<p>Hi im the one who posted the same question for PPE a couple of days ago. I really can't decide between Pomona and CMC, though i know i can take some classes at the other college whichever of the two i go to next year. I'm not sure im applying to both since my high school has a fixed quota for every student.</p>
<p>I haven’t had personal experience with either program, so this is just based on what I’ve heard. CMC is definitely the more econ-focused school. Pomona has a good department as well, though. White the typical econ major at both schools is probably motivated by the obvious financial/employment reasons, CMC econ is more businessy and Pomona is more researchy.</p>
<p>There are some CMC-only econ classes, so you’d be theoretically more limited as a Pomona student. But I’ve never actually heard an econ major wish they had more econ classes available to them so this may not be legitimate concern.</p>
<p>Your post reads like you are assuming that you would get into both. Admissions rarely works like that. I applied to maybe six schools of Pomona’s caliber and got into one of them. If you really want to go to Pomona or CMC and the only difference between them you care about is econ, apply to both to increase your odds and cross another school off the list. And try to get an “I’m the smartest kid here and it would look good for you if I got into a good school” exception to the application limit. Those policies are terrible.</p>
<p>The CMC Associate Dean of Admissions actually just came to my school yesterday. From what he said, CMC is very centered around economics. He said that no matter what major you choose, CMC will always make you take classes so you are knowledgeable regarding the economic around your major.</p>
<p>Hi tamatastic, not sure I understood your post, but the Associate Dean was probably referring to the fact that all students are required to take an introductory economics course regardless of your major. The school is well-known for its economics department, it has one of the best economic programs in the country.</p>
<p>A few years back when my daughter was searching for the right college, she spent a few days at each college. Dad liked CMC, he is a business owner and thought CMC offered the most in depth major. He is also more conservative and liked the conservative slant of CMC compared to the other colleges.</p>
<p>Long story shortened, my daughter did not like CMC at all and this is not based on the classes or the professors or how good the college may be, it is an exceptional college. She did not like the social culture of the school and felt it lacked a balance and harmony that was important to her. </p>
<p>Visit the schools you are interested in and spend more than a few hours, talk to students and find out what is important about their college experience. You will discover attributes you may love or hate and ultimately what fits your personality best. </p>
<p>Two great colleges and the econ classes offered – valuable… A happy student - priceless</p>
<p>I agree with TTT7722. I’ve heard enough admissions officers from colleges talk about the average number of times a student changes their major which is nearly 3 times over the course of their college career. 80% of college students will change their major at least once. With statistics like this, it is most important to find a college that you feel good at, the environment, size, town, etc. fits you and makes you ‘feel at home’. Both Pomona and CMC are excellent universities but they are very different in their philosophies. If you can only apply to one, choose the one that you feel most comfortable with the atmosphere and don’t worry about the major - you’ve an 80% chance of changing it anyway.</p>
<p>TTT7722,</p>
<p>I agree both schools are excellent and are somewhat different in their orientation. I hope your daughter is happy with her school ( I assume it is Pomona). I had the same reaction as your husband. The economics program at CMC is less theoretical and more geared for students who want to use the degree to pursue a career in business, finance, accounting or just start their own business. At CMC, a student can minor (called sequences) in finance or leadership and, in addition to the economics major, can also get a degree in economics-accounting. The school has an excellent career services office, and will spend considerable time with every student, helping them to secure great internships and postgraduate jobs in their fields.</p>
<p>As for the school being conservative, I think this is somewhat of a myth perpetuated by people who are not very familiar with the school. Yes, the school is more conservative than Pomona or other elite liberal arts colleges, but I would bet there are more students of the liberal persuasion than of the conservative variety. If you had to categorize the school politically, I would say it is “balanced”. Regarding the lack of balance and harmony, I am not sure what your daughter was referring to, but if you talk to the students at CMC, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love the school. As a matter of fact, CMC is usually at the top of the various lists every year for happiest students in the country. I am not sure how this would happen if the school lacked balance and harmony.</p>
<p>Anyway, I do agree with you that students should visit the schools and see where they feel more comfortable. However, to be honest with you, I think these threads by students, asking which school is better, are kind of silly. The reality is that both schools are very difficult to get into, and the students who ask these questions probably could not get admitted to both schools. So, my advice is to apply to both schools, and if you are fortunate enough to get into one of them, then you will be in the enviable position of having a wonderful choice to make.</p>
<p>yeah, parent57, i was just trying to say that Gregory Sneed (the representative) really stressed the leadership and economics at CMC, since this post is about economics. but obviously both schools have a variety of great programs aside from econ.</p>
<p>Cmc reminds me of a an undergrad biz school like Marshall at USC (though it obviously isn’t) while Pomona is more liberal arts</p>
<p>Hi Failsafe,
I understand your analogy, but CMC is a liberal arts school. Maybe it would be more accurate to say the economics major at CMC is more like Marshall at USC than what you might see at other liberal arts schools, including Pomona.</p>