<p>Hi guys, I'm a freshman at Pomona! I really love it here!</p>
<p>At a critical time like this, when you are all deciding between the various schools you are admitted to, it's good to get a representative for such a small school to answer any questions you have!</p>
<p>I'm a Questbridge scholar (low income/first generation), Asian-American, thinking about majoring in math/chem/neuro/molecular bio/sociology/anthropology/history/ridiculously undecided. I turned down Stanford, Yale, Columbia, Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, USC, WUSTL, and UT Honors to come here, so if you are deciding between any of those schools I'd be glad to give my perspective!</p>
<p>Congratulations on being accepted and hope to see many of you for the admitted student days and at fall next year!</p>
<p>I’m an ED1 applicant so I’m already in, but I do have a couple questions. </p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, it seems like Pomona is perhaps more isolated than the other colleges just based on its size and extensive facilities. Having the largest enrollment of the schools, and also the biggest campus, have you found that Pomona kids tend to spend less time intermingling with the other colleges? </p>
<p>I have several friends in my class who will be attending some of the other Claremont schools next year (close friends at Pitzer and Scripps), so I’m wondering how much I can realistically expect to see them. Obviously a big factor in this is whether I make it happen, but I guess I’m wondering if I will automatically have frequent run ins with students from the other colleges or if it’s something I really need to seek out. This question is especially relevant for freshman year, since freshmen are housed on the southern end of campus.</p>
<p>I definitely want to reap the benefits of a small LAC but I also want the chance to constantly meet new people so I’m wondering how easy this is. Thanks!</p>
<p>@PomKid95, I have not. I’ve gotten a couple magazines but nothing else yet. I’m hoping they get the admission days info out soon so I can schedule. I actually haven’t officially visited the campus…I toured and interviewed at CMC and wound up wandering through a small corner of Pomona and getting a good feeling. So I’d definitely like to see my future home at least once before school starts!</p>
<p>PomKid95, we received it yesterday. Info about Admission Days, OA, enrollment info etc. Very detailed. One question - they’re asking for a $500 deposit but since S was admitted ED1 we already paid it. Or is this another one? Does anyone know? I guess I can just email Admissions.</p>
<p>I just received the packet today as well, though mine did not include my financial aid offer. As for your question pommom, I’m pretty sure we don’t have to pay another $500 deposit. It mentioned in the letter that came with my packet that they had already received my deposit so I assume that just applies to RD applicants.</p>
<p>93% of the classes Mudders take are in Mudd.
79.1% of the classes CMC students take are in CMC.
78.9% of the classes Pomona students take are in Pomona.
64% of the classes Pitzer students take are in Pitzer.
54% of the classes Scrippsies take are in Scripps.</p>
<p>So that reputation isn’t really true- plenty of Pomona students take classes at one of the other five colleges.</p>
<p>"I have several friends in my class who will be attending some of the other Claremont schools next year (close friends at Pitzer and Scripps), so I’m wondering how much I can realistically expect to see them. Obviously a big factor in this is whether I make it happen, but I guess I’m wondering if I will automatically have frequent run ins with students from the other colleges or if it’s something I really need to seek out. This question is especially relevant for freshman year, since freshmen are housed on the southern end of campus.</p>
<p>I definitely want to reap the benefits of a small LAC but I also want the chance to constantly meet new people so I’m wondering how easy this is. Thanks!"</p>
<p>Your personal choice, really- you could meet your friends everyday if you wanted to! The great thing about the consortium is that the proximity of all the five colleges makes it a very well-balanced experience.</p>
<p>In social events, every school is represented, and that’s the way you really make friends from the other colleges. You can also take classes at the other classes, join 5C clubs like OTL, or live in another college for a year. In my personal experience, I haven’t really met people from the other 5C’s because I haven’t put in too much incentive to branch out, but that’s not true for some of my friends, who know a lot of people from the other colleges! </p>
<p>Sponsor groups don’t make a huge difference in the time you have to explore the other five colleges. Again, it’s really up to you to decide how close you’ll be to them! The distance isn’t really a factor either- South campus to Scripps is a 7 minute walk.</p>
<p>While you’re comparing Pomona to other schools for muse1564, I would love it if you could explain why you chose it over Williams and Swarthmore. Like you, I’m interested in biology (as well as foreign languages/international affairs), so any specific insights about how the science programs compare would also be much appreciated!</p>
<p>@TheAnti - I have a number of friends at the 5Cs from home. My brother and 2 friends at Pomona (they’re brothers as well), 2 at CMC, and 1 at Harvey Mudd. I honestly see very little of them. I see one a bit due to ultimate frisbee, and my brother because of mock trial, but I rarely see the rest (partly due to my own lack of trying). There’s just so much to do and so many new people here to meet and get to know that you won’t really miss seeing them. However, arranging a dinner or lunch to catch up is pretty easy, so while I don’t see them much, they aren’t far.</p>
<p>Hey there!
I know I might sound really silly, but wanted to to know how gender-neutral housing really plays out? I understand that it’s a concious effort to create a more cohesive campus community and ensure that the LGBT community isn’t discriminated against. But is there any provision for people, who due to religious reasons, can’t share a room with people of the other gender?
I’m don’t mean to come across as prudish or narrow-minded but my parents will be extremely uncomfortable with me sharing a room with a boy or someone who identifies themself as male.</p>
<p>Some of you considering Pomona vs. other colleges might want to search Debakianmj!, as he went through a very illuminating decision process last year. I think his final decision came down to Pomona vs. Stanford; he chose Pomona.</p>
<p>I chose Pomona, too, although I applied ED1, so my preference was built in. For me, the combination of the intellectual culture and the cooperative community was uniquely appealing and exactly what I wanted. The students are unprepossessing, articulate, genuine, brilliant and always willing to help each other. No cutthroat vibe here. Everyone is encouraged and supported in achieving their own personal best. Classes are quite challenging, but everyone can thrive if they put in the work. I toured 21 colleges and Pomona was far and away my favorite! I’ve been here for seven months now, and I love this place!</p>
<p>I think if you check the language on the policy that Pomona gives you the option of gender neutral housing after your first year. No one is required to room with someone of the opposite sex, so it isn’t something your parents need to be concerned with – unless you opt to do it.</p>
<p>EndOfTheWorld, since you are undecided on a major, (or jeancocteau) I am curious what classes you have taken your first year. My daughter is quite undecided also, but looking at the physics track, for example, it looks like it is easier if the student starts right in with Physics and Math from the start. Do most students at least start out in Math courses? The Breadth of Study Requirements seem very minimal.</p>
<p>@mamabear, if she’s considering the physics track, she will likely be advised to embark on the science and math reqs right away. Incoming students don’t actually select classes until they meet with their advisors after arriving in August. The breadth requirements are usually fulfilled quite naturally as everyone pursues their often diverse interests here.</p>
<p>And so do the people who are matched via Questbridge College Match program. Endofworld might have stretched the availability of his choices quite a bit. Student matched in December do not know the individual results, and once matched that it is the end as Pomona’s acceptance is binding. The ranking by QB finalists is not the same as choosing X over Y as it is before acceptance offers. </p>
<p>QB’s Matched Applicants do NOT know the results of the other “offers.” You cannot choose Pomona over Stanford. The decision is made for you. The only possibility is to have an admission at a non-binding school that is not a QB participant. </p>