Pomona or Wellesley?

<p>Hi, I'm from the east coast and I am torn b/t Pomona and Wellesley. I think I would "fit" well at either school, and I know students at both are excellent, but am concerned about how Pom and Welles students stack up against each other. W/ pom being more selective, it seems to me that its incoming students would be more "competitive" (not as in cutthroat comp, but being of a higher academic standing...). So I'm worried about being at the lower/bottom half of Pom's class (whereas at Welles i'd probably be in the upper middle range). I don't believe that colleges have "class rankings" (correct me if I'm wrong), but I'm afraid it would be more stressful trying to keep up w/ my classmates at Pomona (if they indeed are noticeably more "competitive" than welles students). I'm not sure if this is exactly a valid concern, as I am a hard worker and would do my best in college...any thoughts? I'd greatly appreciate it!</p>

<p>I was also worried about being in the bottom part of the class at Pomona, but the students are so collaborative, and the professors give so much personal attention that I’m not so much anymore. In a small school like Pomona, if you are not doing well, the professors care and will set aside more time for you if you need it.<br>
At least that’s my impression.
Good luck with your decision!</p>

<p>Thanks for your input, balleranddancer!</p>

<p>Pomona doesn’t have class rankings, and you’re not competing against other students, even for grades since classes are not curved (although I think I heard of one extremely rare exception in a math class my friend was taking). I also think that in general, by surrounding yourself with a “more selective,” challenging, environment, you will grow and learn much more by the time you graduate. You shouldn’t underestimate how much you learn outside of the class in college from your classmates, in addition to discussions that occur in the classroom.</p>

<p>Thanks gnatcire. I will keep those things in mind.</p>

<p>Pomona…</p>

<p>I’m with ringer: Pomona.</p>

<p>As a Wellesley alum and a Pomona parent, I can say that you won’t go wrong with either school. There are many similarities, including the camaraderie you’ll find at both schools. I’m still involved with Wellesley students and don’t find them to be competitive nor are there class rankings. Similar vibe in the classrooms at both schools.</p>

<p>One of our relatives did transfer from Wellesley to Pomona for two reasons - she realized she wanted a co-educational experience and her family was in southern California (and her sib had health problems).</p>

<p>I can also say that, post-graduation, I have found the Wellesley network (that’s international) to be a wonderful and welcoming resource whenever my family and I have moved around the country. Pomona has a similar network, but I’m not sure how extensive it is around the world.</p>

<p>What Pomona definitely has that Wellesley doesn’t is the great climate! But then, Wellesley has its own lake where you can canoe, sail, and row. :)</p>

<p>wildflower69 and balleranddancer – my S has some of the same fear of having a tougher time at Pomona due to the rigor of the classes, and the fact that he has been in a very unchallenging HS. But I think he will do well at Pomona because of the collaboration between students, the non-competitive and laid-back atmosphere, all the support systems available, and the close relationships between students and profs.</p>

<p>balleranddancer, did you attend one of the admitted students days? We were there last Monday. We were in awe all day and S decided that was the place for him! :)</p>

<p>BengalMom - Yes I was there last Monday! Claremont had PERFECT weather for the occasion too! I had already decided to go Pomona, but I wanted to visit again. I visited a Genetics (which was easy to understand/follow) and an Organic Chemistry class (in which I understood absolutely nothing!) and had lunch a Frary Dining Hall. I felt like I was in Harry Potter! I’m glad your son decided to attend - hopefully I’ll meet him in August! Do you know what Orientation Adventure he is signing up for?</p>

<p>Flower and Dancer- If you got into Pomona and Wellesley, I’m sure you’ll do fine at either one. I’m not sure why you think Wellesely is less rigorous than Pomona. Among other things, even at college age, young women tend to be more serious than young men when it comes to academics, so at Wellesley you’ll have more serious competitors. Wellesley is also known for demanding academics, even if the SATs of the entering student class are a notch less than Pomona, and Wellesley proactively works against grade inflation. I think these aspects sort of even things out between the 2.</p>

<p>My D will be attending Pomona. She had considered Wellesley and decided not to apply. All the students at W said, when it came to meeting young male students, that ‘you have to work at it’. She didn’t want to have to ‘work’ at socializing with the opposite gender. She also got the distinct impression that a lot of friday nights would be spent baking cookies and such. A friend of mine has a daughter who just completed a year at Wellesley and socially she said her D found the school lacking. She said the students tend to fall in 2 extremes-- those who never leave their dorm because their noses are always in their books, and those who, well, let’s say, have too much fun in too many different ways than may be good for them. Hard to find friends who are in-between. That’s her D’s experience at least.</p>

<p>Good luck, and decide soon!</p>

<p>balleranddancer – ok, you’re not going to believe this , but my son went to those same two classes!! Intro to Genetics, and then OChem. I just asked him if he noticed anyone that was in both of his classes, and he said a couple of people. He mentioned that he spoke with one girl briefly. He is 6’, very slim but with broad shoulders, fairly short brown hair. Too funny… Maybe we can meet up on move in day. :)</p>

<p>Oh, and he is hoping for the Yosemite trip. How about you?</p>

<p>congrats on getting admitted to both! As a teacher who has had students go to both schools, I can tell you that either way you will be a winner. I would have to say it would come down to what climate you like best. We live in the Southwest and get really tired of snow easily. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about the boy thing. All of my Wellesley girls had boyfriends during their years there.</p>

<p>Wow - what a coincidence!! I also remember a few people who were in both of my classes. I might have talked to him, unfortunately I don’t particularly remember. But if it helps, I have really long brown hair…</p>

<p>Haha, yes! We can put CC next to our names like the parents in the other threads :)</p>

<p>And I’m planning on doing strenuous backpacking. Yosemite was a close second on my list though!</p>

<p>balleranddancer – Well this is getting pretty bizarre. My S said he spoke for just a second after the OChem class with a girl who had long brown hair as the prospective students were waiting to go to lunch at Frary. I hear the Twilight Zone theme… do do do do… :D</p>

<p>I was debating about the two schools just a couple days before and I also posted a thread here about making this decision. After all I choose Pomona over Wellesley despite the pressure I got from my family… I even got into a fight with my mom trying to convince her that I don’t just choose Pomona for its weather and happy students, and I also do want to study… I know I can probably do well in either place, but I would like to have a happier environment to study in and a more natural social setting. I believe that you need to be happy to be successful~ <3
Just follow your heart and make the right choice! (thats what I did at least and I dont think I would regret it~)
<3</p>

<p>siyao1030, I completely agree that if you are happy in your environment, you have a better chance to be successful. Have a wonderful time at Pomona!</p>

<p>Hello siyao1030:</p>

<p>Glad to hear you made the decision to attend Pomona! Our daughter was valedictorian, and chose Pomona over a group of so-called “more prestigious, more well-known” schools. She will start there in August and couldn’t be more excited.</p>

<p>If you’d like to get to know your future classmates, see how nice they are and where they come from, visit the Pomona 2014 Facebook page at:</p>

<p>[Pomona</a> College Class of 2014 | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook Public Group | Facebook”>Facebook Public Group | Facebook)</p>

<p>Wishing you best of luck in your future endeavours!</p>

<p>Congratulations, siyao1030. You will find lots of other Pomona students who turned down better-known colleges. My daughter was accepted at three UC’s (with scholarships) and three Ivy’s, but, like you, fell in love with Pomona and didn’t waver from her commitment to attend. Good luck to you, hope my daughter gets to meet you!</p>