Is it difficult to fit in socially if you are a male and not on a sports team? Are most social events based on being on a team given there are no fraternities? I would love to hear from current students if possible.
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Hi! So I’m a first year female non-athlete at Pomona. It’s totally possible to fit in socially if you’re not an athlete! Some sports are a bit more isolated in their own community (like track, basketball, baseball, and tennis), but there is a lot of social mingling between sports teams and nonathletes. A lot of sports teams throw parties in their suites or in larger communal spaces. Unlike frats, anyone can attend these parties (although it is best to know someone on the team).
Besides the sports parties, Pomona throws a good number of school sanctioned parties. I go out 2-3 times a week and most of the parties I go to are not at Pomona. Many are at CMC (the unofficial frat of the 5C’s) or Pitzer. All the schools have school-sanctioned parties that are open to all the 5C’s and besides those you have to know when other private parties/social gatherings happen. It really depends on who you become friends with because that is a huge indicator for how your social life will pan out. I should also let you know that most (80-90%) Pomona students don’t party regularly.
Thank you. Do you think it is easier in this respect as a woman than as a man to go to these team parties?
Not particularly; because Pomona is such a small school you begin to know most of the Pomona students who go out or throw parties. It’s best to know someone on the team or have a friend who knows someone. As long as you socialize with people who like to go out fairly early in the semester you will find parties/social gatherings easily (regardless of whether you and your friends are athletes). Also the biggest (and best in my opinion) social events are not thrown by the teams, but rather the schools themselves. You can have a great social life without going to these team parties. However, I want to reemphasize that most Pomona students are not big partiers, but if you want to find that social scene you definitely can find it.
Thank you again. Also, do you know any CS majors? Is it hard to get classes and are you able to take classes at Harvey Mudd? do people seem happy with that major? Finally, is there a theater crowd?
Yup I know several CS majors. It is hard to get into the intro CS courses. That being said, there’s a lot of demand for these classes from non CS majors. If you are a prospective CS major you’ll get into these classes with more ease. Yes, you can definitely take classes at Mudd. One of my friends is taking 3 out of her 4 classes at Mudd although she’s a CS major at Pomona.
One difference between majoring in CS at Pomona vs Mudd is that Pomona CS classes are more theory based compared to Mudd. I’ve heard some people really like certain profs but others are a bit iffy. It mainly depends on how you like to learn (Pomona emphasizes collaboration).
Yes, there is def a theater crowd. Take a theater classes and you’ll def find them. There are a lot of shows to be involved with on campus on-stage or behind the scenes. Plus, you can get paid for working in the theater department depending on your job.