<p>So I've glanced through the boards of the other colleges and on other search engines. I've gotten the jist(sp?) of all 5 colleges, but I would appreciate if someone could check for accuracy and/or add on to the statements I've made. Please please please.</p>
<p>Pomona - highly regarded; curriculum is based more towards critical analysis and intellectualism
Claremont - highly regarded; curriculum is based more towards funneling students into grad schools
Harvey Mudd - I don't really know much about this college to be honest
Pitzer - um, more laid back than most?
Scripps - womens college; some girls are snobby</p>
<p>Why are Pomona and Claremont highly regarded in contrast to the other 3 schools?
Has anyone made the move from east coast to west coast? I hate hate cold weather, so weather will not be something I have to adjust to. And technically, I live in the midwest, but I consider myself to be more east coast because I have lots of family there and have spent quite a bit of time in the area. But in terms of personality and attitude, how are the people?</p>
<p>I'm not asking for an indepth analysis of all 5 colleges. I wouldn't expect anyone to take that much time from their lives. But if you'd like to, by all means please do :)</p>
<p>HMC is more of an engineering/ math type school. It is one of the best of its kind in the county, is highly regarded, and has a student body that is very tight due to the fact they have to struggle through the large and tough workload together.</p>
<p>scripps is the most artsy of the 5 cs, probably due to its history as a women's college. also offers lots of the feminist classes if that's what you're into. </p>
<p>Pitzer is the most "hippy" school and they have a lot of classes which are more alternative/ activist focused.</p>
<p>Mudd is science and engineering and has a very high reputation, but a bad male to female ratio.</p>
<p>I have met people from all of the Cs so far and they all seem like good schools. each one has its own personality and people fall into and break stereotypes at all of the schools. I'd recommend visiting if you are interested in any of the other claremont schools to get a taste of what students are like there.</p>
<p>I second what chief56 and devushka said about HMC, Pitzer, and Scripps. </p>
<p>As to your question: "why are Pomona and Claremont highly regarded in contrast to the other schools?" (I'd throw HMC in there too, since its very highly regarded in the engineering world.)</p>
<p>All the colleges really are excellent. Pomona, Claremont, and HMC get a bit more attention, perhaps, because they are ranked a bit higher than the rest. Admissions rates at Pomona and CMC are also among the lowest of any LACs, (and you know how people at CC love those low admissions rates.) </p>
<p>On an individual basis:
Pomona - Oldest, richest (!), most well-rounded, and probably best-known of the colleges
CMC - Relative newcomer (founded in 1946), yet consistently ranked among top LACs and particularly well-known for Gov/Econ/IR departments.
HMC - Again, tops for engineering.</p>
<p>Scripps and Pitzer are both very good schools. And, having taken courses at 4/5 colleges (sorry Mudd) I've found the overall level of instruction really doesn't vary much across the 5Cs.</p>
<p>Now the kinds of student bodies you'll find across the different campuses, THAT varies a lot!</p>
<p>Are rumors of apathetic student body/general campus feel at Pitzer true? I heard this adjective used to describe their lack of progressiveness as far as being a "green school".</p>
<p>D went from East Coast to West Coast and found the folks out there quite amiable. Unless you have an aversion to liberals, you'll do just fine. :)</p>
<p>With acceptance rates dropping by half in the past few years, Pitzer is changing though it is by far the most laid back and progressive in their attitude. The campuses look very different as well. Pomona looks east coast with lots of green lawns (in a desert!?), CMC is sort of 50s architecture but nice, HM is 60's engineer severe, Scripps in CA Spanish and Pitzer incorporates the local almost dessert landscape.</p>
<p>brandnewstate, Pomona and CMC both have strong psychology programs. Pitzer is also well-known for its social sciences, psychology included. I don't know anything about the program at Scripps. </p>
<p>MQD- you're very kind to call CMC's architecture 'nice.' I absolutely love the school, but damn. If I could change anything I'd make north-quad look a little less like a '60s motel! At least there's the opportunity to cross the street and roam around Scripps' orange groves...</p>