Carleton vs. Pomona

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carleton College
1

<p>So I recently got off the waiting list at Pomona, after I had put my deposit in at Carleton, and I have to decide quite soon. I keep going back and forth. I'm sure I'd be happy at either, but can anyone speak to the differences between these schools? My impression is that they're generally equal academically and the main differences are location and the consortium for Pomona. </p>

<p>How is the social atmosphere different at these schools?
Would you agree that they are relatively equal academically?
Besides the location and consortium or lack thereof, are there huge differences between them?</p>

<p>Any input is much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Also, does anyone know how these schools compare on the following:
Study Abroad
Help finding internships
Research
Post-College Planning</p>

<p>I’m having a really hard time deciding and I need to decide by, like, tomorrow, so any input at all would be awesome.</p>

3

<p>Have you checked out the Carleton vs. Pomona threads here? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/carleton-college/691523-index-carleton-vs-____-threads.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/carleton-college/691523-index-carleton-vs-____-threads.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I don’t know much about Pomona myself, but this might be a good place to start.</p>

4

<p>A surfeit of opportunity! So much better this way, though, than the converse!</p>

<p>The yes’s first:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Yes, academics, study abroad, and research opportunities will be great at both and pretty much a wash.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, Northfield does get a bit more snow than Claremont. But this also means our air is fresher, we adapt trays for winter recreation, and I’m pretty sure broomball is not an outdoor sport on SoCal college quads :).</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, unlike the Clarement consortium, St. Olaf is not physically connected to Carleton. For a lot of Oles escaping their dry campus, this unfortunately means very slow going home after crashing parties here Friday nights :).</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Now for the no’s:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The Claremont consortium offers the advantage of a university sized campus but sacrifices some of the intimacy of a physically separate LAC environment. The bonding that happens while at Carleton is, more than anything else, what defines the experience here. These are personal connections that just don’t quit when four years end. </p></li>
<li><p>That brings up an answer to your question about help with internships and post-college planning. Carls love to help Carls. Carleton pioneered a series of programs to engage alumni. Mentor Externships, Engagement Wanted, CAMP, Carleton Scholars, Couches for Carls are some examples of this. Lots of colleges have used these programs as templates to develop their own. But few schools, if any, have as devoted a bunch of alums as you’ll find here:</p></li>
</ol>

<p>[Carleton</a> College: Career Center: The Mentor Externships Program](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/externship/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/externship/)
[Carleton</a> College: Career Center: C.A.M.P. (Carleton Alumni Mentoring Program)](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/CAMP/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/CAMP/)
[Carleton</a> College: Career Center: The Carleton Scholars Program](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/scholars/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/scholars/)
[Carleton</a> College: Engagement Wanted](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/engagement_wanted/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/engagement_wanted/)
[Carleton</a> College: Career Center: Couches for Carls](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/couchesforcarls/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/initiatives/couchesforcarls/)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Northfield is a small, historic river town. Claremont is a modern suburb. The feel is very different. While Minneapolis and LA are respectively similar commutes, both there to enjoy as one chooses, Northfield feels a world unto itself and a world away from a big city. Hundreds of Arboretum acres and miles of trails adjoin the campus. Route 3 would never be confused with a freeway. Archer House would never be confused with a Hilton.</p></li>
<li><p>Carls have always seemed to me the most fun-dedicated of the academically-dedicated types you’d find anywhere. Intellectualism and academic mindedness are not unique to this place. The wacky fun and individualism that hand in hand accompanies it here, is. I’ve been to Claremont and know many Pomona grads, but I’ll leave it to Sagehens to define themselves.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>You won’t go wrong choosing Carleton or Pomona any more than you would have choosing any of the other wonderful schools you’ve considered. C and P, though, may have much more in common that you probably even realize. The youngest daughter of Pomona’s 9th and current President, David Oxtoby, is herself a proud Carl. Oxtoby’s predecessor, Peter Stanley, was a Dean at Carleton before leaving to takeover as Pomona’s 8th president. Scarily small world. Your decision should not be scary. Great choices, all.</p>

5

<p>Some differences to think about beyond those you mention:</p>

<p>– Compare the academic calendars - they are quite different. At Carleton you’ll be in school until June but will get all of December off.</p>

<p>– Pomona has at least twice the endowment of Carleton. I think you can feel the difference when you are there. There just seem to be more resources to tap into.</p>

<p>– The Claremont’s do a certain level of resource coordination (a common library, for example) which boosts the total resources available even further.</p>

6

<p>Actually Pomona has a billion more dollars than carleton.</p>