<p>The Princeton Review says about student body: "Don't believe the BS about students being laid-back at Pomona," writes a senior. "They are definitely intense and competitive."
What do you think? Is it about science students?</p>
<p>In a way, this is true. Pomona students are academically and intellectually intense and competitive - but the key point is that they are competitive with themselves, not with others. They are serious about their studies and are ambitious, but there is little to none competition among students in the usual, aggressive sense of the word. I have taken nine courses here at Pomona and have encountered no negative, unpleasant "competition." Very few courses here have a curve to compete against. This, combined with the general nature of students who choose to come here and the general atmosphere of the college, fosters cooperation instead of competition. Everyone I've talked to here feels the same way, but of course there can be individuals who may feel differently.</p>
<p>Yea, I definitely think the competition is more with yourself, not with others. There are always study groups forming for certain tests instead of everybody secretly trying to sabotage each other. Furthermore, I don't really hear people talking about grades that much, even though they obviously care a lot about making good grades. Pomona doesn't give you a class ranking, so maybe that partially explains it, although there are awards at graduation if you're in a certain percentage in your class.</p>
<p>People care about their own grades, but couldn't give a **** about the grades of others, and would rather work along with people to benefit the group, rather than compete with the others.</p>