<p>I love the Claremont Colleges and the consortium, but I'm not sure which ones I should apply to. I'm not really a math/science geek (I mean that as a compliment), so Harvey Mudd isn't really for me, I'm a boy, so Scripps is out, and CMC has more of conservative, preppy/jock bent (not that that's a bad thing), so that leaves Pomona and Pitzer.</p>
<p>With a 33 ACT, 3.8 UW GPA, tough courseload, strong ECs, etc. I feel like Pomona is a big reach for me. It seems like the Stanford of liberal arts colleges, and I already have a fairly lengthy list of colleges (most of which are matches), so I'm not sure if I should bother. Pitzer, on the other hand, I feel like I have a good shot at (although the acceptance rate has certainly plummeted in recent years). So I guess my question is what are the students like at Pitzer? I would imagine as it's become more competitive, it's less hippies/slackers and more serious students (of course, this is just a stereotype), but I worry that 1) people will look down on me for going to Pitzer and 2) I would be sufficiently challenged. At the same time, I'm afraid that if I go to Pomona, it will be super competitive and almost like an East Coast LAC transplanted to the West. Can anyone provide me with some insight/advice on this topic?</p>
<p>Hello there SgtDonut! As a current Pomona student I feel like I can help you out.</p>
<p>First and foremost, Pitzer has become a reach for most students as the 5th most selective liberal arts college according to acceptance rate. Pitzer works as a reach in a different way than Pomona though. Pomona is extremely selective, and Pitzer is test-optional and somewhat selective. But Pitzer truly tries to seek a community that represent its ideals- this fit is much more important to them than other factors. You can have a 2400 and be valedictorian and you will be rejected from Pitzer if you don’t show why you belong there.</p>
<p>Pitzer’s reality is not hippie or slackers based on my personal experience but rather folks bent with a concern for the world around them. Pitzer emphasizes community, human understanding, and sociology. When you talk to a Pitzer student, you will be stunned by their goals and aspirations for the world. </p>
<p>Pomona is difficult to stereotype and a completely different place than Pitzer. I would say our school is like a collective unity of the other schools as well as some other identities: concerned and worldly students of Pitzer, women who can show the world what they’re capable of, humanistic scientists of Harvey Mudd, political activists and those of that path like CMC’ers. We also have intellectuals (though we don’t capitalize on that) and students who tend to be more undecided about what they want to do. Pomona is like a little university in terms of the diversity of the student body and it offers a niche for almost every student.</p>
<p>Pitzer is a respected institution by 5C students. I as a Pomona student love how Pitzer students tend to be more “do” than “say”. They are definitely smart and insightful, and I’ve made many good friends at Pitzer; I truly am thankful for the opportunity of being tied to such a unique school. That element of respect is not seen by those who are ignorant about the school and don’t realize that Pitzer is not worse, but different. Pitzer is such a new school that the pace it’s accelerating is stunning; it will have an amazing reputation soon.</p>
<p>Classes are definitely hard at Pitzer, and it has stunning programs in the fields it emphasizes, such as behavioral science and psychology. My friends get tons of readings and difficult grading from the professors there, but they say more importantly the class really impacts who they are. The classes that Pitzer doesn’t emphasize, especially in math and physical science, are easier than those at Pomona or Harvey Mudd, but since you aren’t a math and science person expect to be challenged at Pitzer.</p>
<p>Your assumptions on Pitzer are either outdated or very misinformed.</p>
<p>As for the other point on Pomona:</p>
<p>Pomona is not competitive. At all. No one discusses their grades, SATs, or accomplishments to make a point about themselves. Mentoring programs are abound here and classes are meant to emphasize collaboration, not cutthroatness. It’s stunning seeing that from such a competitive class, but I’ve never encountered that.</p>
<p>As for the East Coast comparison, despite being similarly selective to the grand LACs of the east coast(in terms of endowment, class quality, professor accessibility, and selectivity of the class), in most particular William, Swarthmore, and Amherst, Pomona is different. How?
- School culture- more laid-back, work-hard play-hard, friendly, and low-key students
- Consortium is far more of a presence at Pomona than at the other three
- Weather and different architecture.
- Harder to stereotype- doesn’t really side to one aspect. Big element of balance.
- Probably the most intimate college experience of any in the country- everyone really cares about you here.</p>
<p>So should I even bother with Pomona or just stick with Pitzer and hope I get in?</p>
<p>Apply to both. Remember you can take a major at Pomona while accepted into Pitzer.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>someone who is also applying to Dartmouth, Tulane and in particular USC would not feel uncomfortable at CMC. </p>
<p>btw: you might want to pare that list down. UChicago does not fit with the culture of the above three.</p>
<p>My son is applying to both. If accepted to both, I think he will have difficulty choosing. </p>
<p>Our feelings after visiting last year:</p>
<p>Pomona is certainly not like our East Coast schools. Much more relaxed. Certainly agree with nostalgicwisdom that it is low-key students. Knowledge gained is not measured by hours locked in the library. Pomona has a more geographically divers student body as compared to Pitzer. Pomona’s campus was more appealing to us (multiple fountains, more grass space).</p>
<p>Pitzer felt friendlier to us, but we could easily have been swayed by our very small tour group and 2 student guides. Pitzer is very small in terms of student number. Pitzer’s aid is not as generous as Pomona.</p>
<p>He didn’t embrace the vegetable garden and Pitzer’s clear commitment to environmentally conscience landscaping. This gives him pause that he may not “bleed” the Pitzer type. Other aspects of his personality certainly fit well with Pitzer (community service).</p>
<p>Pitzer permits transgender rooms. Both parties need to agree, but this is an example of Pitzer’s attitude to accept all. If I have to compare Pitzer to any East Coast schools, it is most similar to a Quaker attitude.</p>
<p>My son has similar stats (slightly higher test/lower UW GPA). He considers both high reach schools.</p>
<p>Both schools share some wonderful resources (library was amazing) and combine to field sports teams. Both schools offer the wonderful views of the mountains and great outdoor experiences. </p>
<p>I’d advise to apply to both if the only reason you are second guessing Pomona is fear of rejection.</p>
<p>Try to visit if you can. I got very VERY different “vibes” from each of the Claremont schools I visited and while they are each fantastic in their own way, my own personal feelings were of extreme comfort and happiness at one, really liked a second, but would have been uncomfortable and not felt like I fit in at a third. Just based on visiting, of course, which obviously is just a small window into the place!</p>