@Redpandabear - thanks for the explanation of what was posted on the Facebook group. That makes sense, and no, we won’t be attending those extra events. (VERY cool that they offer them, though!)
My understanding from the student I know at Pomona and loosely following her life this year, as well as being there on a Sunday last fall - the place can be really deserted on Sunday afternoons. That’s when most people seem to acknowledge the reality of the upcoming week, and bury themselves in their books. I have some photos I took last November of campus on a Sunday afternoon, which we joked about because there was NO sign of life at all. There is not a single human being in any of ~20 photos. It’s definitely not the time to form an impression of the vibrancy of the 5Cs! I definitely agree with the suggestion to have candid conversations with students - just don’t worry if they’re scarce on Sunday afternoon.
A lot depends on the student and what they’re looking for. I’m not the slightest bit concerned about my kid’s ability to find stuff to do “in the bubble” (as the students call being on campus at the 5Cs). That’s the easy part for him, and nothing we’re questioning at all. I’m very concerned - as is he, maybe even more so - about what he can get to outside that bubble, especially given that he won’t have a car. We live in a place where we can get authentic food from ~15 different countries within 10 blocks of our house. The paperbox on the corner has papers in two different languages - none in English. The ethnic, economic, social, and age diversity we live within is tremendous - and that’s very much by choice. Both of the other schools S is considering are in equally vibrant and diverse areas. All are academically excellent, engaged and involved students and faculty.
As a result, we’re spending nearly all of our time off campus, other than when S and his friend are going to events. (I think there’s an a capella concert on Sunday night, for example.)
Anyone going this weekend for the admitted student day on Monday and headed back to LAX airport after events on Monday around 530PM? His plan for now is to take the train from the Claremont station close to campus to Union station and than take the train from union station to the airport. Would be great to have another prospective student to navigate this with.
There’s a 5CRideshare board (http://5crideshare.com/) but since it’s not break or end of the semester yet there doesn’t seem to be anybody going to LAX now. The students mostly use Uber to go to the airport unless there’s enough of them to book a shuttle. Have him ask the Admissions staff when he checks in on Monday morning. They must get this question a lot.
@momof2eagles, you’ve probably figured this out already, but for others who are wondering, really the only connection between Union Station and LAX right now is the FlyAway bus. On weekends it leaves Union Station every 30 min, costs $9, and (I think) takes about 35 minutes to get to LAX Terminal 1 (it makes stops at all the other terminals, too).
@otisp thanks for the info. It appears you can buy the ticket for flyaway bus when you purchase the metrolink train ticket . He is going directly after the admit day around 430 . If anyone has a student also doing this you can message me.
anyone looking at thread next year. easy to take the metrolink train from Lax to Pomona. Claremont station in walking distance from Pomona and you can take train to union station and than take flyaway bus to LAX airport. for those looking to save money under 20 dollars each way which is much less expensive than shuttle. total time was about 2 hr but really not much more than a shuttle which in traffic can be 1 1/2 from LAX airport. S is a surburban kid and was easily able to navigate this alone.
Thanks, @momof2eagles! My S is definitely an urban child, but navigates transit pretty well. We flew in and out of Ontario on both trips we’ve made, and will almost certainly just drive down in August for move-in, but it’s good to have the LAX info handy, too. I’ve noted it in a pile of details that I’ll be sure he has.
@2manybooks he loved the admit day and overnight at Pomona. Although nothing officially scheduled on Sunday he went to the art museum , wandered the consortium, and met up with a group of current Freshmen students at Pomona that went to his HS who gave him an informal students perspective. His aunt who is from California joined him on Sunday. On Sunday night he stayed with his host who met him for dinner but was quite busy with studying that evening so he went with a group of Prospies for ice cream led by a Pomona student. Never made it to the infamous snack time Sunday night. He thought the Monday program was really well run with panels, times to talk with faculty, going to classes and experiencing the pomona food for breakfast and lunch(it was great). One more school to go (Swarthmore) and than hopefully will make final decision this weekend. Personally I am rooting for Pomona as I think it provides the best of both world the intimate LAC experience with the larger walkable consortium with incredible academics but also a livable lifestyle where the workload is not drowning you(at least that is what he heard) By the way the Outdoors club which is run by the 5-C not just the consortium was described by one of his former HS classmates as incredible and reason enough to go to Pomona.
My child participated in Spring Weekend April 16 - 19th at Pomona College and was so inspired by the brilliant and modest students he met.
The culture seems to emphasize collaboration, sharing, encouraging and learning. Everyone who gets admitted is incredibly accomplished and talented, yet, they downplay this. There seems to be an understated, humble, and open-minded culture that pervades the campus. I attended the same weekend, but participated in the events for the parents. I was so moved by the faculty panel on Monday. Everyone of the faculty shared what seemed a genuine affection and dedication to nurturing young minds and investing time and attention to understand each student as individuals. The faculty were uniformly gracious and accessible. They were so easy to talk to; no putting on airs, no distance between themselves and me and other parents.
The opportunities available to the youth are simply jaw-dropping. I had done extensive research into Pomona College and the rest of the 5C’s and thus had extremely high expectations going into my campus visit last weekend. Amazingly, what I witnessed over four days exceeded every single facet of my high expectations, from faculty, to students, to administration, to staff, to internships/study abroad, to participating in 5C programs, to dorms, to dining, to facilities, to campus beauty, etc.
Early Sunday morning I walked through Claremont Village and enjoyed the weekly farmer’s market. I chatted with numerous vendors of organic produce, honey, cheese, baked foods, etc. While this shopping area might seem too tame for college students, it does offer a safe and varied commercial district just outside the western boundary of Pomona College.
What an amazing community! Very easy decision for my child.
@Redpandabear - Oh, not only is the Village not too tame, many students pick up fruit for the week at the Farmer’s Market! My S went there with his gf on Sunday, and carried back blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and cheese. It’s a great little market.
I’m wondering, in fact, if they’re going to have the same issue that they did two years ago - an unexpectedly high yield. S just submitted his deposit a few minutes ago.
Intersting point^, @2manybooks about whether Pomona will have an unexpectedly high yield. They selected 743 students (about 100 fewer than last year), but more through the binding ED process, which will serve to increase yield. Currently, they’re projecting ~55% yield to make a class size of 415. I don’t think over enrollment will happen, but I would not want to be someone on the waitlist.
I definitely agree with the suggestion to have candid conversations with students - just don’t worry if they’re scarce on Sunday afternoon.