Pre-med looking at LACs

College Search & Selection
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I agree, it’s best to see it for yourself and get your thoughts on it. In my experience as a Pomona student without a license or car, it was very easy for me to access the area due to the numerous opportunities at the school and the quick walk to the train station. I’m from a major city with no trains or a reliable public transportation system, so it was a huge improvement from what I’m used to, but I could see someone from NYC, DC, SF, and the like finding it to be an inconvenient hassle.

Also, I should emphasize that the station is not being proposed to be eliminated due to poor ridership. LA recently approved a Gold Line light-rail expansion all the way to Claremont, which will connect to Downtown LA and run more frequently for much cheaper. In the Metrolink, there are 13 stops, with Claremont and Montclair being extremely close to one another (1.3 miles) while the other stops are separated by 3-15 miles. So there are thoughts about eliminating the Claremont station due to the redundancy, leaving it alone at Montclair since they wouldn’t have a Gold Line connection. Most students are concerned less about the station closing eventually (since the Gold Line is coming) and more that there will be 0 convenient public transit options to LA while construction is happening (if Metrolink closes before construction ends). I’ve heard from an administrator that if Metrolink is severed prior to the Gold Line opening, the school will provide rides for students to get to the Montclair station and back home. We’ll see what happens since they’ll decide within this month.

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The Metro Board has voted to keep the Claremont Metrolink station open:
https://www.claremont-courier.com/articles/news/t26529-metro

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My Pomona graduate found the light rail easy to use. There is a lot more than downtown when living in such a dense populated area. The comedy clubs she would regularly visit were not downtown and a much closer commute.

I think the greater question is what schools will help on the pre med track. I can only say I have noticed two things from my daughter’s group of friends, both at Pomona and from her hometown, both will get you into med school. The only notable difference I can see is that the few friends who are on track to be doctors from Pomona had a easier time getting into Med schools. Her local friends (bright students) had a much tougher time getting into their schools of choice.

I think it is important to note, at the end of the day, all of them will become doctors. Go to the school you like best and can see yourself living for the next four years.

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I went to La Salle University in Philly for my freshman year. I learned the SEPTA system very quickly.
I’m from New Jersey, & I’d only taken a bus to the mall or straight into NYC before college.