USC to Pomona?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
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<p>This is super tough for me. I come from a very small high school (my graduating class was 80 students, the largest in the school's history) and all of our classes were discussion based. I'm A HUGE TALKER. I love talking to fellow students and hearing their opinions/criticisms. I'm not getting that at USC. Although I love all my classes and teachers, I miss talking to the students in my classes, not just asking the teacher questions. I don't want to hear just the teacher's opinion- I want to hear what the students think as well.</p>

<p>That's why I'm thinking about transferring to a smaller, LAC. I've already decided it HAS to be in Southern California (for multiple reasons), and Pomona seems like a great fit. Problem is, I applied to CMC early decision in high school and was rejected. I also got rejected from Pomona, but I didn't really try hard. I was focused on USC and CMC.</p>

<p>I also am not really feeling the social life at USC. I don't really like the Greek life, but I feel it's a major part of the weekend scene here. As a girl, I can go to all the parties if I want to (as per frat policy), but I don't really want to go to them...</p>

<p>I like all the opportunities I have here at USC. Lots of major to choose from (great for me since I'm interested in nearly everything, I'm planning a five year Cognitive Science + Economics with a Political Science minor at the moment) and the career connections are difficult to deny.</p>

<p>But.... I miss my crazy alternative/intellectual high school and the people who attended. I miss staying up till 4am with my best friend talking about political philosophy and modernity. I miss the small 10 person classes where the students did most of the talking. I miss the parties where I know basically everyone there.</p>

<p>I'm not even sure I'd get into Pomona. I'll probably have an A- in two classes, an A+ in one, and sadly, if I'm lucky, a B- in Calculus. I know I could already get some stellar recommendations from teachers, and I could write a good essay describing what I'm describing right now.</p>

<p>What should I do? What would you do? advice please, I'm very lost.</p>

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<p>Your reasons for wanting to transfer make sense. That being said, transfer chances for Pomona are very slim. You probably already know that. No harm in giving it a shot, but good to have a back up plan as well. Have you taken a look at Scripps? Some people are turned off by the “all female” college aspect, but it’s a beautiful school with a proud tradition and it sits right in the middle of all the co-ed Claremont colleges, so the single sex aspect is not a big deal in reality. It’s easy to cross register for classes at the Claremont colleges, so you could take quite a few classes at Pomona. Anyway, something to think about. Occidental is also an appealing option.</p>

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<p>Are you willing to consider an out-of-state college? Have you looked into Reed College?</p>

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<p>I was accepted to Scripps when I applied.</p>

<p>This may sound naive, but I don’t want to transfer down. I know college rankings have a lot of issues, but I’m worried employers (and grad schools) really care about the rankings . USC is a well know University, while Reed is not (also too North). </p>

<p>I’d consider Scripps, but I’m worried it doesn’t have that name recognition. Is that stupid? Does that matter?</p>

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<p>If you apply to Pomona after being rejected once, they’re going to go through your app with a fine tooth comb and there’s a good chance your turning down Scripps when you had the chance will be a factor against you. Did you by any chance apply to Pitzer too?</p>

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<p>Grad schools? Are you joking me, onemoretime17? I can tell you with certainty that Reed as an institution would be seen in a better light than USC in ANY grad school in the US. Scripps is a wonderful institution as well and I think that it has some strong alumni connections (applies to Mt Holyoke and Smith too). I really think you need to give what you want from a college precedence over how you think others will perceive it. However, I think you can find the intellectual circle at USC too if you look hard enough – the school is big, but that creates diversity of students.</p>

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<p>Colorado college?</p>

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<p>Current transfer student here. Do re-apply if you feel like it. I know for a fact that some of the transfers here got rejected then re-applied as a transfer and got in. It’s worth a shot. Go for it, but look for other options too.</p>

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<p>I agree in terms of reputation – both Reed and Scripps have steller reputations - but I dont’ think you’d want to apply to Reed as it’s just not S. California at all. My daughter is currently very happy at Pomona and a sophomore - but has said she would also be happy at Scripps - so I’d apply to both of those.</p>

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<p>Jackyt, that is so reassuring. I didn’t even try to get into Pomona when I applied- I was focused on CMC and USC. No interview, no enthusiasm. Now I have really good reasons for wanting to go to Pomona (I’ve already chosen a possible major and courses I’d love to take). I hope when reading my essay they’ll understand I just didn’t focus on the schools I really should have, and I’ve learned a lot more about myself. </p>

<p>Chesapeakedad, I’m not sure if I’d like to block program because I’m someone who has a wide variety of interests and I’m still in the process of narrowing down what I want to major in. I might take a class, hate it, drop out, and then be doing nothing for the rest of that block period (something that just happened to my best friend at CC). It’s on my list, though.</p>

<p>Internation95, it’s not me, it’s my parents. I just LOVE the Claremont schools. I’d go to any of them. I’m not too sure about Scripps since it’s all woman… I’m used to having a large group of guy friends as well as girl friends. I can’t imagine living in a dorm without guys! Is this a big problem at Scripps (lack of guy/gal friendships?) </p>

<p>I really love Pitzer and Pomona. I think I could get in to Pitzer (I was waitlisted, but never did an interview or anything to show I was actually interested), but my dad is convinced that I’m doing a huge disservice to myself if I chose to go there over USC due to name recognition. Telling him that the acceptance rate is actually lower than USC’s doesn’t help… They are the ones paying for my college so I can’t just run away.</p>

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<p>Pitzer’s admission rate is lower than USC (13% vs 18%)</p>

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<p>My daughter chose Pitzer over UC Berkeley and never regretted it. Her mother and I agreed with her decision.</p>

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<p>Also, our son chose Santa Clara (computer science and engineering) over USC and does not regret it. Again, we support his decision.</p>

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<p>on a similar boat… especially whole parents’ perception about brand name schools…</p>

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<p>Wow! My son, who is currently a freshman at USC, could have written your post almost word for word! He also went to a small private high school and misses the interaction with peers and teachers. He does not like the Greek system because he says the kids are not interested in academics and it can be very noninclusive for guys. He likes to have fun but doesn’t want to go overboard, and wants friends who can talk about something other than how wasted they got at the last party. He is applying to Pomoma, CMC, and Pitzer as a transfer as well. It is sad that there are not more options for New England style LACs in California. Maybe the two of you should meet! :slight_smile: He is also interested in science and economics.</p>

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<p>@Camelbackhill, I am also applying to transfer to Pomona from a large university also in the LA area (not USC :wink: ) as a science major. I also agree with you about how California should have more New England-style LACs, and I find it funny how the ones that California DOES have happen to be concentrated all within the same area, or in this case, consortium. But I wish your son all the best in his transfer prospects and hope he gets to where he wants/needs to be.</p>