UChicago vs. Pomona (vs. others)

<p>I need some help deciding about which college best fits my interests. I have pretty much narrowed down my choice to Pomona and UofC and I recently did overnight stays at each. Both were very positive experiences, but I have some questions.</p>

<p>At Pomona, I found the student body to be extremely warm and welcoming. I was there on a Monday night, so I didn’t get to see much of the partying, but they told me that they usually had fun. I sat in on some classes, but I was discouraged by the fact that they didn’t seem as intellectual as I had hoped. Many of the students in the class (some from Pitzer) hadn’t even done the reading and were strolling through Tumblr during class. Is this normal at Pomona? Or are most students involved, intellectual, passionate? </p>

<p>At Chicago, I could recognize in the model classes that students were really excited to be there, excited to be learning. But, while my host was extremely nice, I felt that the prospective student body was rather cold. What are students usually like, socially? I went to a frat party and dispelled the common rumors about the place “where fun goes to die,” but I want to be sure that I will be embraced if I go to UofC.</p>

<p>So, what I’m looking for is a kind, warm, friendly student body (that likes to party) that is passionate about learning. If I’m misreading my experiences and both places offer such a lifestyle, let me know. I’m just curious.</p>

<p>Also, I am considering Middlebury, Wesleyan and Reed. Might these be any closer to my interests?</p>

<p>Reed sounds closest to this, but I would visit them all! Congrats on Middlebury and Pomona, by the way.</p>

<p>I know this is almost a year old, but I’m a senior now and I’ve applied to both of these schools. I’m interested in this comparison so… bump!</p>