<p>I know there have been previous threads about the merits of these two colleges( I've pretty much browsed through all the ones I can find), but I still cannot make up my mind between these two colleges. I would wholeheartedly appreciate any input into this dilemma( a fortunate dilemma anyhow.)</p>
<p>The cost for both schools will be roughly the same for me, so financial reasons are not a factor in choosing a school. </p>
<p>The problem is mostly that I am relatively undecided about what I want to do for the future. I'm considering applied math/perhaps engineering degree combined with an MBA in grad school, economics with grad school MBA, and medicine. Future career- somehow involved in a tech startup, finance, or medicine. Medicine is really the odd one out here because I do not really enjoy biology , but my parents fervently want me to pursue medicine. As immigrants, they've sacrificed their lives and time for my academic success so much that I can't but feel that I'm being unwarrantedly selfish by pursuing another career without leaving an opportunity open for medicine. </p>
<p>I've visited both campuses.
So besides the whole undecided deal, here are some other pros and cons: </p>
<p>Columbia (SEAS) : </p>
<p>-best location in the world-particularly for finance, business</p>
<p>-threads like ( <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/1041703-4-years-later-reflections-columbia-college-senior.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/1041703-4-years-later-reflections-columbia-college-senior.html</a> ) make me wary about Columbia's social environment as someone who enjoys campus community</p>
<p>-lack of campus community. In general, people seem aloof and absorbed in their own lives, although that seems to characterize New York in general. </p>
<p>-extremely intense and competitive environment. my overnight host basically didn't sleep until 6 am and skipped her first class at 8:40</p>
<p>-will make me definitely grow up very fast. I don't know if I can handle that coming from a small surbarban town</p>
<p>-core curriculum</p>
<p>-professors teach larger classes, are more absorbed with their own research. however, they perform more cutting edge research than at pomona. then again, must compete with grad students for reserach, and a columbia student told me that it is rare for freshman to be performing research (i'd probably do research in Computer Science/ EE)</p>
<p>Pomona:</p>
<p>-Claremont seems small, but very intimate. When I visited, pomona students were so friendly I felt right at home. Got lost during the visit, and the students offered to personally direct me where I needed to go. </p>
<p>-secure and safe place where I feel I will definitely not fall through the cracks( which I feel might happen at Columbia). I found friends right away during the first hour, while I spent most of the Columbia's Days on Campus floating around groups of people, making "acquaintances" but not "friends"</p>
<ul>
<li>won't experience as much personal growth here compared to Columbia</li>
</ul>
<p>-professors are friendly, approachable, and personally teach every class. they get to know you so there is no problem with getting recs for grad school</p>
<p>-not in as ideal of a location for business, finance internships. Also, i'm considering engineering, and pomona has no engineering major, but harvey mudd is right next door. I'd have to major in Computer Science. Anyone know if it is possible to transfer to harvey mudd from pomona if a student decides to pursue engineering? </p>
<p>-freshman are actually PAID to do internships and reserach opportunities are easy to acquire</p>
<p>-food, dorms all better than columbia's (minor)</p>