<p>I just came back from a visit at Pomona, and it completely changed my mind about the school. The social life at this school (and ALL the other Claremonts) seems to be nonexistent. Eeither everything revolved around alcohol or drugs, or there was nothing else to do... My friend goes to Pitzer so I got a personalized tour of pretty much every school. The school really depresses me now, and I will definitely choose UCLA over Pomona. Does anyone with more experience have any arguments to contradict what I just said?</p>
<p>The only thing that surprised me was how nerdy the kids at Pomona are, haha. They seem sooo nerdy… but I’m a nerd too, so it’s all good!</p>
<p>Well I met the guys on the tennis team and they were all really normal.</p>
<p>I’ve visited the Claremonts three times. My brother is currently attending Pomona.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard and seen, the social life at Pomona is vibrant. My brother has so many stories to tell, that do not involve alcohol and drugs (Pitzer, and Harvey Mudd, to an extent, has a reputation to be very substance-oriented). Pomona is an extremely socially-oriented college, and Pomona chooses their applicants based on how well they will fit in to the culture.</p>
<p>Perhaps you visited at a bad time, but Pomona’s social life is very lively (it’s one of the school’s selling points, in my opinion), and I would definitely give it another chance.</p>
<p>If the main focus of your visit was the social scene, I doubt Pomona is a good fit. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t describe it as ‘vibrant’ when compared to UCLA, but it certainly isn’t depressing. Pomona is a much better school than UCLA, though. But to each his own.</p>
<p>^Santeria</p>
<p>What else do you look for during a college visit except for extracurricular quality, surroundings, and social life? I already know Pomona has top-notch academics, that’s not what I wanted proof of…</p>
<p>Whether Pomona is a better school than UCLA, overall, is a matter of taste. The neuroscience program at UCLA (which I am interested in) is definitely stronger than Pomona neuroscience, the athletics at UCLA are MUCH stronger than at Pomona, UCLA’s social life is MUCH more vibrant than at Pomona (as you said yourself), and UCLA offers an equally generous financial aid program which covers my entire tuition including housing. The only difference is that Pomona is private and UCLA is public. I would much rather work a little harder at a public school than live in a ghost town for 4 years. It was 11PM on a friday night, the rain had stopped, and it was like the entire school had died. There wasn’t even the slightest sound of music in the dorm rooms. This description applies to all the Claremont schools. It really is a shame though because I really loved the beauty of the school.</p>
<p>That wasn’t representative of any of the claremont schools. Pomona, Pitzer, Harvey Mudd, and CMC are all lively. In no way would I describe it as a ghost town.</p>
<p>^ I agree with what you said earlier. I probably visited at a bad time, but as of right now, this is how I feel about the Claremont schools.</p>
<p>Sounds like you’re a UCLA-kinda person.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for Div I athletics to attend, frat parties, Westwood-type LA street action and non-stop thrills, Pomona is clearly not the place for you.</p>
<p>If, however, you’re looking for top-notch academics with small classes, excellent facilities and daily close contact with professors at the top of their game, then you simply cannot beat Pomona.</p>
<p>As far as the social scene at the 5Cs goes, as Santeria says – it’s what you make it. There are plenty of fun loving, active and interesting people here, and always something to do.</p>
<p>Everybody picks the place that’s best for them. Pomona just may not be right fit for you.</p>
<p>This is why it is so important to visit a school before you attend (and to save time and money, try and do it before you apply) </p>
<p>Some people are going to like big schools, some will prefer smaller intimate schools. I am not sure why you would even imagine that Pomona would have anywhere near the action that UCLA has.</p>
<p>Exactly. It’s not a state school. There are plenty of parties, but not on UCLA’s level. I promise that Claremont is not a ghost town, though. I don’t know what you saw, but there are always things to do. </p>
<p>And when I say Pomona is better, I was referring to academics. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that a student will get a much, much better education at Pomona than UCLA. At UCLA, you won’t get into the classes you want. The school will be plagued by budget cuts. Your professor will be focused on research, not know your name, and not particularly care about your progress. You will be taught by TA’s. You will not participate. The students around you will slack off and still get by, and you probably will, too. There is comparatively little intellectualism. The student body at Pomona is brighter, more interesting, and better to be around. UCLA is excellent for a state school, but it’s hard to say it is comparable to Pomona. But yes, Pomona is private, and for most people it is more expensive. If cost isn’t an issue, though, I think it would be silly to choose UCLA over Pomona if education is a priority.</p>
<p>Also, if you visited this past Friday, it was parent’s weekend. So most kids were either with their parents or hanging out inside the dorms so as not to embarrass themselves in front of other parents…plus the rain made finding motivation to go out more difficult. </p>
<p>This weekend wasn’t really a good to see the vibrant social life of Claremont…</p>
<p>And I agree with enkephalon - the small classes are definitely worth it. At UCLA you’ll be among 700 students in a class where the professor has no idea who you are, while at Pomona you’ll be in a class of 20 students where the professor is genuinely concerned when he/she doesn’t see you in class that day. </p>
<p>But it all depends on what you like! Good luck OP.</p>
<p>Still, you can get a very good education at UCLA, but it will require more work on your own part.</p>
<p>If you are a viable candidate at Pomona, then there is a good chance you got asked to apply for regents at UCLA? Getting regents will help overcoming the issues at the UCs. </p>
<p>I disagree with all the people who are trying to convince you to choose Pomona over UCLA. You should still check it out a bit more, but if you are the type of person who wants the big school environment, then you should go for it. No apologies (or using language that somehow implies that the school you do not like is lacking…)</p>
<p>Oh, and I’m not trying to convince you to go to Pomona or sway you away from UCLA. I agree that it’s not a good fit if you were turned off by the visit.</p>
<p>I recommend you go to *****.com and read the student reviews for both schools. Sit in on some classes and activities at both schools. Where do you feel the most comfortable and stimulated?</p>
<p>When I visited in November, I also noticed that there wasn’t a huge social scene. People mostly tended to stay in smaller groups, often inside. There was also a fair amount of weed and alcohol, although it didn’t seem like that was the main focus. Most kids were just sipping beer. But it’s those qualities that made me like it so much. I’m not a big party kind of person, so the UCLA social scene is unappealing. Like most of the people who have responded, it seems like Pomona isn’t your place if you don’t like small, more private gatherings of people.</p>
<p>Visited w my D last fall, I also noticed how quiet it was and was surprised by the fact that there was not even a student union. (The tour guide said kids use the dorm’s student lounges “big time.”) Tho I wondered if it was too quiet, my D loved it. It suited her personality - as a swimmer, she hangs with a low-key group. It seems so close to the mountains, I wonder if kids get out to hike or to the LA beaches (other than Ski & Sun Day.) Can’t remember if they rent zip cars there.</p>
<p>As a parent of a CMC student, I can say that Overachiever’s description of Pomona does not apply to CMC. I don’t know Pomona all that well, but CMC is not even close to the vibe he got from his visit. I hope he enjoys UCLA.</p>
<p>swimom- Pomona does have as student union, or student center. It’s Smith Campus Center, and it’s gorgeous and very well utilized. Students also spend a lot of time in the dining halls- at least mine did.
A rainy parent weekend isn’t the best time to visit a campus.
But that doesn’t negate the point that someone who finds UCLA’s size a positive thing might find Pomona/ Claremont too small- 5000 students vs 30,000 is a different feel, for sure.
That’s why visiting is so important. (And one reason Pomona admissions values student visits so highly. They want to know that the kid has been to the school and feels it’s right for them.)</p>
<p>Will you be partying every night while in college? 5C’s party from Wed.-Sun. if that’s what you’re looking for. There’s a Martha Graham performance on March 1st =D. If you’d like to visit on this day instead and stay for the performance.</p>