Cornell ILR vs Pomona vs Emory

Hello everyone

So I have been fortunate enough to be accepted into these 3 schools. Commitment day is hours away, and I want to make sure there isn’t any perspective or aspect I haven’t thought about.

I’m from Georgia and my intended major for now will probably be something in the humanities at Emory or Pomona, but I don’t know what yet. At Cornell it would be ILR. My career goals in the short term are to be a lawyer (unless a better opportunity comes along the way during undergrad). Long term goals are to have works published, be a professor, and an influential speaker. I have visited Emory and Pomona and I loved both of those schools and the people I met. I haven’t gotten to visit Cornell. Pomona is a little cheaper, but I assume with the cost of travel it should come out to be similar. Cornell is the most expensive.

Pomona, imo, but all three are excellent.

@marvin100 any particular reasons?

The environments would be fairly different.

What do you like/dislike?

@PurpleTitan
Uhm. pretty broad question, but I love art, music, humanities, intellectual conversations. But these are things I’d get at all three.

OK. But the environment. A small LAC (within a consortium) vs. a mid-sized private uni vs. the largest elite private.

Mediterranean vs. Southern (humid summers) vs. Upper Northern (freezing winters).

@PurpleTitan I’ve lived in Georgia my whole life so I’m not sure how I would prefer the other two climates, but I imagine it’s something I’d adapt too. I love the small classes feel that I get at Pomona, but apparently I get those options at Emory and ILR too

Why assume?

@PurpleTitan Georgia weather is very capricious so I usually get enough exposure to different types of weather that I can adapt to. To be honest, weather isn’t really a deciding factor for me.

I’d take Pomona - smaller, excellent undergraduate focus, cross-enroll at 5Cs, SoCal weather. And cheaper! (though even if it was more expensive I’d take it over Cornell)

Hi @helpmefriends , based on your aspirations perhaps you might choose Pomona. (I am a Cornell alum, have a mother that lives in Georgia, and a child that will attend Pomona.)
If you study ILR at Cornell, your coursework will be somewhat limited. Cornell is beautiful and has many extraordinary resources. I loved it. But, the weather is far more intense than Georgia. Pomona’s weather is closest to Georgia’s–as you know, but without the humidity. Freshman classes at Cornell may have up to 400 students–although those classes usually have Rock Star-caliber professors.
Acceptance to Pomona is a great gift.
All schools are wonderful.
What does your heart say?

Georgia doesn’t get anywhere as cold or as much snow as upstate NYS.

@PurpleTitan True, the cold(or heat) would never seriously bother me in Georgia though. I really think it’s something I would adapt to and not something I would want to make my decision on.

@CallieMom Was Pomona the obvious choice for your child? What about it do you and they like the best or more from other schools?

Not sure if having an “LAC experience” is important to you, but D said that while she could always go to a big research university as a grad student, she could only go to an LAC as an undergrad. So when faced with a “dilemma” similar to yours, she chose Pomona (and has loved it).

@otisp Yes that’s good point. And haha yea, it’s a “dilemma,” I’m very fortunate to be in.

Pomona!

All three will be just fine for pre-Law because they all provide excellent all-around education and many strong programs.

Obviously there are the usual “LAC vs. U” differences to consider:

  • Smaller classes and more time with profs at Pomona
  • More majors and better name recognition to Average Joe and hiring managers at Emory and Cornell

Look hard at the following:

  • Weather: all three are markedly different. Southern four seasons vs. Northeastern four seasons vs. California monoseason climate
  • Surroundings: Emory is in a big city, Cornell is rural, and Pomona is sort of suburban-rural
  • Cost: With three such excellent schools, bonus points go to the one that costs the least, including travel cost.

They’re all very good. If you have a gut feeling at this point, just go for it. They’ll all prepare you very well for law school.

I will be attending Pomona this fall, so I might see you there! I know an Art History Professor at Pomona (Professor Phyllis Jackson) and had the honor of taking her class for a month during my Junior year. It was an amazing experience. She’s a tough professor, but I love her what she taught me. In the beginning of the class, she clearly stated “I’m not telling what to think but how to think.” I learned so much and the small class size allowed for thorough discussions between my peers and I. Additionally, I know several Pomona college students and I’ve observed that they are very receptive to dialogue surrounding race, class, and gender particularly in the US. That is part of the environment at Pomona. Also, there are quite laid back and most of the time willing to help.

@shadyconcepts any particular reasons?

@chickenjaelittle I’ve absorbed that at my Pomona visit too! How’d you take a class there your junior year? I remember seeing a lot of old retired folk in one of the classes i sit in on. Do a lot of the classes have people from outside of the 5C’s?