I really like a lot of aspects about Pomona, but I am intending to advance to graduate studies in mathematics/computer science (theory) and I need to be able to do research in these areas before grad school.
There are some research opportunities listed at Harvey Mudd that are open to Pomona students. For anyone familiar with STEM research at Pomona or through Pomona:
How accessible are research opportunities?
Is is very competitive to do research at Harvey Mudd as a Pomona student?
How should I go about searching for undergrad research my first year?
Can undergrads do research or attend seminars at Caltech?
Would I ever be able to choose my own topic to research?
Super accessible, 200+ students are funded on campus each summer, and Pomona guarantees at least one paid summer of research throughout your four years. Many students also choose to work at a research U over the summer, with Pomona paying for it.
Try to get your research done at Pomona if you can, as you may be able to extend your research project for longer. That said, the HHMI research program is a 5C research program and you can def. do research at Harvey Mudd if you so wish. Some disciplines are less competitive to pursue at HMC (like Bio) than others. Academic year research programs also exist, and I know plenty of people who worked at a different 5C research lab.
Reach out to professors and ask them they’d be available to discuss their research and see if you’d be a good fit. Show your own research and bring questions/investigations you’d be interested in pursuing. Don’t come across as desperate- ask them politely and kindly for their time.
Yes, I had a friend who commuted to Caltech to do astrophysics research, so an arrangement can be made on your own volition. A few of us have been to Caltech for particularly noteworthy research seminars. That said, Pomona and the 5C’s offer a very robust research program, and distinguished programs like the Robbins Lecture bring Nobel laureates and other prestigious researchers to the campus every year.
More towards the latter half of your academic journey. One subset of the research funded is independent project proposals, where you figure out a budget/resources you may need to carry out your topic of interest. Most thesis investigations are also independently designed and carried out in nature. That said, and this is true of any school you can attend, it’s best to latch onto a professor who aligns with your research interests and build your portfolio that way. LORs are heavily weighted in the graduate school process, and very few undergraduates are at the level to carry full fledged independent investigations without the need of an experienced adviser.