<p>My D got into Yale, Stanford, Pomona, and Notre Dame. She wants to study English, Psychology, with a little Spanish thrown in. Wants to do a semester or year in Spain, work on school newspaper or news magazine, and likes creative writing a lot, which she is very good at.
With this background I would appreciate any thoughts anyone has about the respective merits of these schools, especially from current students or people who know students at any of these schools. I know about the weather differences, and have heard the debate about the safety issues at Yale, so most interested in pros and cons of these depts, and other academic issues.
Thanks.</p>
<p>RedJayhawk,
My D (ED1 at Pomona) also considered Stanford in the mix and really liked it when we visited. Pomona won out because she wanted to be involved in the community outside campus and felt that Stanford students tend to stay in the "bubble" of the campus. That was confirmed by a friend who is a Stanford student and participates a great deal in University activities. It seems that some students would rather remain on campus than venture into the Bay Area whereas students at Pomona do go into LA.</p>
<p>for your comments, Little Mother. I've heard that Pomona is very PCish (or should I say tolerance disabled?). Any comments? Thank you.</p>
<p>My S is at Pomona. It has been the greatest thing that has happened to him. He especially likes that Pomona students are very tolerant and accepting of everyone, non-judgemental.My S is the type that likes everyone and gets annoyed when people think they are superior to others.There are not many folks like that there despite their amazing talented student body. Pomona is a close knit community and students there seem to genuinely like their school and the administration, imagine that! There is some PC there but that is not the norm or a significant impact. They are after all the happiest students . Of course Stanford is amazing and you can't go wrong with either school. I can't imagine not chosing Pomona because of it being PC ish. That is such a minor piece of the puzzle. I have heard freshman say they don't want to study abroad now as they don't want to miss anything going on on campus. Hopefully they will change their mind before junior year. This is such a fit thing that visits and overnights at both would be the only way to make the right decision. Good luck and let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>I attended a Pomona admitted student reception in our area earlier this week. Bruce Poch, Dean of Admission, and some recent grads were there. One alum '04 spent his entire junior year away--first Prague and then Swat--and said he regretted being away for that long because he did grow "homesick" for Pomona and couldn't wait to return to the campus.</p>
<p>RJH - I wouldn't worry about the "safety issues" at Yale so much. My D is a sophomore from a suburban CA environment, and has had no problems. Instead, I would ask her if she prefers an LAC to a university, and if she perfers CA to the east coast. All of the schools on your list have excellent departments in your D's interest areas, opportunities to work on student papers, and opportunities abroad. All have excellent students. I really think the differences in experience would come down to location and size, not the excellence of the academics offered.</p>
<p>If you're looking for a plug from a Yale parent, how about this. Of the nine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the 2004 Atlantic Monthly's annual student writing contest in three catagories ( fiction, poetry and nonfiction) three of them were Yale students. No other college had more than 1 winner. Three other Yale students received honorable mention. Only 1 other school, Columbia, had more than 1 honorable mention.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if a small LAC in a suburban setting is what your child wants at this stage of her life, it would be hard to find a better school than Pomona.</p>
<p>for your very thoughtful comments, ASAP. Good to hear.</p>
<p>Your daughter should definitely attend Yale. Although Pomona is among the most elite liberal arts colleges in the World, the name recognition of Yale is unbeatable (with the exception of Harvard).</p>
<p>I agree with A.S.A.P.--your D needs to decide between an LAC and a university as well as urban vs. suburban. All four schools are strong contenders; it all comes to down to the best fit for your D, and she's the best person to determine that.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for all your comments. The next few weeks will be interesting! She is She will have visited all four schools in April.</p>