<p>First, how competitive are summer research opportunities, particularly in the sciences? Would a student in good academic standing be assured at least one such opportunity?</p>
<p>Second, what is the sense of community like at Pomona (something I have had difficulty judging)? Are they friendly? Supportive? Competitive? Helpful? Individualistic? If youre feeling down, would there be people to turn to? Would the average student try to cheer you up?</p>
<p>These questions would be best answered by current/former Pomona students, but anyone with something to say can feel free to chime in.</p>
<p>The SURPS aren't difficult to get at all, and the majority of them are in the sciences. As a freshman I was able to secure research funding over the summer before sophomore year, and that isn't unheard of at all.</p>
<p>The community at Pomona is very supportive. People are laid-back, and seem to above all care about them and the people around them having a good time. Academically, students don't compete with eachother, but rather seek eachothers help to survive some of the tougher classes. Since in general, classes are not graded on a curve, people tend to work in groups, because it allows them to learn the most from the other bright people around them, and then they tend to do better in the class. Of the adjectives you mentioned, helpful, supportive and friendly stand out.</p>
<p>People are pretty friendly; within a few months most people make some very good friends, and voila, there's your support group if you're feeling down or need anything.</p>