<p>Hello, my twin brother and I were fortunate enough to be admitted to both Amherst and Pomona.
We live in NYC, and have not visited either institution. In our applications we illustrated a passion for chemistry (which we have) but since we submitted our applications we are leaning more towards Economics/ Law oriented fields.</p>
<p>I have researched each school thoroughly but am still very split- I have not visited either campus but have plans to visit both on their admitted student days/weekends.</p>
<p>Pomona sounds like a resort- sounds like almost all students are happy being there. The weather is great, the campus is an amalgamation of 4 other prestigious colleges and there are 12 dining rooms to choose from- let alone death by chocolate day and ski/beach day. It seems as if the administration really wants the students to have a positive experience at Pomona.</p>
<p>Atmosphere wise Pomona seems to be more what I am looking for- laid back but hard working; not that preppy.</p>
<p>However, on the east coast Amherst is much more widely known (from what I can tell and people's reactions). Most people at Amherst seem to also be happy or satisfied with their experience. The weather is not as great but its not horrible either. It has that (what my mom called) "romantic" Liberal Arts college feel. However, I fear that it is too small for me, but am not sure since I have not visited. I know it has surrounding colleges (Smith, MoHo and UMASS AMherst) but its not directly adjacent to Amherst like the Claremont consortium.</p>
<p>In addition- the dorms at Pomona are described as palatial, especially for upperclassmen, but I am not sure about those at Amherst.</p>
<p>I got a full scholarship to Pomona, and am waiting on Amherst's deal. Even if however, Amherst gave me less money, I might be able to leverage Amherst's fin aid officers.</p>
<p>However both are closely ranked by Wall Street Journal's top feeder schools. Amherst is #9 while Pomona is # 13 (but places a higher percentage of students to Harvard Law than Duke or Columbia). Which college do you think could potentially give me a better chance at getting into that top law/business school?</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post- any responses are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Harvard Law School and Yale Law School Per Capita Representation:</p>
<p>Harvard Law School Per Capita Numbers, Top 10 (2006):</p>
<p>Rank Name Ratio
1 Harvard University 6.80
2 Yale University 11.69
3 Stanford University 20.67
4 Amherst College 22.68
5 Princeton University 22.76
6 Swarthmore College 28.90
7 Brown University 29.98
8 Dartmouth College 30.69
9 Williams College 31.47
10 Columbia University 36.07
…
13 Pomona College 42.56</p>
<p>Yale Law School Per Capita Numbers, Top 10 (2006):
<p>It sounds like you want to attend Pomona, but you seem hesitant to because of perceived prestige and possible placement into law school. You seem to find pluses for Pomona, and point out the flaws of Amherst.
You can’t go wrong with either. I don’t think there is a significant advantage in attending one over the other, it’s just a matter of what school do you prefer?</p>
<p>Alright, I’ll give you an objective assessment now:</p>
<p>Amherst’s weather is a wonder to behold, to be quite honest. In the early fall, there were such heavy rainstorms on occasion that there would be torrents flowing down the hill. During the winter, snowstorms came as a surprise, and it seemed as if we were living in a marshmallow world for a while. The upside to the unpredictability and New England weather is that you appreciate the glorious and beautiful sunny days all the more.</p>
<p>We have one dining hall, Valentine, the ire of many, many students. I love eating, and I do have high standards, but I can’t complain. We have great variety, but you have to spend time to be creative to make something delicious. Pomona seems amazing for food in the same way that Midd does.</p>
<p>In terms of atmosphere, a great deal of the student body here is athletic, and many are preppy. However, even our athletes are dedicated intellectuals whom you’ll come to respect… when they’re sober. Amherst is the most socioeconomically and ethnically diverse of the elite LACs, fyi.</p>
<p>Fair warning: the Amherst campus is small.</p>
<p>Our FIRST YEAR dorms are palatial. Upperclassmen dorms: mansions, not palaces. We don’t have maid service, though: sorry.</p>
<p>You really should visit. Perhaps you’ll love it.</p>
<p>if Amherst was ranked next to Pomona, and everything in regards to the “statistics” that seem to separate them were Identical would you still choose Amherst? </p>
<p>Visualize yourself at both, if you were in the Fall at Pomona would you have in the back of your mind doubts if you’ve made the right decision, would you do the same for Amherst? There’s always a clear one that stands out that doesn’t leave you with the “what if”</p>
<p>Follow your gut (after the visits). Both schools offer ample prestige, first-rate undergrad educations, and opportunties for grad school/careers.</p>
<p>As for prestige, those who need to know, (Law Schools and Graduate Schools), know both schools well. If you do well in college, it won’t matter whether you went to Amherst or Pomona. They are both outstanding and you will get into law school. Personally, I would cast a vote for Amherst.</p>
<p>Going to the other side of the country will be a learning experience in itself; beyond that, it sounds like you anticipate the atmosphere will be better at Pomona. The choice seems very clear to me.</p>
<p>I’d have a hard time advising against a full ride to Pomona.</p>
<p>Overall academics in the non-sciences are equal to Amherst, better in the sciences (especially in chemistry).</p>
<p>Reputation is virtually identical.</p>
<p>kwu’s numbers are not being challenged by me, but must be understood in context. Pomona grads are much, much more likely to stay on the west coast. Many would turn down a positiion at Harvard or Yale Law for Berkeley or UCLA without thinking twice. Similar story for MBA programs - and there are 3 times the number of east coast:west coast programs in the top 10 MBA listing. This major league skews the interpretation of these numbers.</p>
<p>Are you and your twin sticking together or likely to attend different schools? It’s off topic and nosy, but I am curious.</p>
<p>My daughter LOVES Pomona. Her sponsor group has been loads of fun and very compatible. She found a job easily and is playing a sport. Study groups formed quickly for the tougher classes she had.</p>
<p>A full ride to Pomona is difficult to turn down and I would look long and hard before taking such action. What I like about Amherst is the open curriculum. Also, I happen to prefer the area of Amherst to the location of Pomona College. Pomona can be smoggy and hot. Yes, I’ll concede that Amherst is cold. The area next to Pomona is both charming and quaint, as is Amherst, but I just like the area of Amherst. In reality, you can’t go wrong with either school. I don’t envy you having to make a choice between the two schools. I do strongly recommend that you choose the school you feel is the best fit for you if money is not an issue.</p>
<p>In all fairness, I know someone who is graduating Pomona in May and they have had the most incredible educational experience one could ask for. Also, has made great connections.</p>
<p>I do think that once Amherst receives my missing forms I will get comparable aid to Pomona’s- and if not I heard Amherst matches and sometimes even exceeds another school’s aid.</p>
<p>We do think we will be attending the same college, but nothing is 100%. It’s possible that I would like one over the other while my twin will have the opposite preference. However, my parents prefer that we go to the same school because it makes things easier (moving in, coming home for breaks etc).</p>
<p>To SoCaDad- there were posts about Smog at Pomona- several which dispelled the severity of the smog, and some saying they have never even noticed it.</p>
<p>Im really intrigued with the Amherst area since many have told me how cultured/quaint and charming it is. It will be something I will be sure to thoroughly investigate during my visit.</p>
<p>There are times where the smog isn’t that bad, but there are times there is a haze of varying thickness. I wouldn’t base a decision solely or air quality, but having been to both locations, my opinion is air quality is better at Amherst. What a great predicament to be in. I think sometimes people favor a location that is different from where they are, which is completely understandable. I hope you the financial packages will be equal for you so that you can base the decision on fit.</p>