Intl St: Why Whitman and not Pomona??!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Whitman College
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<p>Hi, I am an international student from Egypt and I was hoping that you could help me decide between these two wonderful colleges. Unfortunately I won’t be able to schedule a visit before I make my decision so any advice will be heartily welcomed. </p>

<p>// As you may have noticed the title of this thread is visibly inclined towards Whitman rather than Pomona but this only because I created the same thread (reverse title) in the Pomona camp. So feel free to be biased, but obviously a more comparative, analytical and balanced account would be more helpful…</p>

<p>A quick profile: </p>

<p>Academic Interests:
I am interested in a myriad of things, but my main interests are in Physics and Neuroscience, I also share a deep interest in Philosophy and Cognitive science. I speak five languages, but my Japanese and Portuguese is not that good, so I was hoping to improve on that and I also would like to learn Russian someday. </p>

<p>Other Interests:
I am a big literature and music lover. I am a voracious reader and an amateur musician, I played the Violin as a kid and I am a Progressive/Techno DJ. Apparently I have an eye for writing fiction, but I never do it unless I am forced to.
I also enjoy architecture very much, but I never stepped the line beyond mere visual enjoyment, domage. I am equally a big movie fan (those that actually have a plot), and have a 200+ collection title.
Currently I am working on an internet startup, a cyber-information-network that aims to give birth to Tim Berners-Lee’s vision of the Semantic Web in an inductive fashion, but at this stage it’s a more .nyet if you catch the drift. </p>

<p>Some Concepts that I like:
Honor Code (only Haverford's and Reed's)
Individually advised curriculum
Winter Study
Integrated Science
Oxbridge style Tutorial
Senior Thesis</p>

<p>Amenities:
I enjoy the outdoors, so I wouldn’t mind doing some of that.
Where I come from it’s almost an anomaly if it rains, so I wouldn’t mind a bit of snow. As a side note, I actually find Norway’s weather quite appealing but only because it’s light for 6 month and dark for the rest, and they have magnificent fjords.
I don’t mind the seclusion (I actually find the idea of Deep Springs College quite appealing, but I found about it too late to apply), but I request tasty food and nice, spacious dorms. </p>

<p>Other random facts: </p>

<p>Philosophical leanings:
Cynicism (Diogenes)
Zen
Nietzsche
Analytical Philosophy (Russell, Wittgenstein)</p>

<p>Musical leanings:
Classical Music
Electronic Music
Progressive Rock (mostly Bjork, The Knife and Sigur R</p>

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<p>I chose between the two based on $$. Whitman gave me considerably more, so that’s where I’m going. However, overall I think Pomona is a slightly stronger school, with better weather and a program that Whitman doesn’t (neuroscience). But Whitman has a better debate team and a very good environmental program.</p>

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<p>Thanks WordSpinner, but in what terms would you say that Pomona is a slightly stronger school, and could you highlight some of the notable similarities and differences (my emphasis) between these two colleges.</p>

<p>Pomona has a CogSci and a Neuroscience department which is not available at Whitman, but Whitman offers the BBMB major (biochem, biophys, molecbio) which is unique to Whitman and offers the same opportunities (correct me if I am wrong).
My understanding is that Neuroscience is a nascent field (Princeton only offers a concentration instead of a full major) and interdisciplinary field, and Whitman seems to have somethings going for it in that direction, so it kind of evens out for me.</p>

<p>Pomona’s weather is definitely better, but I’ve lived for 18 years in a Casi-Mediterranean climate (slightly warmer+more smog) so a bit of snow and cold weather (unless it’s overwhelming) is a welcomed change.</p>

<p>I realize that Pomona has a bigger endowment (by a wide margin), a great consortium (another unique feature), and slightly more diversity (but only in terms of African American and Hispanics). But I kind of feel a more intimate connection to Whitman. I think you can put it that way: Pomona has the beach, the mountain and the desert, but Whitman actually offers a more engaging and fulfilling outdoors program…</p>

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<p>Legato, I’ll give you my insights into Whitman for what they’re worth. I have a son who is in his first year, studying Physics, and he chose Whitman over Pomona. While I can’t speak specifically to your academic interests I can address some of your other points. Yes, Whitman is a very intimate campus while offering a wide variety of opportunities for the kids to engage their interests. Nearly 15% of the student body is involved somehow with the music program…there will be a place for you to fit in and there are practice rooms available (my son has his own key, can practice any time of day). There are even music lessons in a wide variety of instruments that you can take for credit. The outdoor program is well-run and easily accessible; this semester there was a snowboarding/ski class that met every Thursday afternoon at a nearby resort (vans took the kids to the mountain). If you decide to go don’t miss the opportunity to participate in a Scramble…the week-long outdoor adventures for incoming freshmen. There is an on-campus radio station that is very popular and allows anyone who wants to the opportunity to have their own show. The intramural sports program is very popular and very easy to participate in; my son is playing on a volleyball team where he is the only one to have ever played before! The new gymnasium is going to be beautiful and the outdoor climbing wall will be quite amazing. Most importantly, however, is the intellectual vibe on campus. These are kids who love to learn and they work hard. My son says everyone studies hard so the environment supports their efforts to do well. These are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, it is a very special place. Good luck with your decision, these are exciting times for you!</p>

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<p>^ at Pomona you can also take a wide variety of music lessons (paid for by the college) and receive a key to practice at any time of day.</p>

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<p>That was really helpful kbl!!! But I was wondering if you could shed some light on the differences/similarities between the two; and since your son has been in the same agonizing situation, then why did he choose Whitman over Pomona??
I won’t be able to travel halfway across the globe to visit so that would be really helpful.</p>

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<p>I am also a parent, not a student–but am familiar with both schools and commend you for having a great choice. They are indeed very different schools and you cannot really go “wrong” since you will have a great educational opportunity either way. I think your sense of an “intimate connection” to Whitman is important to notice. Pomona is a small school but in a in a consortium so it does not wind up having the intimate community feel that is a hallmark at Whitman. What I have found so impressive at Whitman is the warmth and friendliness of the community and the rich way in which students are drawn into a wide array of activities (and seem to have a lot of fun while also working very hard.) If you want an experience that is non-Mediterranean (eg: true fall, mild winter, real spring), a great outdoors program that is really accessible, great music opportunities, and a wonderful science program, Whitman has it all. You can always go to Claremont for the graduate program…And the air quality is way better in Walla Walla…</p>

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<p>Thank you very much mmaah, how about the academics??</p>

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<p>Truthfully, it became a decision based on where he would rather live for 4 years. The day we visited Pomona was so smoggy that we couldn’t see the mountains. Now, the campus itself is beautiful and the town is charming but the smog was awful ( I know everyone says the smog isn’t that bad anymore but it sure was the day we were there). Whitman is a marked contrast in it’s location. It’s remote, yes, but it has a healthy outdoor vibe that really attracted my “backpacker” son. Life is a little slower without the major city close by but the lifestyle really fits my son’s preferences.</p>

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<p>There is a way in which academics is what you make it, wherever you go. The profs in both institutions are there (instead of a university for example) because they love to teach. And the “academic” value of a school is in being able to connect to profs who share and inspire your interests. That will happen at both Pomona and Whitman if you seek it. So given that they are comparable kinds of institutions, then the relevant variable, in my opinon, is this: In which community/locale will you feel most comfortable and inspired to open yourself to the academic opportunities? “Sense of place” is important. We all want a comfortable “habitat” and you need to be listening to what your whole self is telling you about what would be a satisfying academic “home” for 4 years. It is hard to have to make a decision without visiting but I bet all your inspection of the evidence you’ve gathered will give you a sense of where is the best “feel”. Try not to let number/fame/prestige drive your decision because the really important element is where you can settle and have some fun and make friends while also getting a rich academic opportunity. That is available in both places and you will make it happen, wherever you go.</p>

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<p>^^^^
Very well said!</p>

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<p>Here are some links to info about some of the kinds of academic research opportunities:</p>

<p>[Biology</a> professors receive $225,000 AREA grant from National Institutes of Health](<a href=“http://www.whitman.edu/content/news/areagrant]Biology”>http://www.whitman.edu/content/news/areagrant)</p>

<p>[Increase</a> in Perry Awards for summer research :The Pioneer | Whitman news, delivered.](<a href=“http://whitmanpioneer.com/news/2009/04/16/increase-in-perry-awards-for-summer-research/]Increase”>http://whitmanpioneer.com/news/2009/04/16/increase-in-perry-awards-for-summer-research/)</p>

<p>Also: my son has found it very possible to set up independent study (really an Oxford style tutorial) in some areas of particular interest so the profs are very open to developing your own academic path. There is even the option of an individually developed major if that appeals to you; it is reputed to be some work to defend your design to the faculty–but it does happen and students who do it value it.</p>

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<p>Pomona is my vote, if you don’t mind some smog, and being near LA. The foothills are pretty though. Hardly anyone gets into Pomona from our area. Students that got into Stanford and Harvard didn’t even get accepted to Pomona. It was my first choice for academic reasons, but I am happy with Whitman. I visited Whitman a few days ago and liked it a lot! By the way, the climate in southeastern Washington is very different from the coastal areas near Seattle or Portland.</p>

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<p>I have been following this thread, and decided to add my two cents for what it is worth. My D was accepted to both, and chose Whitman, so we visted and researched both schools. My feelings is that you would get a world class education at both schools, and it is more the non academic issues that may lead you to choose one over the other.</p>

<p>Go to Pomona if

  1. You like the idea of the 5 school consortium and want opportunities to major in areas that your school may not have a major in
  2. Prestige and access to area companies is important
  3. You don’t mind not having multiple seasons, and like the sun
  4. You like watching football and other sports even if it is not a huge sport
  5. You want access to a large city and more cultural opportunities</p>

<p>Go to Whitman if…

  1. You want a more intimate college experience
  2. You are interested in multiple activities, especially those that occur outdoors. Every time I have visited there have been students playing a variety of sports in the quad.
  3. You like a small community and town
  4. You like an active theatre community
  5. You want to involve yourself in many college activities, ie radio, student paper, theatre, music, debate, outdoors. I get the sense it is easier to do many of these activities at Whitman, but I don’t have strong evidence for this belief.</p>
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<p>I am really thankful to all of you for your comments and insights. Mille Mercis!! It’s been interesting to notice that while I’ve received more posts at Whitman than at Pomona on CC. At Facebook, where I posted the same question it’s been 56 to 26 in favor of Pomona! It must be mentioned, however, that the Pomona group has twice as much members as Whitman, I wonder why?</p>

<p>Anyway, I should say that ATM Whitman has my heart while Pomona has my mind. That said, I still love Pomona and I have no doubt that can get more than an excellent education at Whitman. I was just wondering the 5 College consortium, 1 billion+ endowment (does it really matter??) plus Pomona’s academics offerings (David Foster Wallace taught there before his tragic death, R.I.P) collaborate to create a considerable disparity in Academics between Pomona and Whitman.</p>

<p>To mmaah:</p>

<p>I would like to personally thank again you for your insights.</p>

<p>To lilweiglas:</p>

<p>We’re you admitted to Pomona? What do you think the differences between the two? Do you think that Whitman is not on par to Pomona when it comes to Academics? </p>

<p>To orygunmum:</p>

<p>I would really appreciate if you could shed some light on why your D chose Whitman over Pomona.</p>