<p>hi, so my little brother is interested in pomona college (mostly my effect on him because of my praise for the college) but he was recently reading the 47 things to do before you graduate and he was not impressed. Because we live in Los Angeles, most of the things on the list he has already done numerous times. He was what other options he might consider (schools that have the same rigor as pomona as well as a brilliant reputation, and also a social scene and a large town nearby) or if there is much more to do for kids from LA seeking adventure.. thank you.</p>
<p>Hahaha, that list is not an especially large part of life at Pomona. It's just something that a bunch of people made up a few years back, while they were bored. Then the administration decided it was 'cute' (although in probably different words) and pledged to fund any trip that students wanted to take if they were doing something on the list. </p>
<p>Do you have to do them all to graduate? Hell no, I doubt there are many that have.</p>
<p>Do you have to do any of them to graduate? Hell no, it's just an arbitrary list of random things to do in the area.</p>
<p>Random side note: This thread is your 47th post</p>
<p>brassmonkey's correct that the list is something fairly silly that people made up just for kicks. It is true, though-- and I think this is the gist of your post-- that SoCal is an adventure for people from other places, whereas LA kids might be looking for something else.</p>
<p>As for other schools that are academically similar and similar in "feel" to Pomona-- Swarthmore, Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin, Carleton, Grinnell, Middlebury are probably the most similar. Also Bates, Colby, Wesleyan, U Chicago, Brown, and Reed. However, a lot of these are in rural areas. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "large town," but you and your brother can look at these school's websites and figure out where they are and if the nearby cities would suit his needs.</p>
<p>Of all the LACs mentioned, Reed and Wesleyan are the least rural. Portland has a burgeoning night life. Middletown doesn't quite, but, is only a half hour from New Haven. As noted above, a lot of Californians send their kids to Wesleyan just to give them a good liberal arts experience -- out of town. ;)</p>
<p>He might also want to look into Rice - a small research university with an LAC feel; residential colleges with a great social life.</p>
<p>I also agree with brassmonkey. I'm the chair of the off-campus committee and that list is primarily a source for free trips sponsored by the school. It's also nice for those not native to socal. </p>
<p>Regardless, it is college and your little brother will be able to do whatever he wants for his social life (with a car of course). I actually love being in Claremont, it's small, but only 30-45 minutes away from everything else. I go to UCLA to visit friends every other weekend or so. It's absolutely doable if your little brother gets bored with the town.</p>