<p>HEY
I am interested in a science major, preferably neuroscience (i am headed towards some medical field.)</p>
<p>I really like Claremont Mckenna, but I am not sure that it is the school for me since it is really focused on gov and econ stuff from what i have heard.
here are my stats--i know that this is no safety school for me, but i want to see if i have a shot at it. THANKS</p>
<p>California resident
unweighted GPA: 3.73
APs: Bio, 5; Calc BC, 5; US History, 4; English language and comp, 4.
ec's:
Red cross Youth corp member for 4 years--treasurer
Hope Can cure cancer club for 4 years-Webmaster and Icc rep
Spanish Club for 2 years---treasurer
Project ascent for 2 years---(this is a leadership program. i traveled with other high school students to Beijing and HOngkong to do community service, such as visiting and preparing classes for orphanages and meeting up and interacting with chinese high school students. this program is supposed to not only help us gain more leadership experience but also understand our roots and our situation as chinese americans.)
Swimming ( though not a school, just over the summer) for 3 years.
Next year schedule: AP gov, spanish 4, Calc D, psychology, AP stats, Myth and science fiction, AP chem.</p>
<p>i really like the whole claremont college thing that they have over there... that is what really appeals to me. i am also interested in Pomona college, although i know it is a stretch. what i am worried about is whether or not i am just choosing any claremont college just because i want to be part of the claremont experience. if possible, would another claremont college be better for me?</p>
<p>thanks so much!</p>
<p>It sounds like you’ve done some reading about the college consortium. I think it is the best aspect of each college- that they are a part of the consortium. But you have addressed a very important idea. Each college is very different. They have very different academic and social environments. I would not recommend applying to a Claremont college simply because it is a member of the consortium. Certain things should steer you to certain colleges. In your case, your ideal major is unique. Pomona has its own science department. Scripps, Pitzer, and CMC pooled their resources for a single department. So major-wise you’re really looking at Pomona vs. Harvey Mudd vs. Scripps, Pitzer, CMC. I would encourage you to look more specifically about the social environments on campus. They are very different. </p>
<p>Yes, schools have specializations. Or maybe more correctly put, there are subjects each school is more known for. But there are many students are each school who don’t major is the stereotypical major. I know several science majors at CMC. </p>
<p>As for your personal applications to the Claremont Colleges:</p>
<p>It’s hard to asses your potential acceptances w/o SAT scores….</p>
<p>GPA- its good. That won’t hurt you at any of the Claremont schools. </p>
<p>Are you female? If so, check out Scripps- they have the highest percent of science majors in the 5Cs. </p>
<p>Your Ecs are okay. As you felt the need to describe them to us, you’ll need to do some well-written explanations of them on your apps. </p>
<p>Hope this helps- you need to post SATs before anyone would be able to suggest acceptances.</p>
<p>Thank you for the input, Elizzan87.</p>
<p>Oh, I completely forgot about SATs..</p>
<p>SATI: CR:610 WR:750 M:780
Bio: 740
Math IIC: 760</p>
<p>and i am a female, asian, living in California.</p>
<p>i thought about scripps too, but i didnt really like that it is a womens college.
i liked Harvey Mudd's environment but i felt that they focused too much on the engineering majors and not enough on what i am looking for. mckenna and pomona sort of stuck out for me. so... you are saying that with my interests, i should try to aim for pomona? but mckenna wouldn't be a bad choice, right?</p>
<p>I'm saying aim for both. I'm saying that CMC or Pomona would fit you. </p>
<p>SATs look good.</p>
<p>Bon Chance!</p>
<p>try to retake to get CR up? it wont hurt you a lot but if you can riase it i think you stand a good chance</p>
<p>umm scripps is a womans college but it doesnt really matter. all 5 colleges are within a square mile so its not like youll b away from men or anything. </p>
<p>id say youve got a decent chance at CMC, not sure about pomona though. good luck</p>
<p>and this is very rough, but this is what the tshirt stereotypes were for pomona/cmc, cant remember the rest</p>
<p>Pomona - the ivies called, they want their pretension back
CMC - id sell my soul for a keg and an internship</p>
<p>i just visited the college today.. the campus is okay, but it is not as nice as i expected.
but i was worried that because mckenna is a liberal arts school, they put a lot of stress on liberal arts and not enough on sciences. i didnt get to see the labs or anything so i dont really know if going there as a science major is a good thing. can you guys give me some perspectives on this? </p>
<p>on the otherhand, pomona now seems much more appealing--and not just physically. while mckenna focuses mainly on gov and econ, pomona seems to have greater diversity--as in, there are a lot of students majoring in natural sciences--33% i believe.
but what i am worried about there is whether i can get in or not.</p>
<p>I think you have a decent chance at both, although Pomona is more segregated from the rest of the colleges so you would get less of the claremont consortium feeling. Joint Science is a great program and has a great breadth of topics. lots of new neurosci courses. Good luck</p>
<p>Yes, Pomona does have a nicer campus. Yes, they have a strong science program. But you did ask for perspective so I'll give you some- or at least what I think. Per my comments above, I would recommend you check out Keck, the joint science department. Arrange a tour, a meeting with professors, and the like. </p>
<p>You went to CMC (and the other 5Cs) and a depressing time. What is a college campus without college students? It's much worse. I went on a summer program to one of the 5Cs when I was in high school. I came back sure that I did not want to go to the school. But then I visited it when school was in session. I didn't really recognize the place. The once empty field had students playing football. The once empty classrooms had students learning. It may sound cheesy but honestly, check out the 5Cs when the students are there. I promise you will like it better....</p>
<p>Since i see that you are interested in the medical field, i would like to introduce to you the 7 year joint medical program offered at Pitzer College, which i will be attending this year. Pitzer, Scripps, and CMC share the Keck Joint Science Center, where all you bio, chem, orgo lectures and lab will be held at. Definitely check that building out- especially when students are there.</p>
<p>if you have any quesiton, PM me.</p>