<p>The thread title pretty much explains it. This is going to be an incredibly tough decision, and I need all the help I can get. I hope it's not excessive or obnoxious that I've posted this thread in all three forums; I'm interested in getting some balanced or at least equally biased input from various sources. Some useful information:</p>
<p>Prospective majors: Mathematics and Physics (but uncertain...also interested in Music, Philosophy, Art History, and Swat's Interpretation Theory minor)</p>
<p>I'm from a small college town (town's putting it strongly...village?) in upstate New York, so I know how miserable such an atmosphere can be. I was initially looking almost exclusively at urban universities [I EDed at Columbia (deferred --> rejected)], but Swarthmore's campus is beautiful and Philadelphia is, I hear, relatively accessible. I do love Chicago though, and the West Coast. </p>
<p>As is probably apparent from my college list finalists, I expect to work hard in college. If anyone has some unique insight into these colleges' social and academic atmospheres, especially compared to one another, I'd really appreciate your advice. </p>
<p>I'm sure there's some info that might be useful that I've neglected to include...just ask. Thanks for your advice.</p>
<p>I have a lot of respect for Swarthmore. Students who go into Swarthmore understanding the workload will really get a great education - maybe the best. I have three friends there who really don’t like it that much, though. One of them is downright miserable. I don’t know anyone who is miserable at Pomona. The Pomona workload is very difficult, but it’s generally manageable (realistic?). At the same time, Pomona’s academics are at the same level as Swarthmore’s.</p>
<p>We’re more laid-back than either those two schools. From what I’ve heard and read, we also have a lot more fun. Having a slogan that says “where fun goes to die” couldn’t even pass of as a joke at Pomona. We have fun. The students here are happy. Swarthmore students have a reputation for being socially awkward. Pomona students, I think, aren’t that nerdy (relatively speaking). But we also work, stress, and learn a lot. I think I can say without any recognizable bias that you’ll have a better (more laid-back, if that’s “better”) social atmosphere at Pomona, while still getting a top-notch education. </p>
<p>We also have great weather. It was 90 degrees yesterday. Keep in mind Chicago has a pretty visible TA presence and is larger. It also has a hefty core, I believe. That should be able to separate it from Pomona and Swat. Each of the schools has access to a great city, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. </p>
<p>You can’t go wrong, though. Swarthmore was one of my top choices. Congratulations on your options. Good luck!</p>
<p>I should also add that the college consortium in Claremont is much more efficient than the Swarthmore consortium, and adds a lot to the Pomona experience. It gives more classes, more events, more people, more dining halls, etc, without taking away Pomona’s appeal as a small school. It was one of the reasons I chose Pomona over Swarthmore.</p>