Where all the life goes on? :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
21

<p>Though each of the campuses has its own political atmosphere, the entire consortium leans to the left. And it's worth noting that that's "California college student left," which is probably a little bit left of "normal left." That said, all beliefs are represented.</p>

<p>Middle of nowhere? I wish that there had been a little more "middle of nowhere" about Claremont! Welcome to SoCal Sprawl. I've read other posts that say Claremont feels suburban if you're used to cities, but urban if you're used to suburbs. That's probably a fair characterization. There's more to do in Claremont than in your 'average' suburbia, with the added benefits of (1) current Village (downtown area) expansion and (2) close proximity to LA, San Diego, Santa Monica, Palm Springs, Disneyland (season passes are not uncommon), Pasadena, mountains, etc.</p>

<p>Many students take off-campus trips (for example, to places like those listed above) for October Break, Spring Break, and occasional weekends, but for the most part, people stick around campus, and not for lack of alternatives, but b/c there really is so much going on (plus, most students have busy schedules). As for what there is to do around the campuses, it depends on what you're looking for and on how you define "around." If you're limited to walking distance, then you basically have the Village (shops, restaurants, 1-2 bars, soon to have a movie theatre). If you have a car and can easily head 15min in any direction, then you also have other movie theatres, multiple malls, bowling alleys, two ice rinks, mini golf, tons of restaurants (many chains)...typical fair. So if you're looking for stereotypical LA nightlife, no, you really won't find it in Claremont. But to say that there isn't much to do locally is a bit unfair, in my opinion. I rarely went farther than walking distance from campus (maybe once a month as a freshman, up to once a week as a senior, and I'm not only talking about big trips), but never felt trapped or bored, and I didn't have a car. As Irene said, it just depends what you're looking for.</p>

<p>One word: visit. Some students love the quaintness of Claremont and never find themselves short on options. Others are bored by it and wish they were nearer the city. To each his own.</p>

22

<p>How about gays and lesbians? Is there tolerance and acceptance or not?</p>

23

<p>In general, there's a great deal of tolerance and acceptance, as well as a very active Queer Resource Center (known for hosting some well-loved and well-attended 5C parties), Gay Straight Alliance, and other related groups. There were a very small number of homophobic incidences while I was at the schools, few of which occurred on Pomona and all of which were dealt with effectively and immediately. Overall, yes...Pomona specifically and Claremont in general provide a supportive (and well-integrated) queer community.</p>

24

<p>My S is a senior at Pomona and has never found himself lacking for something to do. By way of example, his first two years he was on the baseball team and found himself missing out on so many other activites and opportunities throughout the Claremont schools that he left baseball behind.</p>

<p>An excellent point was made above that UC campuses and USC for another example have a HUGE commuter component to their student populations and so during the week there appears to be a mass of humanity which is just peoople hanging around waiting for their next class. Try the USC campus on a non-football weekend (and there is only about 5-6 games a year) and you will find next to no one. Not much different at ucla.</p>

<p>At the Claremont schools, most every student lives on campus and between the 5 schools there is always something going on.</p>

<p>You would need to make the effort to not be involved at one of the Claremont schools. I think it is quite the opposite at the UCs/USC where it is very easy to get lost in the sea of humanity.</p>

<p>BTW, I went to USC and if I had it to do over, I'd be at pomona (presuming they'd have me).</p>

25

<p>My daughter had to choose between a couple of UCs and one of the Claremont colleges. She chose Claremont, and her friends chose UCs. She has a more active social life than her friends at UCs because the smaller clasess etc mean that you actually meet the same people more than once, making it easier to make connections,and there are a huge number of social events and clubs sponsored by each of the 5 colleges. A lot of her social life does take place in the palatial dorms, but you should know that they are pretty nocturnal - and the class schedule largely allows for that. She only has class before noon once a week.
Several of her quieter friends have reported difficulty making friends at larger UCs. I think spending the night will really help your daughter decide whether a college is right for her.</p>