<p>I've reached that time when I really have to decide what colleges I want to apply to and Pomona is definately a possibility. Basically, I loved EVERYTHING about Pomona when I visited EXCEPT I'm not sure about the academic aspect (which is sorta important ;D). I'm interested in majoring in physics and I have this fear that since Pomona is right next to Harvey Mudd (which I'm definitely not interested in) that their sciences (specifically physics) might be weaker. Another concern is that even if the program is fine, perhaps when I apply to grad school the question will be raised of why I went to Pomona and not Harvey Mudd, when it is clearly stronger in the sciences. Are my fears reasonable or not? I loved the school but I don't want to apply there if I'm not going to get the education I want. I thought I would see if I could get the perspective of someone with more insight than me into the school and it's science programs (specifically physics!) Your honesty is appreciated.</p>
<p>What people should realize is that Pomona and Harvey Mudd are very different schools. Harvey Mudd isn't just a school that's strong in the sciences, it's an ENGINEERING school. I don't think the two are comparable experiences, and I certainly hope that grad school admissions will know the difference. If Pomona is what you're looking for, then don't let its proximity to Harvey Mudd deter you from applying!</p>
<p>Also, the science department at Pomona (I'm not exactly sure about physics specifically) is one of their strongest departments so you really shouldn't worry about that. . . especially if you love the school so much!</p>
<p>Why would Pomona's proximity to Harvey Mudd make its sciences weaker? Does Harvard's proximity to MIT make it weaker in sciences? (HMC and MIT are somewhat specialized schools; Pomona and Harvard deliver liberal arts educations. They're apples and oranges.)</p>
<p>Physics at Pomona is very strong. Nobody will look down on you for choosing Pomona over Mudd.</p>
<p>Mudd and Pomona strengthen each other's science offerings</p>
<p>If anything having Harvey Mudd adds to Pomona's offerings. It's common for science majors at Pomona to take upper division classes at Harvey Mudd as well as Pomona; that way you'd be getting more bang for your buck!</p>
<p>I'm going to hijack this thread and ask:
Can any current students give their opinions on the strength of Pomona's Astronomy/Physics and Biology departments?</p>
<p>I guess I'm looking for more specifics, like workload, how interesting the professors make it, etc. It's especially important in Physics & Astronomy to have great profs...</p>
<p>...so no answers?! :(</p>
<p>I don't take classes in any of those fields so it is difficult to tell you how the professors or the amount of work you will do in general for the major. I can, however, send you to a site that is very accurate. I take classes at all the 5Cs and it is a very accurate source when choosing professors: <a href="http://www.ratemyprofessor.com%5B/url%5D">www.ratemyprofessor.com</a> check it out. Look up professors in there. Remember that most students write the reviews right after the finals... and look at general trends through the reviews and not a single review... you know, be diplomatic with it.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Looks like science is pretty strong at Pomona if one of the professors there (Tanenbaum) can get one of his undergrad physics majors (Frank) to coauthor an article in Science earlier this year... Electromechanical</a> Resonators from Graphene Sheets</p>
<p>Pomona has a good reputation science-wise, speaking as a silicon valley denizen who has worked here for 20+ years</p>
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Mudd and Pomona strengthen each other's science offerings
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<p>No offense but I don't really hear of many non-engineering-major Mudders taking many science courses at Pomona.</p>