<p>Alright, so I really like Pomona, I've done the RD thing and now I'm waiting, waiting, waiting... Problem is, Pomona is WAY OUT THERE in California. Now, I LOVE California, and I've been out there a lot because all my family is out there. However, the farthest south I've been is Fresno, which isn't so close, and money has been kinda tight recently so I can't just buy a ticket to visit a school I'm not even into yet. ALSO, I don't know if I'll even have TIME to visit Pomona if I get in! This is a problem since it is one of my favorite schools.</p>
<p>OK, so a few of my friends HAVE visited Pomona, initially really interested, and have come back saying that the people seemed kind of snobby out there! (I go to a regular old public high and these friends are from some really prestigious private schools... and THEY'RE saying Pomona is snobby?) So that makes me worried! What do you all think, anyone who's visited or goes there?</p>
<p>Pomona holds receptions around the country for accepted students, so depending on where you live, you may have the chance to attend one. There are alumni there as well, so you can ask all kinds of questions. And having just returned from Family Weekend, I didn't meet any kids at Pomona who were snobby. Quite the opposite, actually--everybody was so friendly.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>alscharr, Pomona is actually noted for having some of the friendliest and happiest students in the country. My S first visited Pomona and spent a night during accepted students day so if accepted go visit then. The night on campus was the clencher for my son. No turning back after that! Best of luck, coming from the North East Pomona is a dream come true.</p>
<p>In my experience, people at pomona (and really all the Claremont schools) are so friendly the place makes Disneyland seem nasty.</p>
<p>I applied ED2 without having visted and have just returned from Pomona. I live in Maryland, so I am far East as well. I also go to public school. The people there are awesome; so nice, down to earth, and really helpful. I dont know what your friends were talking about. Maybe they just had a bad experience or something. I cant wait to go!!</p>
<p>hey, i go to pomona, so i'll give you my insight. not to sound textbook, but i would say that the overwhelming majority of people here are very, VERY nice! i think some of the prospies that i've had this year might have been nervous at first, but that's natural. both of them ended up applying ed and will be here in the fall, so i'm pretty sure they liked it by the time they left. even a lot of kids on the tours i've given so far have commented on how nice everybody seemed at the end of their tour. so while your friends may have had not the best image of pomona, i don't think it's a common one. personally i would say the kids here at outgoing, hospitable, and just great people in general.</p>
<p>Alright, this is very reassuring, because, besides what my friends have said, I've heard what you guys have been saying, that everyone is extremely nice. :)</p>
<p>We know Pomona is great, the weather is great, and the students are great. Let us get down to the truth -- no other school can claim this trifecta.</p>
<p>Out of curiousity, where do you look for a "back up" school? Not a safety, but a school which you may call the next best thing.</p>
<p>Occidental, CMC, Pitzer.</p>
<p>Try Oxy</p>
<p>From its WP</p>
<p>Occidental College received more than 5,200 applications for admission to the Class of 2010, setting a new record for the eighth consecutive year and once again confirming Occidentals status as one of the countrys hottest colleges.</p>
<p>Preliminary results show that at least 5,219 students submitted applications, up 2 percent from last years record tally. Overall, applications to Occidental have risen a remarkable 180 percent over the past nine years (as compared to 1,865 applications in 1997).</p>
<p>Occidental now receives more applications than three-quarters of U.S. News & World Reports top 50 liberal arts colleges, as reported in last years rankings. While most peer institutions also have seen increases in applications, Occidentals numbers stand out.</p>
<p>Ive worked in admission at four other colleges and universities over the past 40 years, and Ive never seen anything like it, said William Tingley, Occidentals vice president for admission and financial aid. I would be hard-pressed to name another college in the country that has experienced a 180 percent increase over the past nine years.</p>
<p>Oxy's campus is very reminiscent of Pomona's with the Spanish architectural influence. And the students whom we met on our informal walkabout there were quite impressive and from all over the country.</p>