<p>I have gotten my college search down this far for a #1, but have been stuck for a while, so any insight you can give me will help. I think I have a shot at each, so stats aren't important, although it might be worth noting I'm enough Native American to check the little box :). </p>
<p>My area of interest is currently economics/ sciences, probably more on the economics. I am a big fan of the "unconventional" economics that include a lot of psychology. After school I have been playing with the idea of a soulless I-banker, or a MBA or JD... I know Stanford is the bigger name, but will people considering me in these positions really value it a lot more over Pomona?</p>
<p>I want a school that studies hard and all that, but that knows how to party. That whole work hard play hard thing. I also like those close-knit student bodies. Any info you give me could help so please don't hesitate!</p>
<p>Thanks. The fact that I love both yet they are so different has made this hard. And I am not sure in my good fortune, but I do think I have enough of a chance to make it worth a shot.</p>
<p>Sounds like Claremont McKenna is a better match to your needs than is Pomona. CMC is very much work hard play hard, and very unconventional with their Economics. They're more practical as opposed to being traditional.</p>
<p>CMC is known as the party school of the Claremont Colleges, and it is the school for those who seek to pursue business/law. They even have a finance track under their econ major.</p>
<p>PS in regards to i-banking alot of it is also has to do with your pursuit of work experience. You can easily go to USC undergrad and become an ibanker, just because you go to XYZ + had the right major, doesn't mean you automatically are hired from investment firms/banks, etc.</p>
<p>BTW why are you asking about Pomona vs Stanford, are you deciding which to apply ED/EA?</p>
<p>If you remain undecided, apply SCEA to Stanford. That way you can apply to Pomona RD without committing to Stanford (if you're accepted, that is :)).</p>
<p>Pomona as a school will serve you just as well if not better than Berkeley for a career in business (ibanking, finance ect.) Pomona has a very good reputation for employers (obviously not for most people, even educated ones), for instance I know a Pomona Grad who is a partner at GS. Saying this Pomona can't compare to Stanford, in my opinion it would be more comparable to a school like Northwestern or Hopkins in terms of what it offers in opportunities. For the Claremont colleges, there really is no question that Pomona is the flagship school, but its lack of name recognition is a problem for some, including me. Butchokoy, do you need to inject Berkeley into every discussion? We know its a great school, and if you are a top top student, sure you can compete anywhere, but the average Berkeley student will have nowhere the opportunities as an average Ivy League student. In the end of the day its still a state school and it suffers because of that.</p>
<p>Random people on the street will be far more impressed with your having gone to Stanford than to Pomona. But for getting into a top law or MBA program they will work equally well.</p>
<p>I agree with liek0806, Claremont McKenna would be the Claremont college that is more econ and finance oriented. It ranks in the top 25 of most rankings, and is more geared to pre-professional than Pomona. I do love Pomona though.</p>
<p>Yeah I was thinking of CMC, it moved up to #11 in the new rankings. The only problem is some advice I got from my dad... he said if you have the choice between an academia school (Pomona) and more of a pre-professional trade type school (CMC) to always go with the academia... of course he can say that, that MIT nerd :)</p>
<p>CMC has been 10-11 in the rankings for the past few years. But I see what your father is saying. (Also, if you go to Pomona you can take econ courses at CMC, no problem.) </p>
<p>You really can't go wrong with either Pomona or Stanford. But consider what kind of environment you want -- close-knit true LAC? Or brand name uni with a major sports program and all the resources of a major university? Do sports matter to you? How much does name-recognition matter?</p>
<p>CMC just got like a 200 million dollar donation that they are using to hire every hot-shot professor they can, as well as give out a crapload of scholarships and financial aid. </p>
<p>CMC students are also known for having the beer pong table out every night, and can come to Harvey Mudd for kickass parties when they arent having their own.</p>
<p>
[quote]
MickJag- from what I have heard the Stanford social scene is quote lacking, overall, not just parties.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Who told you that? Stanford is known for having an amazing social scene. Haven't you seen all the rankings that put Stanford among the most "social" and such--along with Duke, Vanderbilt, etc.? As well as the PR rankings that put Stanford students among the 'happiest' in the US?</p>
<p>The general image of Stanford is "social/laid-back," and I'd say it lives up to that image.</p>
<p>As for parties, it's hit or miss, but I would say neither that Stanford is a party school nor that its party scene is lacking (perhaps in comparison to a big party school like CSU Chico).</p>
<p>I've lived next to Stanford for many years and have known many who went through the school. I have heard mixed reviews for the undergraduate experience but being in Silicon Valley with the connections etc to high tech is HUGE. Stanford can be large and disconnected but it carries cache after graduation. If you are looking for a more intellectual experience, I would attend Pomona.</p>