<p>First off, after looking this Pomona looks amazing and it's definetly near the top of my list for schools!</p>
<p>But one thing is now bugging me. I'm looking at it's "first year admissions" page and they say "courses in computer programming and statistics, while desirable, should ot be substituted for these fundemental courses (4 years english, 4 years math with their "track", 2 years social science, 2 years lab science).</p>
<p>With my highschool career, I will meet the fundemental requirements. However, I am a full-IB diploma student, and my 6th-IB subject will be IB Philosophy, but we also offer IB computer science. I chose Philosophy because it's MUCH easier than computer science, I like it's curriculum more, the teacher is supposed to be amazing, etc. </p>
<p>Pomona says that computer programming/statistics is desirable, but I'm not sure how well I'd do in the class (I'm not very math-oriented, though, to be honest I'm not sure if computer science is very math related). Should I trade out philosophy for computer science?</p>
<p>And then for that matter, WHY WOULD Pomona say Computer Science is desirable? I mean, that's a very niche area....</p>
<p>Don’t confuse “desirable” with “preferable.” What Pomona is saying is that you can’t substitute computer programming/statistics for math courses. The latter are preferred. If you have computer programming/stats experience, that’s just icing on the cake.</p>
<p>My S may apply to Pomona. He went the more rigorous math route. After completing AP Cal BC as a soph, his teacher suggested he take a challenge and instead of taking AP Stats, he completed Linear Algebra last year, stepping up to MV Calc this year. I don’t think he’ll sweat over not yet having taken Stats.</p>
<p>(And no, he’s not interested in applying to Harvey Mudd or any place similar, since he wants his undergrad experience to be something more than STEM.)</p>
<p>From what we understood by reading this was that while classes in computer science and statistics are valuable to one’s education, they should not be taken instead of the more rigorous math and science classes. If you are really concerned about this statement I would email admissions for a clarification. </p>
<p>I’m an IB diploma kid, I already meet 4 years math, foreign language, history, science (all with lab…), and english.</p>
<p>But for my “6th” IB subject gives me a few choices, one of which is computer science. If it’d increase my chances of getting into Pomona, I’d seriously try to change out. If not, I’d stick with Philosophy which I think/hope I’ll really enjoy.</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend going with Philosophy, if thats what -you- are interested in. I also got into Pomona taking the Linear Algebra -> Multivariable route with no stats/comp sci, and I think that what really matters is doing well in the areas you are most excited about. Pomona shouldn’t penalize you for following your own academic interests, particularly if you can find some way to hook those interests into one of your essays.</p>
<p>And not to be too negative, but molding your life around something as iffy as admission to a particular college is probably not the best idea.</p>
<p>I know I know, I totally agree Sephirot. But I was/am also interested in Computer Science (depending on how much math there is, this I don’t know alot about), especially as my 6th IB subject. It’s not like I hated the class/subject and wanted to do it just because, kind of like most people who take AP Geology.</p>