<p>My D is a junior, and both schools look interesting to her. She's interested in pol sci/international relations and the social sciences, but her eyes always light up when she talks about literature, history, art and music. </p>
<p>What are some of the differences in approach, content, etc. between the two schools? Any observations welcome at this point. Do people end up applying to both?</p>
<p>Most people do. I applied to both, but I feel that Pomona is better for history (I applied as a history major). You should visit, Pomona definitely has the nicer campus of the two.</p>
<p>well just apply both- unless you are doing Early D.
i like pomona better but its a matter of preference</p>
<p>There is really no disadvantage in applying to both. CMC has an emphasis on educating students to become leaders in public affairs and business; Pomona is a traditional liberal arts college. CMC students tend to be more practical and goal-driven than their Pomona counterparts. Also, CMC is fairly balanced between liberals and conservatives whereas Pomona is more dominated by liberal students and faculty. </p>
<p>By far the most popular majors at CMC are economics, government, and international relations. Almost everyone is at least somewhat interested in politics or business, but lots of people have other interests too. It is really common to see a person double majoring in government and music, or economics and literature. And with the consortium, students can actually major in art, music, etc. at Pomona. </p>
<p>Because of the school's focus, I think most people would agree that CMC is stronger in politics, economics, and international relations (although Pomona does have strong departments across the board, so you can't really go wrong with either school). Pomona does have a very good history department, but actually so does CMC. For example, there was recently an opening for an ancient history position at CMC and over 200 professors from around the country applied for the single spot. </p>
<p>I'm actually a dual major in history and government at CMC (and am taking a Pomona history class this semester), so feel free to PM me if you have questions about either school.</p>
<p>I applied to both. And Pitzer! I just know the Claremont schools will be perfect for me. I hope atleast one of them thinks I'll be perfect for them too!</p>
<p>history_mom--</p>
<p>Welcome to CC! We had the same problem when our D visited (she's Pomona '09). By the end of our visit (Pitzer, CMC, and Pomona), she had decided that Pomona was the school for her. Sometimes it just comes down to a more personal type of fit and not necessarily what each school offers. Also, remember that students can cross-register at the other Claremonts.</p>
<p>Whereabouts in MA are you located? (You can PM me if you'd like more info.)</p>
<p>From what I understand, the politics, history and economics departments at CMC aren't stronger than Pomona's. I would assume that they are at the same level. However, Pomona is stronger than CMC in all other academic disciplines. </p>
<p>In terms of the campus and student body, Pomona is larger with a much prettier and more historic campus. Also, its student body is more diverse and has a more intellectual feel. As the founding member of the Claremont Colleges, Pomona is the most prestigous, widely recognized, and best endowed (well over one billion dollars). Another signficant difference between the two schools is selectivity. Pomona is harder to get into than CMC and I have never heard of a student chosing CMC over Pomona. In fact, many CMC students were rejected by Pomona. If you are lucky enough to be presented with the choice to attend one of these two institutions, don't think twice, choose Pomona.</p>
<p>My daughter applied to, and and was accepted at both CMC and Pomona. Prestige and the size of each school's endowment were not factors that she considered during the application process. She did not have a clear understanding of the different campus cultures at each school, even after the campus tours, information sessions, and interviews.However, the subsequent overnights she did at each school made it clear to her that Pomona was the better fit for her. She only understood that after spending time on each campus, with the students, and attending classes, Although an overnight visit is time consuming, it really does help many students discover whether they can envision themselves at a particular school for the next four years.</p>
<p>wow. there are so many things that are simply untrue with that, darnshorty. I can name dozens of people I know who chose CMC over Pomona, it's really not that uncommon. The usual reason I hear for choosing CMC is that Pomona students tend to be more pretentious and conceited . . . </p>
<p>And Pomona is only slightly more selective than CMC. I believe that last year, CMC had an acceptance rate of 21% and Pomona had about 19%. But this year, CMC had a jump in applications, so they're expecting the acceptance rate to fall closer 17% or 18% (I don't know about Pomona, but it's possible that its acceptance rate will also fall). In any case, I don't see how a slight difference in selectivity should be a deciding factor in which school to go to. </p>
<p>I'll assume that you were refering to racial diversity when you said that Pomona's student body is more "diverse" (because it certaintly isn't more idealogically diverse). I'd like to see some stats for that, because my understanding is that the two schools are about the same in terms of minority enrollment. Also, I disagree that Pomona is more "prestigious" or "widely recognized" than CMC. I highly doubt that you can find many people who know about Pomona without also knowing about CMC. </p>
<p>Obviously the quality of the departments is subjective, but from everything I know, CMC is simply stonger in economics, government, and international relations-- just like I would say Harvey Mudd is stronger in math, science, and engineering. </p>
<p>Anyway, my point is that you should look carefully at both schools. There is no one right answer as darnshorty seems to suggest. I agree with zannerina-- try to visit the schools and talk to the students at each.</p>
<p>zannerina - my Son had the exact same experience, 5 years ago. </p>
<p>History-Mom - If you prepare for your visit you will be able to see the differences between the 2 clearly. As was pointed out CMC is much more business and government oriented, and you will see that in the students, who are generally on the more conservative side of things. CMC students brag that you can tell a CMC student from a Pomona Student because the CMC student has a job after graduation. And there is truth to that! Whereas Pomona is more Liberal and meets the true definition of liberal arts. I think your D will get a sense of where she fits the best. Pitzer, is very different from either. My Son had a wonderful experience at Pomona (came out more liberal than I would have liked, but it is his life). And by the way my S received a fellowship, all expense paid for a PHD.
Whatever you choose - you will not find a better enviornment than the Claremont Colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks all,</p>
<p>We hope to visit, but it may not happen til after the application process. There's a lot of things my D likes about the Claremont schools. </p>
<p>Being in a warm climate is only one of them (Joke! as we get hit with a foot of snow tonight here in Massachusetts).</p>
<p>She wants to be somewhere where there are some good science students, even if she doesn't plan to major in the sciences. Many of her friends are 'science geeks', so she'd like to keep that mix. The folks at Harvey Mudd gives her that. She's been looking at school size of ~5000, and while each school at Claremont is less than that, collectively, it sort of adds up to that. And she wants a school that's challenging, which is true of both Pomona and Claremont McKenna. </p>
<p>She's looking at some schools that are strong in political science/international relations (Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, George Washington, Tufts), and I think she'd really enjoy that. But I know that in college you often end up having a great "aha" in sophmore year, and find out what you're really interested in, so I don't want her to get into a situation where she's committed to specialization too early.</p>
<p>I find it reassuring that people apply to both. Without getting to see the schools before application, that may be what she have to do.</p>
<p>Is there any value to visiting in the summer? I assume you won't get the feel for the students as well as you would during the rest of the year.</p>
<p>I would not visit in the summer unless it was the only option. Similar to many here my son applied to both with Pomona being an afterthought. He initially was interested in history/political science hence the CMC attraction. He later decided on psychology/history. The overnight was the cincher. He felt the fit right away at Pomona and a feeling of coming home. He has taken classes at each of the other schools except Mudd which is a nice plus although most of his classes are at Pomona. You can not go wrong with any of the Claremonts.</p>
<p>Just to help clarify, Harvey Mudd does not have a corner on Science at claremont. They are the recognized leaders in Comp Sci and engineering disciplines. Pomona has many outstanding science students. Most go on to graduate schools including many of the top medical programs. Biology is particularly strong. Check the career placement center, they usually have some lists of where the graduates go and types of awards and fellowships received.</p>
<p>wait what is CMC good for- getting in law school?</p>
<p>My daughter tells me that about half of her Pomona freshman class arrived as potential pre-med majors this year. Excellent science and math students are abundant at Pomona, although it is probable that many will change their minds before they need to declare a major.</p>
<p>"Just to help clarify, Harvey Mudd does not have a corner on Science at claremont. They are the recognized leaders in Comp Sci and engineering disciplines."</p>
<p>Pomona has a great science program, I'll grant you that. It is, by no means, the same rigor as HMC except in bio/premed fields. Pomona is exceptionally strong, but you are taking on a school where all we do, night and day, is science and engineering. There is no way that a non-specialized school can top that.</p>
<p>I second rocketDA's point. I'm sorry, but there is no way that Pomona is on the same level as Harvey Mudd for pure sciences. </p>
<p>Just as CMC isn't on the same level as Pomona for a majority of their mutual majors. </p>
<p>Pomona is definitely on a higher level of selectivity, prestige, academic rigor, etc than CMC.</p>
<p>I actually do not entirely agree with rocketDA and atomicfusion. Pomona's math and chemistry departments, in particular, are really good and underrated. I've seen their coursework, and it is fairly rigorous. Physics, though, we may have the edge because they don't offer nearly as much as we do, and a lot of Pomona kids take physics courses at Harvey Mudd.</p>
<p>Something to take into consideration; Pomona has its own science department, while CMC does not.</p>
<p>"I actually do not entirely agree with rocketDA and atomicfusion. Pomona's math and chemistry departments, in particular, are really good and underrated. I've seen their coursework, and it is fairly rigorous. Physics, though, we may have the edge because they don't offer nearly as much as we do, and a lot of Pomona kids take physics courses at Harvey Mudd."</p>
<p>While, Mudder debates Mudder...
Take Mudd's average science/math/engineering student. Match it up against Pomona's average science/math/engineering student. Mudd's core would prove to be a lethal weapon in any type of general ability competition. 8 Math classes, CS, 2 chem, 3 physics as a common? That is tough to beat.</p>
<p>Take Mudd's best students (not by grades, though). These students are among the best in their respective fields in the nation. The best Pomona students would be no match... as the best of Caltech and MIT would be a match for them.</p>
<p>So, no. In a place that only breathes science, math, and engineering, I will not say that Pomona is necessarily at the same level as Mudd. They are great and one of a kind (and have many very great students) but at a place where this is our obsession, I will stand firm in this belief.</p>