<p>They are the two best finaid packages I've received but as much as I love Columbia and NYC, there is something that pulls me to little Pomona.</p>
<p>I feel that Columbia doesn't give much of a rat's ass about its students whereas Pomona "runs like butter". But the main thing that worries me is that Columbia will provide better future job prospects etc because of its Ivy League status, and to be honest, not many people have heard of Pomona...</p>
<p>Both campuses are beautiful as far as I can see. I do like the idea of University taking good care of you since you're paying a phuckload to them.</p>
<p>I wrestled with this one too. I ended up going to Columbia because of its curriculum, location, and reputation, but I was worried that I'd be treated like a number. As a sophomore, I can say that Columbia's notorious bureaucracy is not as bad as people say (trust me--I've had to deal with the financial aid department a lot, and they've always helped me out). The one thing that's really lacking is strong advising, but this is more than made up for by the faculty (especially in Core classes and the English and history departments). I know a lot of my professors well, and they've always provided me with support and guidance whenever I needed it. (Not to sound nerdy, but I'm actually corresponding with one of them about an NYTimes book review right now... whatever, I'm not ashamed.) Bottom line: if you are proactive and aren't afraid to network (hate that word) with your profs, then you should be fine. Columbia as an institution is not out to get you, and I've never felt mistreated or ignored when it counted. </p>
<p>Also, I've visited Claremont a lot, and it's way too isolated from the cool parts of LA. Columbia, being in the city, has much better access to off-campus attractions.</p>
<p>Biggest question you need to ask yourself: Do you want to be in NYC? Also, ask yourself how you feel about the size of the student body. I felt personally that Pomona was perhaps TOO small for me, but I was still going to apply anyway because I loved other aspects of the school.</p>
<p>I don't see why anyone would really struggle with this decision. If the California school was Stanford or perhaps Cal, then I would see why there would be some real thought into this, or maybe if $$$ is a big factor.</p>
<p>Pomona and Columbia both have strong grad school placement, but at Pomona, the professors are there explicitly to teach and interact with undergraduates, unlike a major university such as Columbia. However, Ivy League prestige could help you out depending on what you want to do after college.</p>
<p>I'm deciding between Harvey Mudd and Columbia SEAS and a slew of other schools myself, and one concern my parents raised was Mudd's small size compared to Columbia-- that I'd feel sequestered. However, I've heard from others that the rest of the Claremont colleges provide comparable diversity and size to any university.</p>
<p>What great opportunities. It really is a choice between a top LAC and a top research university. Pomona students always register as some of the happiest, and I know several. Pomona has produced at least one Rhodes scholar in recent years. In terms of going on to grad school or professional school, I think anyone in academia is going to recognize Pomona for the excellent and up and coming school it is. </p>
<p>Columbia is just an entirely different experience. As different from an LAC as Pomona is from NYC. So it really depends on you. Also, your potential major. I'd say an economics major at Pomona will have a much more personal experience than an economics major at Columbia, unless he or she is the type of student to aggressively seek out professors and advising. A math or physics major at Columbia would find undergraduate-friendly departments with many opportunities. NYC presents an education in itself, but it's not for everyone as an undergrad. Visit both again if you can.</p>