Dartmouth.PomonaCollege.HarveyMudd Help

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, thanks for reading this post. (:</p>

<p>I want a college which will really open my mind. I thought of a big university, such as UC Berkeley, however the class size ratios of teacher:students, seems too big. I want a college that will really allow me to participate a lot and ask lots of questions, so that i can understand concepts behind everything i study. </p>

<p>I'm not sure what i want to major in at the moment. I am a bit interested in computer science, but I haven't actually taken a course on it before. My parents really want me to get into that field, so that I can have a stable job. </p>

<p>However, I think my strong points lie in literature, psychology, and philosophy, although my AP test scores were 5's in chemistry and calculus and 3's in APUSH and music theory.
My weak points include chemistry and.. i'm slow at math but i love understanding the concepts behind everything.
I don't feel ready to declare a major yet, and I think that a good LAC will allow me to find what career I want to pursue in the future. </p>

<p>I want to know which one i should apply early decision to; otherwise, i would apply to all.
Thus, I have been looking at three schools recently.</p>

<p>Pomona College:
Pros:
-weather will be really nice compared to here in the East.
-allowed to take classes in the 5C
-able to major in computer science if i feel destined to do so (however, is it reputable there? i heard it shares faculty and resources with Harvey Mudd. If i major computer science at a liberal arts school, won't grad schools or employers view it as weak?)</p>

<p>Cons:
-No one knows about it.
-I have a limited amount of careers i can choose from.</p>

<p>Harvey Mudd College
Pros:
Excellent school, and teachers are easily accessible.
I can take classes in the 5C.
Good computer science, I hear.
Good reputation, despite being a small college.</p>

<p>Cons:
I read on this site that if you struggled through High school to get good grades, then Harvey Mudd isn't the place for you. Is that true? i worked my butt off in high school, and i did not excel in science; although i did do well in calculus and other subjects. Does it matter for Computer Science?
I heard people there are really nerdy, and although i consider myself a nerd, i do have a social life.
I can work really hard, but this past year, I realized i can't work hard without having time to breathe. It seems that Harvey Mudd would seriously kill me.</p>

<p>Dartmouth:
Pros:
the school also has a computer science department, but i'm not sure if it's that good, for Dartmouth IS a liberal arts school.
Small and intimate class sizes--seminars
I can really develop my individuality here.</p>

<p>Cons:
Worse weather than the other two.
I want to work in the west in the future. I have relatives there and i like it much more than the east. I heard that if you go to an East coast school, it is less reputable in the west. I'm really not sure what Dartmouth is good at... it seems like a school that will give you an experience and education than really a set path. That is exactly what i want, but is that a bad thing? </p>

<p>Where should i apply early decision to?? or is there any other school i should apply to??</p>

<p>All these schools have people that i'm sure that i would be comfortable living with throughout an entire year.</p>

<p>I am also looking at Brown, Swarthmore, Yale, Rice.
Also, I'm starting to come out of the recent hype of being an engineer or working at a place like Google. My strong points do not lie there, but I don't know what else to consider. This past summer, I've thought of being either a professor, lawyer, and psychologist. One of my main debates is the whole career issue--how much money i'll make in the future and how easy it is to get a job. I actually thought of getting a philosophy major, but i was told that it is extremely unpractical, and i will be left without a job. </p>

<p>Should i worry about that now? I cannot make up my mind yet. Is it bad that I am applying to schools based on the fact that i can't decide what i want to major in and i want to further develop my individuality?</p>

<p>O, and this is the results of a career test i took recently.
Career Inventory Test Results
*</p>

<p>Extroversion ||||||||| 30%
Emotional Stability |||||||||||||||||||||||| 73%
Orderliness |||||||||||||||||||||||| 76%
Altruism ||||||||| 30%
Inquisitiveness ||||||||||||||||||||| 66%</p>

<p>You are a Planner, possible professions include - management consultant, economist, scientist, computer programmer, environmental planner, new business developer, curriculum designer, administrator, mathematician, psychologist, neurologist, biomedical researcher, strategic planner, civil engineer, intellectual properties attorney, designer, editor/art director, inventor, informational-graphics designer, financial planner, judge.*</p>

<p>and results from an interests test:*
People with blue Interests like job responsibilities and occupations that involve creative, humanistic, thoughtful, and quiet types of activities. Blue Interests include abstracting, theorizing, designing, writing, reflecting, and originating, which often lead to work in editing, teaching, composing, inventing, mediating, clergy, and writing. *
*</p>

<p>People with yellow styles perform their job responsibilities in a manner that is orderly and planned to meet a known schedule. They prefer to work where things get done with a minimum of interpretation and unexpected change. People with a yellow style tend to be orderly, cautious, structured, loyal, systematic, solitary, methodical, and organized, and usually thrive in a research-oriented, predictable, established, controlled, measurable, orderly environment. You will want to choose a work environment or career path in which your style is welcomed and produces results.
*</p>

<p>Yeah.. i really don't know. please help!</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
Pomona College:
...
Cons:
-No one knows about it.
-I have a limited amount of careers i can choose from.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You're asking the wrong people. And, a liberal arts education and degree will open countless doors for you. You yourself will ultimately choose which to walk through and how many to close.</p>

<p>
[quote]
One of my main debates is the whole career issue--how much money i'll make in the future and how easy it is to get a job. I actually thought of getting a philosophy major, but i was told that it is extremely unpractical, and i will be left without a job.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Ideally, one goes to college to explore academic passions and to grow intellectually and socially. Most people go into fields that are completely unrelated to what they chose to major in in college. Also, most people enter college undecided in terms of what they'd like to study. You're certainly not alone. In regard to choosing which schools to apply to, you should invest the time to visit schools, experiencing first kind the location and kind of environment/student body you'd like to be a part of.</p>

<p>With an education at any of the schools which you've mentioned, you'll be well-prepared to pursue high paying and diverse careers--if that's what you're interested in doing.</p>

3

<p>"I read on this site that if you struggled through High school to get good grades, then Harvey Mudd isn't the place for you. Is that true? i worked my butt off in high school, and i did not excel in science; although i did do well in calculus and other subjects. Does it matter for Computer Science?
I heard people there are really nerdy, and although i consider myself a nerd, i do have a social life.
I can work really hard, but this past year, I realized i can't work hard without having time to breathe. It seems that Harvey Mudd would seriously kill me."</p>

<p>My friend goes to Harvey Mudd. She was a fantastic student (salutorian) of our class. She loves it there, but states that the curriculum is impossibly difficult. Do not be surprised that you, a great student, get C's, D's, and F's when you first get there if you attend.</p>

<p>And about Pomona. I think this would be the best suited for you from your description. Make no mistake, any of their departments offered are excellent. And the people who have heard of it, matter. Don't think that just because its a liberal arts college, people think much less of it. This is one of the top schools in the country, no doubt</p>

4

<p>I would definitely scratch out Harvey Mudd. It sounds like you'd be forcing yourself to go there thinking you'll get the best of both worlds an lac and pre professional school. which in reality will end up being the complete opposite of what you want.</p>

<p>I think you honestly would do best at Pomona if you can get in. I would stick with schools like pomona, and that will most likely be liberal art colleges. Research universities tend to not really offer the close interaction you could have at a school like pomona. i think even for some of the other claremonts, class participation or meeting with your professor during their office hours becomes mandatory.</p>

5

<p>I think you secretly favour Pomona :)</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
I would definitely scratch out Harvey Mudd. It sounds like you'd be forcing yourself to go there thinking you'll get the best of both worlds an lac and pre professional school. which in reality will end up being the complete opposite of what you want.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Seconded (10char)</p>

7

<p>You have a wide range of interests, and probably should consider fairly large, comprehensive schools that offer many programs. Harvey Mudd is not a good idea for you. I was thinking of places like Northwestern, Cornell, NYU, USC, top state unversities (Michigan, UCLA, UNC, UT Austin). Boston U and George Washington are big schools that should be easy match/safety level for you.</p>

8

<p>Yeah, it sounds like the core at HMC would kill you. You'll have to get through 3 semesters of physics, 2 of chem, and 1 of bio, and they're all taught at a difficult level. Since you had to work really hard at you HS science, the core science would make you miserable.</p>

9

<p>"Yeah, it sounds like the core at HMC would kill you. You'll have to get through 3 semesters of physics, 2 of chem, and 1 of bio, and they're all taught at a difficult level. Since you had to work really hard at you HS science, the core science would make you miserable."</p>

<p>Don't forget 4 semesters math, 1 semester comp sci, 1 semester systems engineering....</p>

<p>Look, here is the truth of the matter:
Mudd is hard. Yes. However, grades are not everything. If you feel that you have something to contribute to math/science/engineering and you want crazy resources, then consider Mudd. Every so often there is a gem that never quite could pull off great grades or test scores.</p>

<p>There are many people here who one would believe they are an average person...maybe even a little ditzy or jock-like (or even mega party-goers!). However, put these people in a particular field of study and they are quite-nearly savants. They are not good at everything or many things...but they have a completely different approach to problems and that uniqueness is worth incubating.</p>

<p>It is really up to you...</p>

10

<p>ahh icic. i was actually interested in harvey mudd because i heard the school actually trains students well in the humanities. also, you can take classes at the 5C.
i was thinking that i could get a major in psychology or something from pomona college too.
the thing that's holding me back from getting that great education at harvey mudd, isn't the hard workingness; it's whether or not i can explore different paths in college. i think i'll look more to the small ivys for both a liberal arts education and versatility.</p>

11

<p>Based on the above post, you should consider looking into University of Chicago.</p>

12

<p>Also, Dartmouth.</p>

13

<p>With all of those colleges, I think reputation is the least of your worries. They are all very respected institutions in both the educational world and the workforce.</p>

<p>I'm gonna have to agree with many other posters on this board, I think the core at HMC is going to make it more difficult for you if you do decide to change your mind.
Of the three, I would suggest Pomona. Small class sizes, strong liberal arts education, the consortium. That school really is a gem. I'm almost 100% certain that the computer science department there is strong, but you can always check it out just to make sure.</p>

<p>I would definitely make sure you do all the neccessary research and visit the schools before you decide to apply ED. Don't view ED as just a boost in the application process. You should be head over heels in love with a school to apply ED (ok, so that is a little over the top...but you get my point). It seems like you are pretty indecisive and don't have a firm grasp on what these schools are all about. Visit them, do more research, sign up for the mailing letters. It would be really unfortunate if you applied to a school ED just because you think you should apply to a school ED, only to find out it isn't a fit for you after all.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

14

<p>threefive, I read your post and felt like I was looking back a year into the past. I really do like math and have done well in it, been interested in computers, worried about getting a job, the prestige of colleges, location, etc. and let me tell you it is a very personal choice and one that will not be solved by someone posting a genius response on CC. Still, this board is probably one of your better resources and I'd like to offer my insight so you can make a more educated decision.</p>

<p>In late April I had a really tough choice deciding between Rice, UChicago, Dartmouth, and Pomona. I had applied early to Yale and was deferred then rejected but still has several really great options available. I thought for a long time about a lot of different factors and started ranking the schools accords to various categories but ultimately it came down to two things: Where I would be happiest, and which would best prepare me for life.</p>

<p>Spoiler alert: I chose Dartmouth. I was hesitant because it was more expensive than Rice, the weather wasn't as good as Pomona's, and it might be a bit less prestigious than UChicago, but every time I think about it I know I made the right decision. In addition to being a small step above the rest (apologies to MIT, Stanford), and ivy league education will also get you the connections you may need for a great job. Dartmouth alum are fiercely loyal, as demonstrated by their high rate of giving back to the school. This commitment to helping other Dartmouth students doesn't just come out of thin air, though, and its the magnificent years they spend on campus that generate this enthusiasm. I've spoken with many alum (they're so excited to talk with prospective and new students, the interview was amazing!) and they all say they are envious of me because I get to spend the next four years at 'Camp Dartmouth'.</p>

<p>I was lucky enough to visit Pomona and CMC during the summer before I applied and was really blown away. The campus was beautiful and I loved the friendly setting, but when push came to shove, I knew (and still know) that Dartmouth is the place for me. If you haven't visited, you should try to go some time. Everyone was equally as nice to me as at Pomona and all seemed genuinely excited about having the opportunity to convince someone else to go to 'the college on the hill'. Haha, I knew I was when I first started reading your post. Sorry, it's late and I'm rambling at this point, but I wish you the best of luck in your applications and in making your final decision. You seem to really like Pomona and there's no doubt that it's a great school, but if you are still considering applying early to Dartmouth feel free to send me a private message and we can chat more.</p>

<p>P.S. For some reason I seem to remember that Pomona has two rounds of early decision. Have you considered applying somewhere else first then doing ED2 at Pomona if that fell through?</p>