<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 didnt 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 didnt seem as intellectual as I had hoped. Many of the students in the class (some from Pitzer) hadnt 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 Im looking for is a kind, warm, friendly student body (that likes to party) that is passionate about learning. If Im misreading my experiences and both places offer such a lifestyle, let me know. Im just curious.</p>
<p>Also, I am considering Middlebury, Wesleyan and Reed. Might these be any closer to my interests?</p>
<p>I would say that a few classes at Pomona are like that, I mean all colleges have some classes where the professor just can’t get the students engaged. BUT I feel that most classes at Pomona are not like that. I’m in a intro philosophy course right now that is VERY interesting and engaging and nobody is on their computers unless they are saving paper by looking at the a pdf of the readings. My ID1 (freshman seminar) class last year was also extremely interesting and everybody did the reading and therefore actively participated in class conversations. Maybe the class you went to that day happened to not be so great? Hopefully you’ll reconsider your opinion on Pomona classes! Also the intellectual atmosphere is amazing here. I find myself having philosophical discussions at dinner and late into the night, movie analysis, conversations about the latest events, it goes on. To say the least, we’re also pretty smart at Pomona too :)</p>
<p>I can’t say anything about any of the other colleges - I’m sorry! But I’m really glad that you found Pomona welcoming/friendly. 
I felt like I belonged from the first day I moved in!</p>
<p>Both schools meet those criteria, just because they’re so broad. Most classes at Pomona are discussion based- more than UofC, easily, just because of class sizes. If the professor is engaging (if you’ve done your research, certainly yes), then students will discuss. There are people who here are geniuses about 17th century poetry, there are people here who speak 7 languages, and there are people here who are passionate about dancing. Interested in learning? Yes. Interesting, period? Definitely. Don’t worry too much about that. I’m sure UofC has nice people, too. </p>
<p>These two schools have a huge differences that should really be the differentiating factors in your choice. Personally, I’d choose any of your other choices over UofC, just because those schools have no grad departments, no TAs, and smaller classes. You get a lot more individual attention at smaller schools, for obvious reasons. Whether you want that is up to you- I think it’s a plus, especially if you’re paying them. UofC also has hefty requirements, I believe, which will also make a huge difference in your life. Things like food matter. Look up the professors in the departments you’re interested in. If you want to be “embraced,” few schools do that better than Pomona, because of the community feel, the sponsor groups, and things like Orientation Adventure. And, of course, weather. Choose Pomona and you can go outside without your snot freezing.</p>
<p>I believe that U Chicago really takes the cake in terms of academic excellence. It is really second to only the very top ivy’s in terms of reputation and name recognition. Pomona has virtually none. I think the student’s at Pomona tend to be a little apathetic about their studies, whereas at Chicago they really seem to dive in to them. </p>
<p>I think students at both schools have plenty of fun. If it were me, I would choose Chicago.</p>
<p>I didn’t apply to either of these schools though. NYU all the way!!</p>
<p>Name-recognition has very little to do with academic excellence, particularly in this case. As for reputation, Pomona and Chicago are virtually the same, if something like grad school acceptance rates and phd production are any objective indication. The “student’s” at Pomona are not apathetic about their studies at all- quite the opposite, in fact. I’m interested in the reasoning behind that comment. We’re stereotyped as “laid-back,” but academics are certainly a priority here. We’re just also interesting in ways beyond the classroom- don’t get confused. </p>
<p>To the op: This thread has some good replies: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/833388-uchicago-vs-pomona.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/833388-uchicago-vs-pomona.html</a></p>
<p>I’m from New York City, so I guess the vibe just took me for surprise. You know alot more about Pomona than I do! If you are a student there, that is</p>