<p>Which one is stronger in sciences? Which one is better for premed?</p>
<p>lada: They are both excellent schools. Williams has a particular eminence in science, but that said, I am sure they both offer excellent preparation for pre-med. However, the environments are very different, and this difference is more significant than the very similar bio and pre-med offerings. </p>
<p>My son looked at many LAC's and fell in love with Williams which he will be attending. Other kids feel differently.</p>
<p>Things he liked: Emphasis on arts
Beautiful new Theatre/Arts building
Warmth of administration and student body
Inspiring mountain scenery
Opportunity for hiking, canoeing, skiing, etc.
Freshman entry system
4-1-4 calender
Excellent academics (wants premed too)
Extracurricular opportunities</p>
<p>What most people don't like is its rural, isolated location. We're near NYC, but the lack of light pollution is one of Williams' most attractive qualities for my son.</p>
<p>Others could offer you a similar list for Pomona.</p>
<p>"the lack of light pollution"
What does this mean?</p>
<p>Light pollution = lots of light (streetlights, big population, cars, businesses that keep lights on, car dealerships...) so that it doesn't get totally dark. Light pollution obscures the stars. There's a very big difference between looking at the night sky from NYC and looking at the night sky from the middle of the rural midwest...</p>
<p>Example...my dad gets mad because all the recent development in our region has added to the light pollution, so we can no longer clearly make out the Milky Way.</p>
<p>There could be other connotations, but that's the only way I've ever used or understood the term. Totally different concept than air pollution or smog. Harmless, if you're not an astronomy student ;)</p>
<p>Student615: Yup, that's what I meant. No, he's not an astronomy student, just someone who wants to spend four years in nature.</p>
<p>Light pollution (or lack thereof) was actually a big factor in my choosing to attend Middlebury... many excellent memories of observing the Milky Way just outside of the White River Junction, though it's no Wyoming.</p>
<p>You'd be splitting hairs to say one is better than the other for science or premed, or for that matter, in any academic category. The choice has to be made on fit, and although there are many cross applicants, the schools are very different.</p>
<p>I'm sort of deciding between these two schools now, and am thinking of being premed. I was under the assumption that Pomona and Williams were equal academically (at least in the sciences). However, a professor at Pomona made an interesting comment that Williams would be better for premed because the students were more focused, and at Pomona they were too laid back. Also he said Williams was a feeder school for top med schools like Harvard. Does anyone have any ideas about this?</p>
<p>So I accepted admission to Pomona, but am remaining on the waitlist at Williams. Unfortunately, I doubt I will be able to visit soon. Can anyone give me reasons why I should give up my deposit at Pomona and go to Williams should I get off the waitlist?</p>
<p>If you're happy with Pomona, you probably shouldn't! Really, the schools are so similar that unless you have a burning desire to attend Williams, now is a good time to put all that away and be happy that you're going to be attending POMONA! </p>
<p>And your name sounds like a Pomona student to me.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Pomona is a wonderful school that is academically on a par with Williams. I think it would be irresponsible and even mean for any of us Williams fans to try to convince you that Williams is better than Pomona at this point. If you get into Williams, we'd be glad to give you some opinions to help you sort out your choices, but unless or until then, you should be thrilled to be heading to Pomona.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your Pomona acceptance. I know several students there and they have been really happy with their experiences.</p>
<p>So you guys don't think that Williams is more prestigious/ better known than Pomona? For some reason I feel like Williams is considered a better school. Maybe thats because I'm on the east coast. I want to go to a top med or grad school after college. Would Williams be better able to get me in to those places (ie feeder school)? </p>
<p>Sorry if this sounds shallow. I really loved both places, and am pretty sure I would enjoy my experience at both. I just want to make sure I'm not giving something up by not going to Williams.</p>
<p>I don't think so. I think anyone who knows about colleges knows that Pomona is Williams' equal. Congratulations!!!!!!</p>
<p>If you get off the wait list we can talk again.</p>