<p>Pomona Vs. Uchicago </p>
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<p>Hi, I'm in my senior year in New Delhi and was recently accepted at the University of Chicago and Pomona. </p>
<p>Two years ago my boyfriend told me about Chicago as it was his number one (he got rejected) and we both fell in love with the uni for its intellectual breadth. </p>
<p>However, as the decision day came nearer, we learnt more about chicago through personal and internet sources. The environment and atmosphere that we had initially perceived was the very reason we applied. A quote about Chicago was:</p>
<p>"Chicago is not the place where the valedictorian goes, but the place where the guy who the valedictorian was intimidated by goes" or something like that.</p>
<p>I'm certain that this is definately an incorrect description of the student body of chicago. Now, being an international student, I have never visited Chicago and will most probably be unable to do so. </p>
<p>Several others (accepted and rejected) have shared similar concerns as the decisions were suprising. The people who were supposed to be a typically Chicago Student were rejected and vice versa. </p>
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<p>Pomona on the other hand has emerged as a better option. Weather, etc. + my boyfriend will be at CMC.</p>
<p>However, My dream college was Chicago and Now I don't know where to go...</p>
<p>Appreciate any help?</p>
<p>Both are highly regarded academically, and have very intellectual students. The main difference is that at Chicago, the work is just as challenging as at Pomona, but much more demanding, meaning the problem sets/etc. will be exhaustive, and you will be expected to do much more work every day. </p>
<p>Pomona would have a higher focus un undergraduates, while Chicago would have more name recognition because of its grad. programs.</p>
<p>Both are excellent choices.</p>
<p>Is that quote a concern? It seems to me like the highest compliment possible.</p>
<p>Both schools are excellent and you should be happy at either one (both are similar in many respects), but I don't exactly see what your newfound concern is based on. A few surprising admissions decisions say little about the school itself. Maybe the perceived "typical Chicago students" happened to write worse essays? There are too many factors involved to pin this on a shifting culture in the university itself.</p>
<p>BrassMonkey, I completely agree with your views on the academic excellence and rigor at both Pomona and Uchicago. My concern was largely focussed on the plethora or limitation of opportunities upon graduation. I hugely enjoy the intellectual environment and this was one of the main reasons I applied to Chicago. However, being an international student, an education in the United States for the sake of Academia is not feasible. My parents are anxious about the employment opportunities after completing four years. In other words, they want to ensure that their money is not simply wasted. While I understand the value of the intangible aspects of a college education, I must consider such factors as the amount of investment from my family's point of view almost makes on feel guilty.</p>
<p>VertigoFrog, Apologies for the confusion. The quote about the U of Chicago was what got me curious in the first place. That is definitely not the concern and I agree with you: It is the highest compliment possible. </p>
<p>Perhaps you are correct in pointing out that my view could have been based on a few decisions by themselves. I was basing my argument largely on two sources: the suprisingly significant group of applicants from my country, and hte uncommon application blog (an admissions blog administered by the admissions committee at the university of chicago. They use it mainly to communicate with students through a large medium and also for students to post comments and meet each other)</p>
<p>The blog was especially enjoyable over the past six months and made the experience of applying very worthwhile. In fact it was a pleasant change from the usual frantic parents (no offence) of CC evaluating, analyzing, asking, giving, requesting and judging stats. The college application process seemed to have a deeper meaning beyond the SAT.</p>
<p>The blog had several students posting, and there were a considerably large group of posters that contributed significantly to discussion and debate. Part of the reason for following that blog was because of these individuals. Everyone benefited and enjoyed the intellectual discussions ranging from politics, philosophy of college applications and lots more. Even the admissions committee often jumped into the discussion. However, as decisions were released, a complete shock came when the prominent posters and contirbuters to the community were rejected, and a few lucky one's waitlisted, while complete new strangers who had never spoken before were accepted. A facebook group for prospective students and admirers of Chicago's uncommon application compared stats (yes, it finally came down to this) and it was quite evident that the SAT played a significant role this time. </p>
<p>My anxiety is difficult to describe as I now feel I may have formed a single generalization about Chicago, and that may not have had a solid base. In other words, I feel like my bubble just burst.</p>