<p>UCBChemEGrad:</p>
<p>I’m not sure what your point is with respect to the comparative number of undergrads. I quoted hard and fast academic statistics because that is a valid indication not only of the uniformly high calibre of applicants to Pomona, but also the fact that Pomona students graduate after 4 years with a great deal of national and international success even when compared head to head with larger and better known universities.</p>
<p>As IBclass06 says: “ since when does name recognition equal prestige?”</p>
<p>As for your comments about sheer number of PhDs awarded, I’m well aware that 4 yr. liberal arts colleges don’t graduate PhDs as do larger research universities. Nor are they meant to. Therefore one can only compare their respective undergraduate educations and the 4 year results per capita. In that kind of head to head comparison, it is clear which school shows statistically superior results and a higher percentage of successful graduates. </p>
<p>Again, these results cannot be applied without due consideration of my earlier caveats re: fit and attitude, and I agree that, if the available program options suited their needs, Berkeley would be an excellent choice for someone hoping to go on to grad school.</p>