<p>I was admitted to Bowdoin regular decision and put down my deposit, but today I just got offered a spot off of the wait list at Pomona. I really need help deciding which school to go. Like what sort of things make the schools seem different? I’m from Northern California and I really would love to be able to have the amazing So Cal weather but I alway want to experience something different. Please help me because I have almost no clue what to do and I have to decide by Sunday!</p>
<p>Are you adventurous or no?</p>
<p>I would say I am moderately adventurous. I like to try new things, but I am also believe that if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.</p>
<p>Also: [The</a> Bowdoin mystique ? The Bowdoin Orient](<a href=“http://bowdoinorient.com/article/8308]The”>The Bowdoin mystique — The Bowdoin Orient)</p>
<p>Pomona is a damn good school, though.</p>
<p>Hmmm… based on #3: Pomona.</p>
<p>Plus, your parents will be happier to have you nearer-er.</p>
<p>Two amazing schools…You’d be hard pressed to find anything really significantly “lacking” in either. Good luck!</p>
<p>Pomona! You’ll have more resources available to you via the 5 college consortium…down the line it will be nice to have networking/ recruiting opportunities in Cali if your family is there…</p>
<p>S also had to decide btw Bowdoin and Pomona. Have you visited both schools? Both offer outstanding elite LAC academics. But they are two very different environs. PM me if you want more info.</p>
<p>This is an interesting choice. Things to think about, winters and a LOT of snow, vs. shorts and flip flop weather almost year round…keep in mind days that people wear ‘winter coats’ at Pomona, would be short sleeve weather at Bowdoin…a lot less pollution in Brunswick than Claremont (yes, everyone says it isn’t a big deal at Pomona now, but I was just there in March and while it is better than when I was at school and you could see the smog roll in like fog), there is still a difference. </p>
<p>Look at the two websites and really compare the things in the academic and student life areas that are important to you. Pomona was S2’s second choice, while Bowdoin was way down his list based on his criteria. They are both outstanding schools, but it isn’t the same as doing a Bowdoin Middlebury comparison. Also it may or may not be important to you, but there is also the difference between a school that has a lot longer tradition and the schools in California.</p>
<p>I love Bowdoin and Maine, but the issues named above by others definitely should be considered. Think about how you feel about the distances, 5 - 6 hours by car vs. 8+ by plane, train, car, bus combination. Good luck, but please let us know what you decide!</p>
<p>Jdaz95- what did you end up deciding?</p>
<p>I ended up deciding on Pomona.
It’s far enough from home, but close enough to go back easily. Travel is cheaper and way faster. The weather is obviously way better at Pomona. A below average day at Pomona is one of the nicest days of the year at Bowdoin. Pomona is much closer to a major city. 40 minutes train ride to LA vs 2 hour train to Boston. Bowdoin has really great outdoor stuff and is surrounded by nature, but outdoor stuff is pretty accessible at Pomona too. Joshua Tree isn’t very far and there is the beach and the mountains if I decide I want to have snow. Come on, where else can you go to the beach, desert, and then ski in one day?</p>
<p>Pomona’s facilities blew me away. Everything was so nice thanks to their ridiculously large endowment. Bowdoin had really great facilities but Pomona really just takes it to a whole new level. I figured that if plan on living in California Pomona is going to have a more significant alumni presence than Bowdoin. Also the consortium was an enormous plus and I know quite a few people at Pomona and the other Claremont colleges. </p>
<p>Really I decided as soon as I started walking around Pomona and remembered how nice the weather was. But I really did fall in love with Maine when I visited. I was seriously ready to eat lobster and clam chowder. And I also bought this awesome Bowdoin under armor hoodie that is sort of awkward to wear now. Also Polar bears vs Sagehens isn’t even a contest. Just about any mascot beats a chicken that lives in the desert. I’m not going to lie the decision killed me but the weather totally got me.</p>
<p>Just kidding. I am not got gonna be THAT guy. But seriously, thanks for the update. Sometimes OP’s here on CC disappear into the aether and we never get the final answer, so it’s nice to hear about how you made you decision. Pomona sounds like an awesome place. Best of luck to you there!</p>