<p>im currently looking at colleges to apply to next year, small liberal arts colleges generally.</p>
<p>anyways, im just wondering if any one can tell me the differences between the claremont schools - pomona, claremont mckenna, scripps and pitzer. (i know harvey mudd is pretty sciency, which im not interested in)</p>
<p>what are their strengths/weaknesses academically, socially, how the campuss are different, what kind of vibes each has, basically a general overview.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>Pomona is the original Claremont college, dating from 1887. It is a traditional liberal arts college, equally strong in the sciences, premed, languages, humanities, arts, and music. Beautiful campus of Mediterranean style buildings, flower gardens, courtyards, and grassy quads. It is the closest college to downtown Claremont.</p>
<p>Scripps College was the second college, built in the 1920’s. It has similar Mediterranean buildings, but with more of an enclosed feeling. It was built as an all women’s school, with emphasis on art and music, but now is also strong in many other areas. It is named after Ellen Browning Scripps.</p>
<p>Claremont Mckenna was originally Claremont Men’s college, founded in the late 1940’s. It went coed in the late 1970’s. It was founded as a pre-professional school for going on to law, business, politics and medical school, but you can major in any number of other things there as well. The campus is plainer in style than Scripps and Pomona, but it has a good central location near the main library. It was named after Pomona alum Donald McKenna.</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd was founded in the 1950’s, specializing in math, engineering and science. Originally all male, it too went coed in the 1970’s. It is located the farthest north of any of the colleges, and is about 12 blocks from downtown Claremont. It has a stellar reputation, and very hard working students. The campus is attractive, with lovely tree lined walkways. It was named after Harvey Mudd, a mining engineer on the board of trustees for CalTech.</p>
<p>Pitzer was founded in the early 1960’s, originally all women, but went coed in the early 1970’s. It specializes in behavioral sciences, but you can major in anything you want, they share science facilities with Scripps and CMC. It is the most liberal of the colleges. It was named after Pomona alum Russell Pitzer.</p>
<p>Pomona and Pitzer share sports teams for football, basketball, etc. and are called the Sagehens. CMC and Mudd also share sports teams and facilities; they are called the Stags. Each team has its own football stadium.</p>
<p>Several facilities are shared by all the campuses, included Bridges Auditorium, Honnold and Seeley Mudd Library, the bookstore, and the Garrison Theater.</p>
<p>All of the colleges are top notch. You can take classes at any of the other colleges, as they are all clustered together and within easy walking distance. The city of Claremont is an upper middle class suburb, with lots of Victorian homes near campus. Downtown Claremont is about 4 blocks total, with art galleries, gift shops, record stores, restaurants, bakeries, etc.</p>
<p>Good job UCLA Band Mom. Just wanted to add that Scripps also shares sports teams with CMC and Mudd. I would strongly urge the OP to visit the campuses, because each school does have a different feel and emphasis. A great strength for each school is the consortium. Students, as UCLA Band Mom mentioned, can take courses at the other schools besides their own, and students are also allowed to eat at the dining facilities at the other schools. There are 5C’s social events for all the schools as well.</p>
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<p>Yes, I remember the 5 college events as being quite a lot of fun. Especially the 5 college square dance and the Harwood Court Halloween Party.</p>