I could use some advice on which college I should attend. I want to attend medical school after undergrad. which school will be the best for me in regards to research and having access to medical centers?
I would love if Pomona and Berkeley students can talk about their experiences to give me some insight.
What I like about Pomona:
Small campus and classes
Ability to have a relationship with professor outside of class/ can get help easily
great neuroscience department
Dont like:
I live 30 minutes from Pomona. Ideally, I would like to go out of southern ca.
Like about Berkeley:
In northern cal.
University is easily recognizable (everyone knows it)
Dont Like:
Large campus and classes
It’s more difficult to receive help from professor outside of class.
hard to get the classes you want b/c they fill out quickly.
You only have one negative about Pomona – one that matters less than you think. Fact is, life on campus will be a whole new world for you, whether or not your family lives 30 minutes away. But it’s true: it’s in Southern California… BTW, everyone in California has heard of Pomona. It’s a respected school. So unless you’re planning a career out of state - you’re safe with Pomona.
Actually a lot of people I know that have lived in CA for a long time haven’t heard of pomona or just think it’s a community college. But I what you’re saying. The thing is I plan on applying to medical school, so would going to a private school that is less well know or attending a public that is more well know be better? Is private better than public?
I have received a $55,000 from pomona and I don’t know about how much I have received from berkeley. But I applied to Gates scholarship so I might also be receiving aid from Gates. So tuition isn’t much of an issue for me thank god.
Because if Pomona is giving you close to a free ride, I would grab it in a heartbeat. Berkeley is a great university, but Pomona is at the Amherst/Williams level as far as getting its students into top grad schools - it literally does not get any better than that.
@ThankYouforHelp It’s 55k per year.
I didn’t know that it was that great at getting its students into top grad universities because I hope to get accepted to a top medical school.
Thanks for the advice.
OK, I should have been more precise everyone in California WHO MATTERS (employers, university people, grad school admissions committees, etc.) has heard about Pomona. #6 is correct: Pomona is a hot school, that attracts great students and does very well by them. If you’re getting this education with a $55K per year discount – it’s like you won the educational lottery Congrats.
Pomona and it’s not close. You will probably have a counselor from day one there helping guide you through the process and making sure you are on a path to an acceptance. UCB is a great school but you’ll be on your own as far as guidance goes. You’ll also be dealing with a lot of weed out classes at UCB.
@notveryzen I didn’t realize how much help pomona will be especially during freshman year, and totally forgot about dealing with weed out classes at UCB.
@marvin100 Yeah, my dad mentioned a huge percentage of Pomona’s students are accepted to med school, but a lot of my family members were saying that UCB is great for STEM and were, consequently, pushing me to go there. Also these family members want me to attend UCB because of its wide recognition and prestige. They don’t know much about pomona, merely what my dad says and they all think my dad is exaggerating. Anywho, I am leaning more towards Pomona. Thanks!
Pomona is an excellent pre-med option according to one source (UCB is recognized as well): “The Experts’ Choice: Colleges with Great Pre-med Programs.”
If they were equal price I’d suggest Pomona based on your own “fit” description above; add in the huge annual savings over Berkeley and it’s a no-brainer: Pomona.
Spend four more years somewhat close to home – you’ll be in your own little world on campus. And when you want to head home for a weekend, it won’t cost an arm and a leg. (so - even more savings)
You have grad school and/or your entire career to undertake far, far from home if you so choose. Turning down almost a free ride at an outstanding college like Pomona would be unfortunate.
@prezbucky Makes sense. It’s true that I can go as far away as I want for grad school and it’ll probably be easier for me since I’ll be older and more capable of living alone. Whether I attend Pomona or berkeley, I have to sacrifice something and it’s more sensible to sacrifice my desire to leave socal then to sacrifice my desire for professor interactions, etc at berkeley. However, now that I looked over my financial aid for berkeley, my parents now kinda leaning towards Berkeley. Of course pomona is offering more money. I don’t my parents keep confusing me every time i settle on a decision.
Regarding your post #13, if your relatives need convincing about “prestige”, show them the Forbes college ranking. Not that I think rankings are all that important, but it should come in handy if you need to convince doubtful relatives concerned about prestige. http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/
Congrats.