<p>I just returned from a visit to Claremont Mckenna and Pomona and I am currently torn between the two. I am a great fit for Claremont Mckenna because I am outgoing and a leader and want to major in Government and Public Policy. I am not very excited about the social scene at Claremont Mckenna because I have heard that it is centered around alcohol and tends to be "frat boy-ish"</p>
<p>When I went to Pomona it felt right and familiar, everyone was nice, but it seems as though I would typically fit in better at Claremont because of the leadership. After listening to admissions, it seems that the typical Pomona student isn't as interested in a set goal, and aren't as into leadership as CMC. Does this ring true, or is it just a rumor? I really like Pomona and feel that it is the nuturing environment that I am looking for in a college because I can do research with professors and students are interested in all aspects of learning instead of just econ. and government. I want a place where I can grow as a leader and have a balanced social life. At the same time I want to be able to better myself and study a variety of subjects, (I'm the student who thinks everything is interesting). I am fine with alcohol, but want to avoid pressure if I don't want to drink.</p>
<p>From what I have mentioned, what would you suggest? I am a junior and could apply ED to one, or RD to both. Which one sounds like it would be better for me? I really like Pomona, but feel that I can't ignore the fact that I am a good fit for CMC. If you have any questions just ask...</p>
<p>if you're really interested in leadership then you should flourish in whatever environment you're in. cmc is rightly characterized as a bunch of drunks, many pomona kids are still deciding what they're interested in but just as many know what track they're on.</p>
<p>Most all Pomona students are leaders just in a non assuming way. If the goal of a leader is to create more leaders rather then promote followers then you will find like minded folks at Pomona. You can not get accepted to Pomona with out leadership experience. Go by fit. Where did you feel that fit the most, from your heart not just your head. The reality is that both are amazing schools and you will flourish at either place, Pomona has more variety, breath of learning, and has a slightly larger student body.
Spend a night on campus and attend a class. It will give you a clearer idea. Best of luck, 2 great choices.</p>
<p>skyhawkk08 - Your concern about Pomona regarding leadership is interesting. My son, who had a lot of leadership experience in high school, (probably the "theme" of his app, if there was one) was concerned that everyone at Claremont was so into "Leadership" with a capital L that it would eclipse the other important aspects of college and what he hoped to learn.
While I don't think his concern turned out to be valid (Claremont kids are not all of a type) he has found Pomona's atmosphere very conducive to learning, while still providing a ton of leadership opportunities. Pomona has all of the typical leadership opportunities you'd find at any liberal arts college and then some. I'm surprised you didn't hear about the Sponsors (sophomores who lead small groups of freshmen through the "trials" of their first year) or Outdoor Adventure leaders, who take the incoming freshmen on thier orientation trips. You sound like a natural for either of these roles. There are as many leaders as there are activities at the college - at any college, actually.
I'd suggest applying to both schools if you like them. Most kids do, I think, and then see what happens. Maybe the school will choose you.</p>
<p>wakebdr- your aggressively negative generalizations of CMC are untrue and not helpful for anyone.</p>
<p>First off, it is not "a bunch of drunks" and is really nothing like one big frat. The North side of campus is more famous for its parties-- which usually involve some music and people standing around with beer in hand. The South part of campus is more reserved, and one of the dorms is sub free. You can always find a game of cards or Risk to play or a movie to watch. Sure there is drinking at CMC, but it's not hard to find other stuff to do, and I really don't think there is any pressure on anyone to drink. And guess what-- there is drinking at Pomona too (and most colleges I assume). I think the main difference is that the alcohol rules at CMC are somewhat more lax, so drinking occurs more openly.</p>
<p>I wouldn't be too concerned about the leadership thing. There are plenty of out-going, ambitious leaders at Pomona. From my experience, CMC students do tend to think more about careers and usually have clearer ideas of what they want to do than Pomona students, but again this is a generalization and not true for all of the students at either school. </p>
<p>CMC is just as nurturing an environment as Pomona. Students regularly do research with professors (I am working with a history professor this semester and am only a freshman), and people usually have a wide variety of interests. This was actually one of my concerns before I came to CMC that luckily proved untrue. I love politics, but I do have other interests and want a balanced educational experience. While most people have at least a passing interest in public affairs or business, there is a huge diversity of interests at CMC. Sometimes it seems like everybody is double or dual majoring because they have trouble deciding on just one field. I know a government/ music major, a biology/ history major, and an international relations/ literature major to name a few. People are involved in theater productions, a cappella groups, dance clubs, newspapers, and many, many other activities. Just like it takes leadership ability to get into Pomona, it takes a variety of interests to get into CMC. </p>
<p>Anyway, I don't know if this post will actually help you decide on a school, but I honestly don't know if you can go wrong with either one. Anything that one school doesn't have, you can usually take advantage of at the other one. You can be a CMC student and be in the Pomona College orchestra, or be a Pomona student and go on the CMC semester internship program in Washington, DC. If you want to apply ED, just do the best you can to figure where you think you would be happiest. And if you don't get in ED to that school, you can always apply to the other one RD.</p>
<p>If you're not positive that you're head over heels in love with ONE school or the other, don't apply ED to either.</p>
<p>Applying RD to both is normal. No reason not to!</p>
<p>Judging by the tone of your post, Pomona sounds like a better fit for you. It will in no way curtail your leadership opportunities, nor the quality of your government education. That said, you're correct in that CMC definitely sounds well-tailored to your interests. While wakebrdr's comments are a little unfair, your concerns about the social scene are definitely not unfounded. If you get another chance, I'd <em>definitely</em> recommend spending the night on CMC's campus (preferably on a Thurs., which gives you a good cross-section between academic and social life on campus).</p>
<p>Sounds good. It's nice to have a jump on things, but don't worry too much about having your <em>definite list</em> and numbered choices and all that for now. I didn't even end up applying to a single place that I sent my junior year PSAT scores, and the place I'm currently attending was hardly on my radar until fall of senior year. I didn't really have a first choice until I actually picked a school. It's definitely good to be looking now, and I assume you'll keep doing so over the summer, but keep an open mind...that's all ;-)</p>
<p>Shyhawk, since you have plenty of time, use it wisely to learn more about each one of the schools in Claremont. Remember that the biggest attraction of the consortium is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.</p>
<p>You should also remember that many students who attend one of the Claremont were as ... torned and confused as you are today. In the end, they picked --or were picked-- according to a rather whimsical set of criteria. Do not fall in the trap of making a long term decision based on the opinions and soundbites of others. In the next month, try to learn as much as you can about the schools by contacting them often. Read the websites, contact the admission office, contact professors, poke around. Evaluate how nice and helpful people are. How long does it take to obtain answers. For instance, you should ask the admission officers about the admission numbers for the early rounds versus regular decision round. The answer might help decide if an early application makes sense to you.</p>
<p>Fwiw, I found the following statement interesting:</p>
<p>
[quote]
if you're really interested in leadership then you should flourish in whatever environment you're in. cmc is rightly characterized as a bunch of drunks, many pomona kids are still deciding what they're interested in but just as many know what track they're on.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It is indeed quite telling as it speaks volumes about an overly judgmental attitude that is, alas, present in Claremont. Does that sound like you?</p>
<p>I think Xiggi makes valuable points, but for the sake of the VAST majority of Claremont students, I'd alter his last few sentences a little bit:</p>
<p>The quote, telling as it is, speaks volumes about an overly judgmental attitude that is, alas, present in a particular CC poster who happens to go to school in Claremont. </p>
<p>So yes, Xiggi's statement was technically accurate, but I could never have tolerated (let alone enjoyed) four years here if such an attitude was even remotely widespread. It's an attitude that's important to note, but that should never be taken at face-value. I think that the advice to keep researching the schools is good, but I also encourage you to visit again, spend a night, and talk to as many current students (across the consortium) as you're able, since your concerns are not necessarily 100% of the type that will garner candid responses from admissions offices. I'm still an advocate for applying to both schools, given your feelings, but it's nothing that you need to worry about too strongly right now, anyway.</p>