<p>Hello, I keep going back and forth between vassar and pomona. They both have so many pros and cons but i live in southern california and i really want to get out but i don't want the only reason for me to choose a school be because of its location. Did anyone choose Vassar over Pomona? Why/Why not?</p>
<p>I think there's definitely something to be said for location. I didn't apply to Pomona, because I'm from southern Nevada and I wanted to get as far away from there as possible. It's a legitimate concern - you're spending four years of your life there, so why not pick somewhere completely different from where you live now? </p>
<p>As for specifics, I couldn't tell you. I can say that in general, I would assume that Vassar East Coast hippie kids are going to be a little friendlier than SoCal rich kids... not that we don't have a lot of snobby wealthy people (and, of course, unsnobby wealthy people, but they're much less fun to talk about), but I think you'd probably run into more at Pomona.</p>
<p>GrenadeJumper:</p>
<p>First of all, congrats on having a choice between two great colleges! My daughter is finishing her first year at Vassar, and she loves the place. I'm an ancient graduate of Pomona College, so I can't respond directly to your question, but felt I could give you a few thoughts.</p>
<ol>
<li> We live in NYC. When my daughter was looking at schools, I asked her if she wanted to plan a trip to California to look at schools there (including Pomona of course!), but she was not interested because she felt there were lots of good schools in the Northeast.</li>
<li> I am assuming that your academic interests would be well served by either Pomona or Vassar. If you are now looking more at the "college experience" aspect, I think your interest in getting out of Southern California is important. Living on the East Coast is very different from Socal, and if you haven't lived where there are 4 distinct seasons, I think you'll have a great time! My daughter has made friends from all over the country, and seems to have pulled together a small group of close friends who strangely enough don't have a lot in common (which I think is great). The Vassar campus is beautiful and NYC is only a 2 hour train ride away.</li>
<li> The Pomona campus is great, but it is very California. Our favorite getaway from Pomona when I was there was finding a friend with a car to drive us to Westwood Village to mingle with the UCLA crowd. I think that Pomona has more new buildings than Vassar if that is important to you.</li>
<li> The big advantage that Pomona has over Vassar, in my view, is that it is part of the Claremont Colleges community. When I was at Pomona (somewhere in the dark ages) I thought it was fun having friends who were Pitzies, Scrippsies and CMC'ers and hearing about what was going on with their schools. I also think that the Pomona dorms may be more modern than much of what is offered at Vassar, but many people would count that as a neutral point at best, preferring dorms with more eccentricities. Vassar does not have any colleges next door, so it does not have that interaction with other colleges that people at Pomona enjoy.</li>
<li> Some people don't like change, and may not be happy with a college that is too different from what they are used to. I had friends who were from the same State where I grew up (think Steve McGarrett) who were not happy at Pomona because it "got too cold" in the winter. I really enjoyed the change and seeing Los Angeles, because it was so different from what I was used to. If change appeals to you, then I would suggest giving Vassar serious consideration.
Hope some of this is helpful, and good luck!</li>
</ol>
<p>Some additional information to ofcounsel's thoughtful answer. Vassar is very close to Marist College, SUNY New Paltz , the CIA (Culinary Institute of America--I believe the finest chef school in the country) and West Point. They are all within about 30 minutes by car and there is definitely some interaction. CIA students work on campus in the dining hall. West Point cadets come for parties on occassion. New Paltz is a college town and Marist has lots of interesting kids. NYC is an 80 minute train ride. I would come East for the experience.</p>
<p>thanks so much! i sent my check in the mail today, go vassar!</p>
<p>congrats, hope you love it.</p>
<p>dc89, this is not true:</p>
<p>"As for specifics, I couldn't tell you. I can say that in general, I would assume that Vassar East Coast hippie kids are going to be a little friendlier than SoCal rich kids... not that we don't have a lot of snobby wealthy people (and, of course, unsnobby wealthy people, but they're much less fun to talk about), but I think you'd probably run into more at Pomona."</p>
<p>So Cal rich kids? Snobby? I'm sorry, but there's a reason why 54% of our student body population are on financial aid (all need-based)</p>
<p>Nobody here throws money around - contrary to that - most of the kids in Pomona are among the friendliest and down to earth people you'll ever meet. They are inclusive and caring, laidback yet hardworking. Hardly the rich, snobby, kids with the entitlement mentality that you imply.</p>
<p>Having said that, good luck Grenade! Vassar is an amazing place and you will love it! =)</p>
<p>barbie: I believe Bard falls within that radius as well.</p>
<p>Stewart Airport is on its way to being designated the 4th official airport (LaGuardia, JFK, Newark) for the NYC metropoliltan area due to overcrowding at those other ones. I know there are direct flights from Las Vegas (which must be a quick air hop from California) but it wouldn't surprise me if direct flights to California are already available.</p>
<p>No, there are no direct flights from Las Vegas to Stewart. Trust me... I wouldn't have spent half my life in layovers in Atlanta this year if there were! (I wish, though. Maybe someone from Stewart will read this and jump on that.)</p>
<p>While not anywhere near as close as Stewart, the White Plains (Westchester) airport is another option, if need be. It's about 45 minutes or so from Vassar- easy drive up 84. It too is getting a greater number of direct flights into it as a metro NY airport. They recently expanded and rearranged their pre-boarding area so it is no longer feeling like a sardine can in there.</p>