<p>^ All very in line with my own Claremont experience. </p>
<p>A number of funfun's recent posts re: Claremont have been questionable at best, and flat out wrong/disparaging at worst. Many of the claims are based in truth, but stretched beyond what's reasonable or fair. Hopefully (and presumably) he's simply mistaken, rather than intentionally spreading bad info, but please take them with salt.</p>
<p>I spoke with an expert from the AQMD regarding the air quality the other day and what he had to say about air quality was a major concern. The trouble is that colleges are not carefully following the alerts. The damage to the lungs won't show up in ordinary people unless they get asthma or lung cancer. Singers and athletes need to have their lungs working at their optimum and they are the ones who need to take the most precautions. </p>
<p>I am trying to figure out how I can both go to Pomona and protect my lungs.</p>
<p>I have literally never noticed the smog in my two years here. We can see the mountains clearly every day!</p>
<p>I’d say that “a school where I can have great intellectual and personal conversations monday through thursday and then kick back and go crazy friday and saturday with the same people” describes Pomona perfectly. Party-wise, Pomona has something for everyone. You’ll find some people who stay in all nights working hard, you’ll find others who get drunk 5 nights a week (the 5C’s have parties on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays too), and plenty in between. I personally tend to hang out with friends during the week–maybe stop by Walker Coffee house on Wednesday–and then check out all the parties on weekends. We have an organization called That Saturday Group which runs some really fun, sober events every weekend, so sometimes I go to those too.</p>
<p>We have a really liberal alcohol policy, which allows for some great parties in dorm rooms. Our policy is stricter than those at some of the other schools, though, which allows us to go off to their campuses to get FREE alcohol (the 5C’s pay for drinks for students) and then retreat back here from some quiet and sleep!</p>
<p>A couple notes in response to funfun’s comments:</p>
<p>-While there’s an argument to be made about air quality in Claremont and the greater LA area–particularly with regard to athletes–I think it’s overstated. The air quality has significantly improved from several decades ago. It’s also worth noting that students are only on campus for about eight months of the year. Air quality is worst in the summer when the school isn’t even in session. There’s something to be said for breathing air of poor quality your entire life, but I’m not sure how detrimental four years of college will be.
-I’m also not sure how significant the demographics of Claremont and the surrounding area should factor into anyone’s college decision. Surely you’ve heard of the “Claremont Bubble?” The interaction between students and the town is pretty minimal, especially on a political level. Funfun, cite all the statistics you can look up online, but that’s no substitute for having gone to school year for three years. I also think you’re underselling the diversity of the Claremont Colleges by terming them according to relative liberalism or conservatism. Yes Pomona and Pitzer tend to be liberal and CMC tends to be more conservative, but there are quite a variety of views on campus that you can’t capture in using “liberal” and “conservative.”
-I’m not sure how strongly Claremont’s proximity to a nuclear power plant should factor into your choice of college.</p>
<p>In response to the original question:</p>
<p>It’s no the type of partying you’ll find at a large state school, but there’s plenty going on. During the week, there’s Table Manners on Tuesdays, Pub on Wednesdays, TNC and some mix of The Boot, Symposium, and Junior/Senior Social. Pomona throws two huge parties every year (Harwood Halloween and Smiley 80s)–each of which turn out over 1,200 people (only 4,500 students go to the Claremont Colleges, mind you). It also has a student organization, CCLA, that tries to throw sizable parties every other week. The “frats” have teamed up this year and provided us with a couple good parties. A number of other student organizations will also throw parties throughout the school year. Pomona has an “Alcohol Fund” to help pay for alcohol for parties. All official parties are held in public spaces with security, servers, and the like. On slower nights, students are usually good about throwing their own unofficial smaller hall/suite parties.</p>
<p>Scripps has been throwing two big parties each semester this year (Eurotrash, JockJams, and Filthy Dripped so far). Mudd is reliable for a few big parties each year (Foam, Casemas, Slippery When Wet…and the like). It feels like there’s almost always something going on at CMC’s North Quad during the weekend. They just had their 24 Hour Party and are lined up for the Pirate Party next weekend. I think there are things going on at the Grove House most Fridays.</p>
<p>Also be sure to do you research on Pomona transfers. it’s my understanding that it’s extraordinarily competitive.</p>