<p>That's surprising. Wow.
I think a lot of people in California know about Pomona. I think part of it is becuase of the "Claremont Colleges"
I think a lot of people have heard of them but maybe not know a lot about them. and if you mention pomona is one of the claremont colleges they catch on.</p>
<p>"She almost punched them."</p>
<p>im not sure if id have as much self discipline...</p>
<p>Ditto.. I think it sucks too.. but it's our job to be super successful and in that way... give Pomona the name recognition it deserves :-D</p>
<p>A lot of people don't know about Pomona, or many LACs at all. It's probable that the closer you go to a school, the more people know about it. But it slims out quite quickly, even from less than an hour away.</p>
<p>I think it's sad that your average person tends not to know about colleges like Pomona, Williams, etc., though of course so many of "the people that matter" do... I had to decide between these schools (the only two LACs I really considered) among others, and though I eventually went with Columbia, at which I had initially been waitlisted, when I had decided preliminarily on Williams I had some insight into what my future life would be like in this actual conversation with a friend:</p>
<p>"So, where are you going to college?"
"Williams College. ...It's in Massachusetts."
...
"Ahh, so, you liked William and Mary when you visited? I hear that people love the distinct Virginia atmosphere there..."</p>
<p>My aunt went to Pomona, and had not initially been too excited about the school. She's now a federal judge, and of all my relatives I'm probably most proud to be associated with her. She said that it was the best stroke of luck she ever had not to get into her other top choice colleges--Pomona was a lifechanging experience which she said (cliche as it is) opened up many doors for her.</p>
<p>I'm at Scripps, and my explanation is usually along the line of "Scripps College. In Claremont? About 30mi east of LA...it's one of the 5 Claremont Colleges. Pomona, Pitzer, CMC, Harvey Mudd, Scripps...? Okay, well...yeah, Scripps. I love it." :-</p>
<p>This is only when people press, normally I just leave it at "I go to school in SoCal...Claremont."</p>
<p>It's definitely a source of frustration when I'm out with friends and we get asked about our schools. They all get exclamations and congratulations, and when it comes to me, too many people go "Oh, well...okay..."</p>
<p>On the up-side, anyone who HAS heard of Scripps or of Claremont <em>LOVES</em> them and just gushes about how wonderful they are. I won't say it's "everyone who counts," b/c I don't really have a basis to know yet, but that was my theory coming in to Claremont.</p>
<p>I was worried about this same thing coming in (in my final choice, I ended up turning down Berkeley and USC for Scripps), and it does still bother me, but my experience in Claremont has been wonderful enough that if I had to repeat admissions, I would NEVER include this as a factor. You just learn to become really confident in your own opinion of your school, and you do have the other 4 schools all empathizing with you.</p>
<p>I know people who have transferred from both UCLA and Berkeley. If name recognition isn't your number one priority (which hopefully it's not), then odds are that your overall experience will weigh more in your happiness than prestige. UCs, for example, can be amazing schools, but they're certainly on the opposite end of the experiential spectrum from any of the 5Cs. I would advise you all to base your decisions on what you're looking for in the schools, and ignore the name-recognition. It won't get less annoying, but it will become less important to you...other factors will make it matter a lot less.</p>
<p>the reason why the pomona board died is because it became whine central for people who wished it was more of a name school</p>
<p>maybe...but it probably also has something to do with the fact that some of us have jobs and friends to occupy ourselves with during the summer...</p>
<p>hahahahaha</p>
<p>My sister went to Pomona and I'm going there next year. From what I've seen and heard about my sister's experiences, Pomona has a fantastic social life (much better than any of the UCs). Keep in mind that there are four other colleges surrounding it, and I hear Harvey Mudd parties rock.</p>
<p>just wanted to comment on some of the above. First, I think Pomona has an excellent social life. Don't forget there's five schools there (comprising about 5000 students and the campuses are immediately adjacant to each other) and two sports programs (P/P & C/M/S) so there is always something going on. You are NOT simply isolated with 1000-1500 students, the Claremont schools do not stand alone (I guess unless you want to make your experience that way, you can, but why?). You are truly getting 5 schools for the price of one.
Plus, something like 96% of the students at all 5 Claremont schools live on campus. UCLA, USC and most other SoCal schools have HUGE commuter populations. Other than missing out on a few "big" football games (which you can easily get to at SC or the Rose Bowl if you want) IMO there is much more of a campus life and social scene at Pomona and the Claremont schools than any other school in the SoCal region (and most places for that matter). And if safety matters to you, I'll take Pomona over SC or Westwood. Also, in addition to activities, parties, sports, etc. at the 5 schools, you have "The Village" immediately adjacant, with great restaurants, shops etc. (and The Village is being expanded) and very near by is the "art colony" area, with the Glass House, which is an amazing music venue.</p>
<p>As far as name recognition, those who need to know (graduate schools and employers) know what Pomona is about. A few years ago there was a T-shirt on campus that read on the back "that's ok, we never heard of you either".
Bottomline, name recognition? so what. Unfortunately, what most people know about schools and their "rep" is what they hear on ESPN college game day during football season. Many people have heard of the Ivies, but I'll bet they can't name 'em all. Name recognition may feed your ego, but it really should be, IMO, the very last factor to consider, if at all.</p>
<p>looks like most of the class of '09 has moved on to either facebook or myspace. farewell collegeconfidential, i guess, its been crazy.</p>
<p>too hot for this</p>
<p>I'm applying ED to Pomona for C/o '10...</p>
<p>Same here, ED II I think though</p>
<p>Right on, I'll also be ED II because of testing.</p>