<p>I have three days to decide between colleges, and I'm still trying to choose between Princeton University and Pomona College.
I have an inexplicable love for Pomona. I like the sense of community, small class sizes, and (theoretical) laid-back California feel. However, I don't actually know that much about the college, so my perceptions could be false.
And then there's Princeton. It's arguably a better school, with world-renowned professors and amazing opportunities unlike those available anywhere else (including Pomona). And it's not even as if it's radically different from Pomona: there's a strong focus on undergrads, and everyone who goes there praises the sense of community. Plus, the lifelong alumni connections I make there would be potentially useful, as I'd like to into politics someday.
But the bottom line is that I feel more comfortable with Pomona and I seem to like it better, but for no good reasons. When I visited campus, I didn't have any strong gut feelings - I've just built it up in my mind since I last visited. However, I'm not sure if I would forever regret turning down Princeton.
Any advice?</p>
<p>well i have an unavoidable bias here, but objectively (i'll try) i feel like you should examine both the factors in question. If you're primarily concerned with alumni connections and prestige (which i wouldn't fault you for, if you want to go into politics; as much as we hate to admit it, it matters), then i would say princeton. However, if you really want a close-knit community, a great social experience, and plan on going further to the next step in academia, i would say pomona (since their grad school placement and undergraduate focus is wonderful). I feel that if you do wonderfully at either school, you could end up at the same place anyway, so you should go where you prefer. However, it may take just an extra push / bit more effort at pomona, since a degree from princeton is, well, a safety blanket. </p>
<p>look at the case of asdfasdf1212 </p>
<p>"dont make the same mistake that i made-
i always wanted to go to pomona, but then i got caught up in the name game, went against my gut feeling, and went to princeton.
biggest regret ever.
im applying to transfer to pomona right now - who says there's no second chance for happiness?"</p>
<p>Win-win. Either way, good luck! Cheers.</p>
<p>"But the bottom line is that I feel more comfortable with Pomona and I seem to like it better, but for no good reasons. When I visited campus, I didn't have any strong gut feelings - I've just built it up in my mind since I last visited."</p>
<p>Dude... don't kid yourself. From what you say you'd be doing yourself a disservice by NOT going to Pomona. Don't do something based on the name, and Pomona itself has an incredible name so really no question.</p>
<p>"inexplicable love". </p>
<p>When is love ever explicable?</p>
<p>Anyway, go where you really want to go.</p>
<p>When you get to the level of Ivys, Pomona, Chicago, Duke, etc., the academics are all terrific and it really doesn't matter which one you go to in terms of getting the best education possible. Unless Princeton is incredibly strong in your program, go with your gut - Pomona is a fantastic school that many would kill to get into!</p>
<p>You may find that some people have no clue about Pomona (interestingly enough, my guidance counselor had never heard of it or any of the Claremont schools...), but these are likely the same people who have never heard of UChicago. A degree from Pomona might not have the "wow factor" of Princeton at some places, but you wouldn't want to work/go to grad school at a place that has never heard of such a touted college.</p>
<p>Thousands of people turn down Ivy Leage offers every year because they have found something that is better for them. And it certainly seems that Pomona is better for you! Besides, I live in New Jersey, and it really is as horrible as everyone says. I would hate to spend four unnecessary years in this atrocious weather and ungodly stench. California is beautiful.</p>
<p>I would go to Princeton. Well, Princeton is still a very undergrad-focused institution unlike many of other ivies. So, in that respect, it won't be that different from the educational 'feel' of Pomona. Keep in mind that if you turn down P, you won't have a second chance at it. You can go there and if u don't like it, you could try to transfer. But, you can't do that the other way around. Also, from what i hear, Princeton, too, excels in the sense of community, social life, individualized education, etc.</p>
<p>jess,
I would normally advocate for Princeton, but your post reads like you really prefer Pomona and would be happier there. As others have indicated, both schools provide exceptional undergrad experiences and terrific students come out of both. </p>
<p>You're obviously a terrific and talented student and you're the one that going to make a success of your life, so don't let the institution's name define you and your choice. If the prestige of Princeton is really the only thing holding you back from accepting Pomona, then I'd strongly urge you to resist that prestige pull and go where your heart leads you, which seems like Pomona.</p>
<p>Jess Life is too short to have regrets and you would probably regret not giving yourself the opportunity to go to a school you really love. Let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>jess--have you visited Princeton? If you did, what were your impressions?</p>
<p>sjwilson your post make me laugh out loud . They must use an air cleaner/deodorizer at Princeton, 'cause it smelled pretty good this April 12 - 14 or whenever Thurs - Sat was that week. Princeton isn't California, but its not urban blight and bad odors. It was a very pleasant atmosphere with a nice small town feel.</p>
<p>I know I should say "Go to Pomona - follow your gut" but I'm not going to do that. I would NEVER turn down Princeton for Pomona. Princeton is magical - a gorgeous campus in an adorable, charming town, and a big group of some of the greatest minds in the world. You go to college for an education, and while Pomona is a superb school, Princeton has the pick of the best. As far as a gut feel goes, I would think that 99% of people would be happy either place. Princeton has a fantastic community feel. There are so many wonderful restaurants there as well. You will enjoy the seasons in NJ for that classic northeastern college experience. The fall colors are amazing. The snow on the campus in the winter is lovely. The flowers in the spring are beautiful, and by May you will be wearing shorts and flip flops as the warm summer hits the area. You get it all. The Jersey shore is a hoot in the summer (check out towns like Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Bay Head, Ocean City and Mantaloking), and you can visit NYC any time in an hour by train (or Philly for that matter). The ability to easily hop a train to NYC opens up quite an opportunity for you career-wise. The eating clubs are so gorgeous! Just think, you can take your kids there someday and walk around Palmer Square with your crazy black and orange class blazer! Lucky you, by the way, to get the chance to consider turning down Princeton!</p>
<p>BTW - NJ does not have horrible weather. It has 4 great seasons. With respect to "stench"??? Some of the most gorgeous towns in the USA are in NJ. Princeton is one of them. Clearly this poster does not really know NJ, or at least the charming, horsey parts. Passing through Newark, or living in a little city near there, perhaps it could be gross. But that is VERY far from Princeton, and no different from ugly areas in every state (including, I can assure you, California).</p>
<p>Probably the most compelling reason for you to picl Princeton is that you can be a Giants fan. Enough said.</p>
<p>Pomona is an amazing college experience and they cater to students. My son had such a rich 4 years with incredible research and paid internship experiences. My close friends son went to Princeton and was very stressed though he did well, for 4 years, he needed to take a year off and do nothing after to recover . He is now in med school doing quite well, brilliant boy but did not enjoy his time in Princeton, feels med school is a breeze in comparison .Academically both will give you what you need but college is a life experience in all senses. I have been so impressed with the students and faculty at Pomona and the way students are catered to. Personally I'd turn down Princeton in a heartbeat for Pomona but I am not you and only you know what school is the best place for you. Trust your gut in this. Let us know what you decide and best of luck.</p>
<p>Princeton is a person that most of your friends think she/he is drop dead georgeous, but this person does not do anything to you. Pomona is a person that most of your friends think she/he is cute, but you really like this person. Who do you want to marry? The person that your friends like or the person that you like.
My advice is to go with your gut feelings. They are both great schools. I would vote for Pomona.</p>
<p>From another board:</p>
<p>"On a side note, my friend's daughter goes to Princeton. She arrived an enthusiastic scientist and dropped science like a hot rock after her first year because of the "eat their young" atmosphere. I didn't even let my daughter apply because of that-- it's her passion and I didn't want it drilled out of her. So maybe your son is on to something?"</p>
<p>I wouldn't dare suggest that's typical. But I also can't imagine such a thing being written about Pomona. </p>
<p>You've already won the lottery and proved your worth - you've gotten into two great schools. You have nothing left to prove. Go where you feel comfortable, and challenged, (whichever that is), and the rest will take care of itself.</p>
<p>mini: "You have nothing left to prove."</p>
<p>This from the poster in the Great Northwest. You know, if you plan on settling in a place like it, the name "Princeton" probably won't move people all that much. I like that about places like Portland or Seattle. But if you plan on trying to dig into corporations on the East Coast (or in other countries), it can help tremendously (not that I agree with that, but I know it is true). Recruiters I have known for top training programs won't even interview a person unless his resume lists one of about 5 or 6 schools. That being said, you don't need to go to ANY top school to be successful. There IS something left to prove, however, to people in your future who may be hiring you. I think your future career plans should be factored in here. If you want to go into investment banking and get in with a top firm on Wall Street, for example, you'd be crazy not to go to Princeton. You can be successful there anyway, but a Princeton degree will open doors.</p>
<p>The Princeton "eat their young" characterization is plain false.
Princeton has a higher graduation rate than Pomona and a much higher alumni giving rate- the highest of any university. The atmosphere is as supportive as the numbers imply.
Now are you more likely to run into someone SMARTER than you at Princeton than at Pomona, well yeah.</p>
<p>There is nine pages of this foolishness in the Rejecting Harvard thread. You don't turn down Princeton for Pomona, that would be a regret. While you could be the "cool kid" that turned down big bad ivy for the "little LAC that could" it is simply not a wise choice. Some people I guess have the luxury of doing so and if you family is in the position financially for you to do so then I guess attending a cute little 4 yr hideaway from the diversity of the real world would be a cool vacation, but if we are talking opportunity and academics and exposure to world leaders and students from all over the globe (beyond just a single token one) then Princeton is the obvious choice. Why this is even a discussion is beyond me.</p>
<p>UCLA love your open minded approach to life, makes me want to take your advice</p>
<p>Based on the fact that I don't see any concrete reasoning in your post for liking Pomona, or for disliking Princeton, in addition to the fact that finances do not seem to be a concern, I think Princeton is the best choice here, unless you really feel you'd be unhappy there.</p>
<p>As a Pton alum, I can tell you many good things about the place. My major qualification that I feel compelled to mention to prospective students is the social scene. The eating clubs still dominate upperclass social life and the selective ones can be exclusionary, to the distress of some students left out. Other non-selective clubs are welcome ways to break fairly large student population into manageable pieces. Getting to know more of the talented, diverse student body well can be easier that way.
Look for the eating club thread in Princeton category.
Pton has tried to diminish Club influence for years. Current approach seems to be to present strong alternatives to the clubs, such as beefed up "college" system, that seems inspired by, but different from, Yale. I think this has helped a great deal. Pomona sounds a very different place, with students not already jockeying for influence in their lives after college, as some Pton students seem to be. There are snobs still at Princeton, but they can be avoided. If you are reasonably brave and outgoing you should thrive.
Let us know what you decide.</p>