responsible citizens of the world through an academically rigorous, interdisciplinary liberal arts education emphasizing social justice, intercultural understanding and environmental sensitivity. The meaningful participation of students, faculty and staff in college governance and academic program design is a Pitzer core value. Our community thrives within the mutually supportive framework of The Claremont Colleges, which provide an unsurpassed breadth of academic, athletic and social opportunities. For more information, contact admission@pitzer.edu.
Throughout its history, Pomona College has educated students of exceptional promise. We gather individuals, regardless of financial circumstances, into a small residential community that is strongly rooted in Southern California yet global in its orientation. Through close ties among a diverse group of faculty, staff and classmates, Pomona students are inspired to engage in the probing inquiry and creative learning that enable them to identify and address their intellectual passions. This experience will continue to guide their contributions as the next generation of leaders, scholars, artists and engaged members of society to fulfill the vision of the College’s founders: to bear their added riches in trust for all. For more information, contact admissions@pomona.edu.
We welcome, educate, and empower a diverse community of learners for lives of meaning, impact, and joy. For more information, contact admissions@redlands.edu.
The mission of Scripps College is to educate women to develop their intellects and talents through active participation in a community of scholars, so that as graduates they may contribute to society through public and private lives of leadership, service, integrity, and creativity. For more information, contact admission@scrippscollege.edu.
Whittier College is a residential four-year liberal arts institution that prepares students from diverse backgrounds to excel in a complex global society. Through challenging, interactive courses, taught by accomplished professors, students learn to make connections across disciplines, understand cultural perspectives, and integrate learning with practical application. Inspired by a Quaker heritage, the Whittier education equips students to be active citizens and effective communicators who embrace diversity and act with integrity. For more information, contact admission@whittier.edu.
Schedule of Events
View our tentative schedule for DecemberFest 2024. Please note that it is subject to change.
Nomination Process
Decemberfest participants are selected through a nomination process – your interest will be taken into consideration as we invite counselors for future programs. Please note that Decemberfest is open to school-based and community-based organization (CBO) counselors only.
We typically receive hundreds of inquiries and nominations for a tour of 40-45 people, so unfortunately we are unable to host all interested counselors. If selected, invitations to the program are typically sent in February/March each year to allow invitees the better part of the year to arrange work schedules and coverage during their week away.
