Brown vs. Pomona for Undergrad?

HI! I’m the typical senior who is torn up between applying for 2 colleges early. I’ve visited both, and I’m fascinated by both. I’m leaning towards majoring/concentrating in Cognitive Science or International Relations.

First of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Brown Open Curriculum (as many people do lmao) because I have interests in way too many fields excluding Cognitive Science, International Relations, and I think the open curriculum is a great way to explore what Brown offers. Plus Brown is pretty top-notch for its undergraduate teaching and, like many other Ivies, has a great alumni system (is that the right phrase?) My friend who currently goes there tells me the atmosphere is very relaxed and everyone’s really unique, and the classes are relatively small. I really like the learning atmosphere and everyone is super passionate and individualistic there. The weather leaves a lot to be desired though (but I’m from Oregon so) and I hear the dorms and food are meh?

But I also want to stay on the west coast and attending Pomona College means I could also take classes at Scripps, Pitzer, Harvey Mudd, and CMC. The school and classes are pretty small which is what I like, and I heard the professors there are really helpful and there are a lot of research/intern opportunities? The dorms when I visited were really nice and I hear the food there is pretty bomb as well. I’m a little worried about the learning environment there and I feel like Pomona is kind of in its own world, and apparently you have to focus on one major (or double major).

I don’t even know if anyone is going to see this or not haha but I hope someone can help offer some advice or insight. Thank you!

I think that you understand yourself & the schools well enough to make your own decision.

If both schools were located in Southern California, which one would you choose ?

How important is weather to you ?

How important are nice dorms & good food to you ?

What are your reasons for investing in a college degree ?

I think you’ll find the education similar at both schools, as well as the opportunities after you graduate. Certainly, Pomona has less flexibility on its curriculum and you can’t take as many courses pass/fail, but, as you note, you’ll have earlier and more intense interaction with faculty (even before your first semester, you’ll likely have in-person or email communication with your professors).

As the above poster notes, you have to decide how important non-educational factors are to you, such as location, weather, housing, and food.

Since both schools are highly selective, you definitely should apply to both. You may also want to apply to CMC too, as your intended major can be accomplished there.

Post move in day at Brown my son reports the dorms and food are much better than expected. Most freshman forms have been renovated, rooms are spacious and about a third of freshman in his quad have singles. Food wise the “Ratty” had been as he put it solid with new food service company (but upperclassman remain skeptical). Lots of alternatives on Thayer street.

Weather wise universally told it can get miserable with the wind off the river up the hill (small mountain).

Class selection selection seems incredibly flexible with advisor contact often and easily set up. My son was able to sit down with his advisor a week in advance. They really live the open curriculum mind set of take classes you are interested and passionate about. Upper classmates suggest pass fail is the greatest myth about Brown. Very rarely if ever used.

Lastly,Providence has the benefit of a true small college city. Great RISDI museum, concert venues, federal hill resteraunt, and close proximity to Boston.

You are deciding between two great school. I don’t mean to be one sided I just don’t know Pomona.

@Nocreativity1 : You wrote that “pass fail is the greatest myth about Brown. Very rarely if ever used.”

Assuming that your source is correct, is it because one is allowed to enter into a contract that if that student’s grade for that class falls below a designated grade, that the student will be graded pass/fail ? Which suggests easy grading.

One idea would be to sit down and spend some time on the Brown course catalog on their website and actually map out what you’d choose now if you had to pick classes for the next 4 years. Then look at what your actual breadth requirements would be at Pomona and whether there’s anything you’d actually choose now to take at Brown that you wouldn’t be able to fit in at Pomona between breadth requirements and a major. (because it sounds like you prefer the open curriculum at Brown but almost everything else at Pomona… so see if the open curriculum really matters all that much in the end with the actual courses you have to choose from).

Publisher I trust my “source”. I sat at a dinner with 4 current Brown upperclassman and 3 freshman this past Thursday so I suspect they were completely honest. 2 of the upperclassman indicated they had never exercised the p/f option. Basically the theme was we only take classes we want to participate in so getting grades is no big deal we work out of interest not obligation.

One of the young men mentioned a sibling at Columbia who was miserable in a mandated science class. Laughed and said that is why we don’t need p/f nothing is forced.

The result is likely grade inflation but it is by virtue of kids having legitimate intellectual curiosity in the classes they take. Not them gutting it or working around the system. By and large Brown kids had to be academically ambitious to get admitted in the first place.

I know some like to think otherwise but it works for those who go to Brown. If you prefer to complain about academic rigor, be a martyr, have limited fun and take shots at schools like Brown go for it. Lots of options exist.

My experience is Brown students challenge themselves because they want to learn not because they have to follow a standardized guideline. They also don’t take the time to criticize other more structured curriculums or schools because they are busy with other things and simply don’t care.

@Nocreativity1: I think that you misinterpreted the tone & intent of my post. I am not questioning anyone’s honesty nor am I knocking Brown. I think that you are being a bit oversensitive.

I have recommended Brown to many, have a niece who is a Brown graduate & now a math professor at a university & many, many classmates of my son from his elite New England prep boarding school attend or have attended Brown.

I was simply asking a question because the students with whom I have had contact regarding Brown love the pass fail, open curriculum, reasonable grading practices.

As for my comment “assuming that your source is correct” was not suggesting dishonesty, but, rather, lack of knowledge. How would they know ?

Publisher please I was just sharing my experience pardon the tone if it came off as over zealous. The “assuming your source is correct” hit a nerve seemingly questioning veracity but no way you could have known I spent the last 4 days on campus. Cheers!

And having followed your posts I acknowledge and appreciate your consistently insightful comments.

Both are great choices. I think the suggestion of adding CMC to your list is a little misplaced — CMC has a really different social vibe from the two schools you are considering.

I’m not saying this should drive be your decision at all, but note that Pomona has ED II, and Brown has just one round of ED. Or… you could apply to both RD.

Thanks for your feedback!

Thank you so much!

That’s very nice to know thank you for the help!

@soitsybitsy , your conundrum is very common. Brown and Pomona were my child’s top two choices. A couple of quickie thoughts. 1) Pomona does not have an International Relations major. She was thinking about that tract at Brown, but Pomona does not have a similar path. They have a wonderful curriculum and you can study at the other schools, as you suggested, but if you are wedded to that program, head to Providence :-). 2) As it turned out, she did end up major in Cog Sci. Cog Sci is exceptionally malleable and does not have heavy credit requirements. You can very easily major in it and take on a second major or at least add on a minor.
Hope that helps, and best of luck!

Agree that it’s not unusual for students to be consider both Brown and Pomona - and that they’re both amazing, but…
https://www.pomona.edu/academics/majors/international-relations. (One of my Pomona kid’s best friends/suite mates was an IR major - and also took related classes at CMC and Pitzer)

Thank you @otisp for the correction! I did not realize that, and your information should be really helpful for @soitsybitsy .

I am interested in learning about CMC too. How different is the social vibe of CMC, can you share please
intparent? Thank you so much in advance.

@calliemom thank you for offering the information. I was planning on double majoring with cog sci if I attended Pomona, it’s nice to know that cog sci is a malleable major.