<p>in the time since he applied, he has now decided he wants to be an engineer. He has been accepted and we are trying to figure a way for this to work. We saw that you can NOT cross major at Harvey Mudd but he could do physics with an engineering "focus". If he did that, could he go to grad school for Engineering and how would that path work? Thanks in advance for your help or experiences!</p>
<p>That isn’t uncommon fidoprincess. 
The other option is the 3+2 program with Caltech or Washington University in St Louis. This may provide a program that works for him!</p>
<p>[Special</a> Programs and Opportunities - Pomona College - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“Pomona College - Acalog ACMS™”>Special Programs and Opportunities - Pomona College - Acalog ACMS™)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks carimama, he saw that but sadly, there is no financial aid for the last two years so that wouldn’t work for him. </p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone has done the physics undergrad with engineering emphasis and then successfully gone to eng grad school.</p>
<p>I am sure that what you are proposing is certainly an option. One of the beauties of the US education system, is that no student is locked into one outcome through their choices while an undergrad. There are way too many outstanding LACs, like Pomona, with great students. Engineering schools would be losing out on outstanding candidates.</p>
<p>One option for you if you don’t get specific Pomona alums or undergrads answering is to check the graduate Engineering programs to see what they say. I checked quickly what they say on the USC Engineering site. At least for the one program I looked at, they were looking for a major in Engineering, Math, or a Hard Science, which Physics definitely falls under. Plus if he has ended up with Mudd classes as well and maybe even a recommendation from one of their Professors as well, though I don’t think that is necessary, then they see that he has indeed experienced what he is going into.</p>
<p>There is nothing to fear as far as a choice of Pomona. It is an excellent one and he can still reach wherever his dreams take him.</p>
<p>There is still institutional aid at that point. I would talk to Pomona about it. In fact, WUSTL has a scholarship for a student annually for 1/2 tuition also. There are very few kids who apply for that program. And since the first degree isn’t conferred until the entire program is complete, it isn’t the “second batchelor degree” the student is earning. If they have sufficient AP credit going in, it may be more like a 2+2 program. For 2 degrees. :)</p>
<p>FWIW, my D’s final COA after grants/scholarships at Pomona was nearly identical to her package at Caltech.</p>
<p>Well, he is off to do the overnight and the admitted student day tomorrow so I hope he can get some of his questions answered. I certainly would like for him to go to Pomona. I am in love with the small class sizes and the fact that the students seem really happy. The quality of everything seems great from the food to the professors. Thanks for all of your help!</p>
<p>GvaMom, His other choices include Columbia SEAS. Don’t you have a child at Columbia? How has it been for your child? He flies out Thursday for their student days on Friday and Saturday. I have read that it’s the #1 most stressful school so comparing that to Pomona’s happy students is really hard to do!</p>
<p>His is also weighing a full ride to UCSD (but with a >3.5 gpa requirement), Cal with Regents(3.0gpa requirement) and USC (but they are a bit higher priced by about $2500 and included loans.)</p>
<p>Hard choices! Thanks again for your help.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I can’t help you on Columbia. My older S is at Lafayette and my younger S is class of 2017. However, my younger S did look at Columbia, but even the half core with the Engineering program was not at all appealing, as he wanted to be able to choose his own educational options. He will be going to Swarthmore (Pomona was his very, very close second choice). I worry sometimes that he might have preferred Pomona in the end.</p>
<p>I know that the full ride is very attractive, but the lifelong benefits and experience of a LAC education should not be discounted. My S decided the university including Ivies were better options for graduate school. Good luck through the process.</p>
<p>Thank you, I don’t know why I thought you had one at Columbia-oops. </p>
<p>Mine is at Pomona now so I hope he is having a good time and asking lots of questions. I think Pomona is MY first choice for him! </p>
<p>Do you know that every other school that he did overnights for made him bring a sleeping bag but Pomona said they would have bedding all ready for him along with a meal card? I think that is wonderful! He flies to Columbia next week and we are dreading dragging along the sleeping bag. You would think they’d have some other option for out of state kids now that almost all the airlines charge $25 per bag! I am trying to figure out how to smash one into a piece of carry on and then he can just leave it there.</p>
<p>I also have a class of 2017 daughter so I am glad that I found CC now and have learned so much to help her when the time comes!</p>
<p>The Administration at Pomona and the 5 Colleges are VERY GOOD about making situations like this work, especially for those students that really want a 5C (5 College) education. I would encourage you and your son to reach out and explain the situation, its rather likely that they will have a great resolution.</p>
<p>@fidoprincess My D went through AGONY 3 years ago deciding between Columbia and Pomona. She finally chose Pomona and even today we say, what if??? She attended both admitted student days and really liked both, it came down to being close to home (Columbia is a 1/2 drive away) and venturing to a new, warm area of the country. Pomona has afforded her so many wonderful opportunities and she has made full use of all the 5 Cs has to offer. I think many times she considers herself a Claremont college student even before a Pomona student. Good luck 
Feel free to PM me.</p>