Columbia Vs Pomona

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>I was recently accepted to Pomona College in Claremont CA and Colubia University (CC) in New York City. I have essentially receieved a full ride to both schools so money is not the issue. I like what Columbia has to offer academic wise more than Pomona, since I am a math-science person; and Pomona is a small liberal arts school. However, I am concerned about Columbia's Core Curiculum since I am an IB student and tired of taking classes I am not interested in. Would I be miserable in the core curiculum at Columbia and would it be a waste of 2 yrs? Also, is it hard to double major at Columbia? </p>

<p>Thanks, I appreciate all the posts as they will be of great help during my college decision.</p>

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<p>What are you leaning towards doing after college (i.e. not just your academic interests)? That is a key question to ask. From what you have stated, I think Pomona would be a better fit. What about preferences in terms of campus culture, location, etc.?</p>

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<p>also consider looking for a guy on here whose callname is lolcat, he had a similar choice.</p>

<p>in the end, i think columbia is a far more dynamic place to go to school. it is about experiencing things you can’t at the claremont colleges. the level of diversity, the sense of internationalism, dynamism that emanates from the campus and from the city you live in.</p>

<p>honestly the core is the brief bit of sanity in what is otherwise a torrent of action, a moment of reflection amidst outstanding opportunity. through the core you take a series of courses in common, developing a unique vocabulary you share with peers, and also far more even than in an IB setting, aim to understand your sense of argumentation. </p>

<p>it is also a means of sharing - so someone like you who has had a pseudo- great books education can share it with peers who have not adding to their experience. but there is a reason why individuals in business, politics, arts and any other industry continue to turn back to the classics for inspiration. many professors acclaim that they will read one or another core book every year for inspiration. i myself bring along a copy of Montaigne’s Essays anytime i am free because it is not merely about forming a superficial and at times antagonistic relationship with these pieces of work (as i feel high school does), but rather a receptive and investigatory sensibility. where you wrestle with these texts and what they mean for you, and let you imagine what they must have meant for the time.</p>

<p>in fact, the core courses are perhaps the last experience you will have (and certainly less likely elsewhere) in which you can imbibe intellectual ideas and philosophies so broadly and with such diverse company. to truly enjoy learning for learning sake, and in the process (unwittingly) develop a passion for asking questions and for understanding perspectives that improves the way you operate as a student.</p>

<p>i’m a big core believer, loved every class, and boy did it raise my gpa. </p>

<p>but as some folks on here show, you can ‘dislike’ the core and still make it thru columbia. there are a lot of other academic reasons (top dept. in the sciences throughout) to attend columbia. and far more social/cultural/life reasons to go to school in the playground that is New York City.</p>

<p>pomona will feel like a respite from the real world, columbia will be a hearty introduction to it.</p>

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<p>First there are many science-leaning people who enjoyed the Core and who posted their experience on this board. Do a search. Second, double majoring in common in CC and certainly doable.</p>

<p>I don’t think there’s much of a question. Columbia is innumerable notches above Pomona; you would need really crazy reasons not to attend.</p>

<p>EDIT: I did not see adgeek’s post. It’s also useful to read what he’s written on the core and ny life.</p>

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<p>My D is torn between the same two choices right now. Similar discussions are on the Pomona page, of course skewing the direction there toward Pomona. My daughter has spent 1-2 days per week in NYC for the past two years. Although she absolutely LOVES the city and everything about it, she is wondering if she should venture out into the new experience that is Southern California, particulary 4 years of wonderful weather, and then return to NYC where she can spend many, many years. Tough, but fabulous choice!</p>

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<p>is this a serious question?</p>

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<p>Pomona’s 35 miles east of downtown LA, which means it’s hot and smoggy. In SoCal, you want to be near the ocean.</p>