<p>I'm a senior who just toured Pomona and CMC, and really loved them both. I would major in psychology no matter where I went, and if I go to either Pomona or CMC I would double major with econ at CMC because of the program's amazing reputation.</p>
<p>CMC's philosophy of learning for practical purposes in the working world appeals to me, even though I love intellectual endeavors just for their own sake, which goes more in line with Pomona. With all that said, I know that academically the distinctions don't matter too much since students can study at any 5C school.</p>
<p>CMC's research institute opportunities, emphasis on internships, and the Ath all provide tangible benefits to attending CMC. However I do have some concerns about it. I'm not a super-confident leader type; although I am the president of a not-insignificant club at my school, it's more of a planning events type gig.</p>
<p>I feel like socially CMC might not be my ideal fit. Even though I play a sport, do some leadership stuff, and like to party, I'm definitely not a jock / frat boy-ish type like the stereotypical CMC kid. My friends at school are split between the popular kids, and the more quirky stoner kids, but it's a private school where pretty much everyone who's not a total nerd is relatively cool and also very smart (admission is highly selective). While I'm definitely driven and want to be successful, I don't have a burning desire to be super rich or a CEO like CMC kids are made out. A nice psychology practice would be enough for me.</p>
<p>So do the tangible benefits to attending CMC outweigh the fact that socially I probably fit in better at Pomona? I've heard mixed reports on how much social mixing really goes on, and I'd want to gel well with the people in my dorms. But if I could get feedback on how well people think I'd fit in at CMC, I would be very grateful!</p>
<p>I know this is a pretty nuanced question so I thank anyone who takes the time to answer!</p>
<p>I myself made the decision between Pomona and CMC with the knowledge that I was going to major in Economics (I was a transfer student who entered during sophomore year). I chose Pomona for several reasons but one of them was that I did not see how CMC’s economics department was any better than Pomona’s. After being here for over 2 years (I’m a senior now) I still do not at all think CMC has a better economics department. In fact, I’ve had some CMC friends who took an Econ class at Pomona even though the exact same class was offered at CMC because they thought the Pomona prof was better. CMC’s econ department is so well known because that’s by far what they’re best at (with government also up there). Pomona, however, is much more well-rounded so the econ department doesn’t get all the attention even though the department itself is just as good as it is at CMC.</p>
<p>In terms of research opportunities, I can’t speak to CMC, but I can say that Pomona has the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) where Pomona will pay students up to $4,000 per summer to do research either with a professor or on their own. I have a lot of friends who have done all kinds of research- it’s very easy for Pomona students to do cool research in any number of fields.</p>
<p>For internships- Pomona has the Pomona College Internship Program (PCIP) where Pomona will pay students to do unpaid internships. So even if the company you’re working for doesn’t pay their interns, you can get paid by Pomona. Again, Pomona students have plenty of opportunities to do all kinds of internships.</p>
<p>Since I don’t know you I have no idea how well you would fit in at CMC. I can say that I’m really glad I chose Pomona because socially I like it a lot more here than I would’ve at CMC. But again, it depends on who you are. I’d recommend doing an overnight stay if you’re still unsure.</p>
<p>Also, note that if you do get accepted to Pomona and choose to attend, you will not be able to major in Economics at CMC. Pomona does not allow students to major off-campus if the major is offered at Pomona.</p>
<p>MNKeeper, I really have to laugh at your posts. Somehow you think it is your job to convince everyone on this site that Pomona is superior to CMC. The number one criticism of Pomona students I hear from kids at CMC is how pretentious and vain they are. I am sure this stereotype is mostly false, but you have to admit that you are doing a good job proving their point.</p>
<p>With regard to the respective Economic Depts. I couldn’t tell you which is better; but if you look at the Claremont Colleges course schedule for this semester, you will find that the breadth and depth of economic courses offered at CMC are far greater than at Pomona. My quick math indicates that CMC offers 50 economic courses as opposed to 20 for Pomona. In addition, there are 23 different economic courses taught at CMC and only 14 at Pomona. CMC is nationally known for their economics, accounting, government and international relations programs. Pomona is a fine college, but they don’t emphasize these areas like CMC. </p>
<p>I noticed that in the CMC thread you said that the reason Pomona doesn’t tour the high school circuit with the other Claremont Colleges is because they are doing it with Swarthmore and Amherst. Why don’t you admit that you made this up. You have no idea, do you?</p>
<p>Actually, you would not be able to major in Economics at CMC as a Pomona student. Pomona students must complete a major that is offered at Pomona and cannot even do the second of a double major at one of the other Claremont Colleges. See Cross-registration?. I’m not sure what the policy on off-campus majors is at the other colleges, but I think Scripps at least allows it.</p>
<p>So you wouldn’t be able to major in Economics at CMC, but you could take some classes there, although you should know that a lot of CMC econ courses are closed to students of the other colleges. If you look at the Course Schedule (Home | Portal), you’ll see that many CMC econ courses are labeled “Non-CMC need permission.” That’s all well and good, but CMC also strictly caps most of their classes at 19, and CMC students have priority over others, so most of the time these classes are completely filled up and Pomona students don’t even get a chance to get permission. So you should be very careful about going to Pomona and thinking you’ll be able to take a lot of econ courses at CMC. My understanding is that CMC’s other departments are far less restrictive and protectionist.</p>
<p>Also, in reply to your same question in the CMC forum, parent57 said s/he has never met anyone who didn’t fully enjoy their experience at CMC; I don’t doubt the truth of that, but there may be a sample bias problem here. Off the top of my head, I know of two people who transferred out of CMC: two years ago one of the transfer students at Pomona was from CMC - she said it wasn’t a good social fit for her - and just this last year my friend’s brother transferred from the University of Chicago to CMC…only to transfer back after just a few weeks. Both are great schools with different strengths, and my suggestion for you would be to do an overnight visit at each campus and try to talk to as many current students as possible. You might just get a really good feeling of fit at one of these two schools, I certainly did when I visited Pomona as a HS student. Good luck!</p>
<p>Come on, let’s not get to the level of personal attacks now. As far as I can see on MNKeeper’s recent posts, he isn’t making sweeping generalizations about how Pomona is better than CMC for everyone; he’s using his personal experiences to highlight certain strengths and advantages that he has observed Pomona to have over CMC. Most of the time he’s not even comparing Pomona to CMC, but rather talking about Pomona’s specific strengths and weaknesses on their own terms. If that’s not appropriate for College Confidential, then I don’t know what is. It’s certainly not pretentious or vain.</p>
<p>And in fact, Pomona does do college tours with other liberal arts colleges including Amherst and Swarthmore. Why don’t you research the truth or falsity of this fact yourself before accusing MNKeeper of making it up?</p>
<p>Especially, thanks for pointing out that I couldn’t major in Econ off campus, I had misremembered how it had been described when I visited. Either way, that wasn’t very important to me as it wouldn’t be my primary major anyway. I’ve mulled it over some more though and I’m pretty confident that the social benefits of going to Pomona outweigh the benefits of CMC (econ department, ath, more on campus research.) They’re both incredible schools though, and if I don’t get into Pomona ED I’ll certainly apply to CMC.</p>
<p>bb54321, I am glad you have made your decision. As for Chopsticks, I rarely post on this board and do not as a practice engage in personal attacks. However, I have been reading MNkeeper’s posts for a number of years, and he constantly compares CMC to Pomona in a negative fashion, as if to justify his decision to attend Pomona. You indicated that you examined his RECENT posts. I would request that you read his posts (if you have nothing better to do) from the last few years before you hastily draw conclusions about me. </p>
<p>Let’s not be coy - we both know what he meant when he implied that Pomona travels with Amherst and Swarthmore and not the other Claremont Colleges to college fairs. The truth is that Pomona does not go on the road with these colleges, other than attending college fairs where other highly regarded liberal arts schools are also attending, including CMC. </p>
<p>The truth of the matter is that they are both excellent schools, but they appeal to a different kind of student. Fiona, your comments regarding internships and job placement is kind of silly. Everyone who is familiar with CMC knows that it excels in these two areas.</p>
<p>My daughter chose Pomona over CMC and Pitzer, it was the best fit for her. She has a friend who is currently enrolled at CMC because it was the best fit for her. Parent57 there is no reason to be sensitive and feel as if CMC is the red headed step child, everyone understands it is an awesome school and best represented with grace rather than anger. People are allowed to have personal feelings and post on the forum. It is part of the process of making decisions with as much information you can gather and sift through what is important to you. What makes both Pomona and CMC so strong is not what is similar but what is different between both colleges. America has never been a homogenized society and are stronger because of it. Viva la difference!</p>
<p>Back when I was attending college fairs with my D, I was a little surprised that when Claremont Colleges had booths at a college fair, Pomona was noticeably absent. We found them at another college fair, together with Penn, but I forgot the other names.</p>
<p>CurseItToHades, I hope you are having as good an experience as my son is, so far! He even got through his first experience doing laundry without incident! :)</p>
<p>The truth is that Pomona does do a number of receptions and info sessions throughout the country each year with Swarthmore, Carleton and Bowdoin. There’s no official name for the group, but Google “Pomona Swarthmore Carleton Bowdoin reception” or “Pomona Swarthmore Carleton Bowdoin RSVP” to see for yourself. These are not big college fairs in which other liberal arts colleges are present. Amherst used to be a part of this group in past years. So MNKeeper got it right - and you were the one who just assumed (incorrectly) that he made it all up. I happen to know that both he and I are quite familiar with admissions activities at Pomona, but I checked my facts with the admissions office to be sure.</p>
<p>As for your other remarks, I’ll leave it to other readers to decide for themselves whether MNKeeper was doing something that is inappropriate for CC.</p>
<p>MNKeeper - I hope you don’t feel burned by parent57’s gratuitous attack. I’ve always found your posts exceptionally reasonable and thoughtful. </p>
<p>To the OP: it sounds to me like you feel a connection to Pomona that you don’t have to CMC, and should choose it if you’re trying to decide where to apply ED. You could always apply to CMC if you don’t make Pomona on the first round. </p>
<p>While stereotypes aren’t totally reliable, the admissions presentations make it perfectly clear that the two colleges see themselves differently. If you think about their histories, the images make sense. Pomona was founded as a co-ed institution in 1886 (or so), and awarded a degree to a black student in 1904. CMC was founded after WWII, partly as a way to accommodate all the returning GI’s. It was male-only until 1976, and a lot of the buildings look like they belong on a military base. To me, it’s no surprise that there’s a more macho attitude there. The admissions people are selling that macho attitude, and my D wanted nothing to do with it!</p>
<p>FauxNom - CMC is looking to admit well-rounded students who exhibit leadership qualities with a strong academic background. I suppose this could be considered macho, but I would bet the 46% of the student body that are female might be surprised to learn they are part of a macho culture</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying that every CMC student embraces the macho culture. I know outstanding students currently attending, and stellar alums of CMC, and only some of them have that swagger I was trying to describe for the OP. What I felt very strongly from the admissions presentations was that CMC is proud of its image as more pragmatic, hard-nosed, pre-professional, and destined to run the world. The implicit message was that this differentiated CMC from the wimpy, impractical intellectuals over at Pomona. If you remember the old game “Qui est mas macho?”, I think CMC’s image fits that generalization better than Pomona’s does And for some kids, the CMC culture is going to be far more attractive, just as Pomona’s is for other kids.</p>
<p>Wow. I did not plan on having to read personal attacks from a CMC parent when I checked the forums tonight. As chopsticks has already pointed out, I do actually know what I’m talking about since I am closely involved with the Pomona Admission Office. parent57, I find your personal attacks surprising and inappropriate- especially the fact that you would accuse me of “making things up” when I was actually correct in my statement (and I also have no idea what you think I was “implying” by making a simple statement of fact). I don’t feel a need to defend anything I’ve posted here since chopsticks has already pointed out that I was correct in my earlier statement. I’ll let any readers decide for themselves who looks bad in this thread. </p>
<p>Chopsticks and FauxNom- thanks for the support</p>
<p>This is my last post on this subject. I know that you and a few other posters think that I attacked you for the way you have inaccurately described CMC in your previous posts. So I did a little research and here is a typical comment from 08/11/2008 where you stated that the only reason to choose to go to CMC over Pomona is if you are absolutely sure you want to major in economics or you like to party or drink. Are you sure you can’t think of a few more reasons? I know it may be hard for you to believe, but many kids choose CMC over Pomona for reasons other than the ones you listed. The bottom line is that these CMC/Pomona debates are silly, but for whatever reason you seem to like to engage in them. Again, if anyone doubts my veracity, please do some research.</p>
<p>If that’s a “typical” comment of mine then why did you need to go back more than 2 years to find it? </p>
<p>I’ll be the first to admit that there might be a post or two that I wrote two years ago that I should’ve read twice before posting, but I think that I’m perfectly fair towards CMC in the vast majority of my posts- especially anything I’ve posted since I transferred to Pomona in Fall 2008. If you read my posts you’ll notice that I usually tell students to spend some time on both campuses to get a sense for which school fits their personality better.</p>
<p>I also do not “like” engaging in Pomona/CMC debates. However I do like answering people’s questions. So if someone asks me why I chose Pomona, I’m going to tell them. If someone chooses to attack me simply because I tell people I could’ve gone to CMC but didn’t, then that’s their perogative. </p>
<p>Again, I’ll leave it up to any readers to look at my past posts and decide for themselves whether parent57’s hostile comments were justified.</p>
<p>I would propose that any post on any subject should be stated/perceived as objectively as possible. Yes, folks do become emotional about issues; however, accusing other posters of bias, prejudice, and the like, is off-topic and self-defeating. Instead, please state your observations/perceptions and leave it to the readers to come to their own conclusions. TIA.</p>
And for some kids, the CMC culture is going to be far more attractive, just as Pomona’s is for other kids.</p>