<p>I applied to both, but only visited Scripps, and I loved it. But logic tells me that if I got into both, Pomona is where I should go because it's bigger/higher-ranked/well-known. (Mind you, that's parental/adult logic, not my own :)) My logic tells me that Scripps is the most gorgeous college ever, right in the middle of everything, and might give me a half-tuition scholarship, and that Pomona is isolated from the other 4-C's and full of snobs. But I also didn't do an official Pomona visit, only a quick walkthrough during a 5-C tour, so that last part is kind of unfair. I'll probably revisit Claremont in April, but I'm just wondering if there are any current Scrippsies who had to make the same choice and chose Scripps or any applicants going through the same rough choice.</p>
<p>Interesting question. Not much of a choice given the huge difference in reputation, wealth and ranking.</p>
<p>It's a common situation to apply to both schools. For many, Scripps is where they chose because they didn't get into Pomona. It's handy since you could take classes there anyway, or even major there. It's not as difficult a decision as you think it might be. It'll become incredibly clear once you get financial aid offers. If you love them both, and like the Claremont schools in general, you might as well just go with whoever gives you more. 2 of my friends from high school went to Pomona and they're incredibly far from the snobby set.</p>
<p>I feel like most people don't get into two Claremont Colleges (though it does happen occasionally), so your decision will probably be made for you. </p>
<p>Personally, I like Scripps better. The campus is laid out a lot better. The smallness campus and experience of core foster more of a community, I feel, but I'm sure people at Pomona would argue with me on that one. Their both good schools (in terms of their repetition and experience), and I don't feel like you would regret either decision you make. Basic message: Relax! (And come to Scripps!)</p>
<p>Pomona plusses: Besides those already sited, more neuroscience profs; less intense core, only 1 class; reputation for great professors; spoil their students; greater variety of majors and courses; somewhat nicer dorm rooms; and then there is that prestige thing.</p>
<p>Scripps plusses: Beautiful campus; great women classmates; Accelerated Science curriculum for those who apply and are accepted (though may not be good for those going to Medical school); best food of the 5 C's; Probably more relevant core classes though take up 3 semester classes; merit aid possibilities.</p>
<p>Things that are great about both: 5 C's, and ability to take classes at all 5; great profs; dedicated students; great food and dorms</p>
<p>I would follow your gut. If you get accepted to Pomona, which you probably have a better than average chance to do, I would consider trying to make it to visit in April. Either school would be great, so you should consider the best fit for you.</p>
<p>Can anyone add to the plusses of each school?</p>
<p>I would actually say Scripps has slightly nicer dorm rooms. While Scripps does have merit aid possibilities, Pomona also gives out fantastic money. That's ultimately how my friend made her decision and she doesn't regret it. Scripps is best known for humanities, but I know a ridiculous number of premed students here, though neuroscience would be more easily done at Pomona.
And both schools spoil their students. A ton. During finals week last semester, Scripps had free massages for students, and Pomona rented puppies to play with.
Another consideration, though a more obvious one, would be the gender situation. Yes, Scripps is surrounded by co-ed schools so it's not terribly hard to find guys, but the reality is that the first group of friends you make on campus will be the people you live with, and at Scripps they will all be girls. They play it down a lot in admissions, because in the end it's not a big deal for most. If you go out to parties, your going to meet guys. If you join a 5C club, there will be guys. In your classes, especially off campus, there will be guys. You get my drift. But if all your friends are normally guys and you have a problem with or generally just don't like girls at all, the first semester may be tougher.</p>
<p>Thank you Eternal Icicle, much better coming from an actual student than a mom who just visited.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I feel like most people don't get into two Claremont Colleges (though it does happen occasionally), so your decision will probably be made for you.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why is this? Because of the overall selectivity? Wouldn't someone accepted to Pomona likely get into Pitzer or Scripps?</p>
<p>I know a lot of kids, myself included, who applied to multiple/all of the Claremont colleges, and even the ones who were accepted to Pomona weren't accepted at the others. I feel like it's because there's some amount of corroboration between the schools, though I have no actual evidence to back this up.
Someone from Pomona wouldn't necessarily get into Pitzer or Scripps. Just because you have great "stats" or whatever doesn't mean that you can get into whatever school you want. Every college is looking for a specific type of student that they would like to represent their student and Pomona and Pitzer students are, to generalize, very different.</p>
<p>Edit: Scripps definitely has the best dorms. I've spent time at most of the other dorms on Mudd, Pomona, and Pitzer and Scripps are definitely the cleanest and most interesting (though there are a couple really nice Pomona dorms with which you could make a good argument for interesting architecture). Neuroscience is also apparently really easy to major in at Scripps as I've been told it is the most popular science major here. However, whether or not a major or a class is offered at your school doesn't really matter at all. Except for some classes at Mudd and CMC, almost all classes are open to the 5Cs. Furthermore, I've also been told that it is significantly easier to create your own major at Pitzer and Scripps. Pomona food is the worst on campus, though that's a rather unimportant matter since all the other colleges have good food.</p>
<p>Just some random comments:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Shorter core is something to consider, but isn't an automatic plus. I loved Scripps' core, but it's sort of apples to oranges...</p></li>
<li><p>From the above post: "I feel like it's because there's some amount of corroboration between the schools, though I have no actual evidence to back this up." Admissions at all of the schools consistently deny this. It's been discussed on the boards before. No direct knowledge myself, but I believe that the admissions processes are independent.</p></li>
<li><p>Opinions vary re: dorms, food, and overall attractiveness. Whether you think that Scripps or Pomona is better in any given category, though, the bottom line is that they're both pretty great.</p></li>
<li><p>I believe that bio is the most popular science major among Scripps students (it's one of the most popular Scripps majors overall, along with English, politics, psych, and studio art).</p></li>
<li><p>They're both excellent schools. When/if your final decision actually does come down to both, visit Claremont again, see both schools, and then see how you feel. I assure you that you'll get a very strong (and comparable) education at either school.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Best of luck :)</p>
<p>I find it sad that students often do not get into more than one Claremont school. My D said that many of the students at the Scripps Scholars weekend had applied at both Scripps and Pomona. I think Pomona would be missing out if they choose not to admit some of those wonderful women into their school. I don't think it should be the schools choice, but the choice of the applicant on which school would be the best fit.</p>
<p>^ If you speak with admissions at either school (or run a search to find info from others who have), I'm almost certain that you'll find this to be the case.</p>
<p>I am sorry student615 I was reading your post wrong, and thought you were agreeing with PlanetaryPrincess that they did colaborate on admissions. I truly hope they are independent and students can get multiple acceptances to the schools.</p>
<p>I actually checked the stats for last year and their were people who were accepted to other Claremont schools as well as Scripps, so I do think they must be independent.</p>
<p>I personally know people who were accepted at multiple claremonts. I think it's much more likely for someone to be accepted to both Pomona and Scripps than any other combination of the Claremonts, in fact. Like PlanetaryPrinces said, the schools look for people who will mesh with the community they've created, and I think Pomona and Scripps attract very similar people. And I think it's likely that you'll be accepted to Scripps if you are accepted to Pomona. (Not vice versa, however)</p>
<p>I graduated from Scripps and had many friends there (and at the other colleges) that applied to several Claremont schools and were accepted by more than one. I highly doubt the admissions offices take the time to compare applicants - they're swamped with work as it is.</p>