<p>I'm considering to apply ED to a liberal arts college but I'm torn between Williams and Pomona. I'm from Singapore so I've not had the chance to visit both schools but "fit" aside, do you think it wise to choose Pomona over Williams just because I'm will adapt much better to the Californian weather?</p>
<p>i.e., Is the difference in grad school/employer reputation and academics so minute that I should make my decision based on other relatively trivial factors?</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Pomona other than that it’s a super good school, I just haven’t researched it much. However, weather is a consideration that lots of people think is important, just like living anywhere. </p>
<p>If it is important to you to be somewhere where the weather is what you are used to and it’s what you like, then it makes a difference to pick somewhere where you are comfortable. If you like the idea of shaking it up for 4 years and doing something completely different for the sake of adventure, some people like to do that. If you really hate and despise the cold, a Massachusetts winter in the Berkshires will affect you.</p>
<p>For you I think the difference in distance between Singapore and Williams is significant. Take it into consideration.</p>
<p>The only other thing I know is that East Coast and West coast general person-on-the-street recognition of schools is different. Williams is more recognized in the Northeast, Pomona more in California. Grad schools should recognize both as good/great undergrad schools.</p>
<p>Considering that each school has a less-than-20%-acceptance rate, maybe you should apply to both, hope to get into at least one, and if you are very very fortunate THEN you would get to choose.</p>
<p>no distinction whatsoever in terms of overall caliber of students, employer / grad school reputation or quality of education between Pomona or Williams (or Amherst or Swarthmore). And I wouldn’t characterize quality of life considerations / personal fit as trivial at all – if you will be happier at a school, you are likely to have a better experience in all respects, including academics. So your decision among schools that are essentially even should be based on where you think you will be happiest and will thrive, and if weather is a determinative factor in that regard, then you should not hesitate to choose on that basis.</p>
<p>Let’s play the ED game and say he goes ED1 to Williams and heaven forbid, gets in. He’ll get a fine education, but suppose he hates the weather. Hates it, hates it, hates it. He hasn’t received a prison sentence to Williams, he can transfer. And someone wanting to transfer FROM Williams is going to look pretty good to a lot of other, warmer-weather schools. Some pretty good schools, maybe even Pomona.</p>
<p>The odds of getting into either Williams or Pomona are low, so you have to maximize your chances of getting in to either one. Worrying about the weather is a little presumptuous - just get in, unless the weather thing is such a big deal you don’t want to go there at all. If you get in and hate it, transfer. The only thing you’ve given up by going ED1 to Williams is the CHANCE you would have gotten into Pomona ED1 and having gotten in, liked it there.</p>
<p>This is a little like saying that if you marry Jennifer Anniston, you won’t have the chance to marry Angelina Jolie. Oh wait a minute, Brad Pitt did that. Most of us aren’t Brad Pitt. Just be happy you got a shot at either one. Unless you can’t figure out the appeal of Angelina Jolie, in which case, pick Jennifer and be happy with it.</p>