Pomona College provides for an excellent education. Each semester there are hundreds of classes that are offered in pretty much every subject matter imaginable. The fact that Pomona is part of the five college Claremont Consortium only means that there are hundreds of more options available. You can take classes at any of the other colleges! The professors at Pomona are another huge reason why the education at Pomona is superb. All of the professors I have had have been eager to help, very approachable outside of class, extremely knowledgeable of the material, and make going to that early morning class quite enjoyable. There are also numerous learning opportunities outside of class as well. For instance, this past semester I got a job as a lab assistant, where I have been able to learn many new things in a more hands-on way. Countless other students are also doing research (which is very easy to get started in) or doing an internship in the area. Education is the fundamental reason why students go to college, and Pomona has definitely made that its priority.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
To be completely honest, I am in love with Pomona. Everything about Pomona is amazing—the people (my classmates, professors), taking classes that I want to take, the constantly sunny weather (it rains about 3 times a semester and the smog that everyone is concerned about really isn’t noticed), the huge dorm rooms (freshmen are put in either singles or pretty gigantic doubles), the food (it never gets boring with seven dining halls to choose from), and “working hard and playing hard too.” There are always things to do on the campus, whether it is a performance (band, orchestra, sketch comedy, acapella concerts), guest speakers, movies that are played for free, dance parties, and general hanging out. The number of options increases when you consider the Claremont Consortium, because most events and parties at the other colleges are open to all 5 C’s. It’s also convenient that LA is so close (just a train ride away), so when you need to get out of Claremont to see a concert in Hollywood, it is completely possible to do so. While Pomona students are viewed as very studious (because it’s true!), sagehens know how to have fun. A major reason why I am enjoying being at Pomona so much is because of all the fun I am having every single day! (From sitting out in the hallways late at night discussing the most random topics to playing glow-in-the-dark capture the flag on the quad) I love Pomona so much that it has truly become a second home to me.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Pomona College has been given the title of #1 Best Value liberal arts college for the past two years in a row. I can personally attest to this as A) the education here is top rate and B) both myself and most of the other students I have spoken to have been incredibly pleased (and surprised) by Pomona’s generous financial aid packages. Compared to many other colleges of similar caliber, Pomona offers incredible financial aid, allowing students, like me, to attend such a prestigious college.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
As cliché as it may sound, my best advice for prospective students is to be yourself on your application. Don’t try to make yourself sound like someone who would fit in at Pomona—the college will accept those who genuinely are a good fit for the school. The admissions officers want to make the best class possible, and they don’t do that by just looking at the numbers. While the grades and scores do matter, showing who you really are is just as important.
For those who have already been accepted, my advice is to come and visit the school. Get a feel for the students, the professors, and the overall atmosphere. I firmly believe that every college campus has its own culture that can make someone feel very happy and comfortable and others not that enthusiastic for the next four years. And ultimately, don’t let anyone or anything else influence your final decision.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Pomona College is the perfect home for the hardworking, intellectual, easy-going, yet able to have a lot of fun type of student. Pomona is made up of an incredibly diverse group of people. You’ll find yourself friends with non-stereotypically jocky athletes, hipsters, acapella singers, improv actors, mathematics and philosophy double majors, slam poets, musicians, activists, and people from all over the country and world. The students here are ambitious and driven, but are extremely cooperative and thus, have created a very supportive environment where students are able to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
Pomona College provides for an excellent education. Each semester there are hundreds of classes that are offered in pretty much every subject matter imaginable. The fact that Pomona is part of the five college Claremont Consortium only means that there are hundreds of more options available. You can take classes at any of the other colleges! The professors at Pomona are another huge reason why the education at Pomona is superb. All of the professors I have had have been eager to help, very approachable outside of class, extremely knowledgeable of the material, and make going to that early morning class quite enjoyable. There are also numerous learning opportunities outside of class as well. For instance, this past semester I got a job as a lab assistant, where I have been able to learn many new things in a more hands-on way. Countless other students are also doing research (which is very easy to get started in) or doing an internship in the area. Education is the fundamental reason why students go to college, and Pomona has definitely made that its priority.
To be completely honest, I am in love with Pomona. Everything about Pomona is amazing—the people (my classmates, professors), taking classes that I want to take, the constantly sunny weather (it rains about 3 times a semester and the smog that everyone is concerned about really isn’t noticed), the huge dorm rooms (freshmen are put in either singles or pretty gigantic doubles), the food (it never gets boring with seven dining halls to choose from), and “working hard and playing hard too.” There are always things to do on the campus, whether it is a performance (band, orchestra, sketch comedy, acapella concerts), guest speakers, movies that are played for free, dance parties, and general hanging out. The number of options increases when you consider the Claremont Consortium, because most events and parties at the other colleges are open to all 5 C’s. It’s also convenient that LA is so close (just a train ride away), so when you need to get out of Claremont to see a concert in Hollywood, it is completely possible to do so. While Pomona students are viewed as very studious (because it’s true!), sagehens know how to have fun. A major reason why I am enjoying being at Pomona so much is because of all the fun I am having every single day! (From sitting out in the hallways late at night discussing the most random topics to playing glow-in-the-dark capture the flag on the quad) I love Pomona so much that it has truly become a second home to me.
Pomona College has been given the title of #1 Best Value liberal arts college for the past two years in a row. I can personally attest to this as A) the education here is top rate and B) both myself and most of the other students I have spoken to have been incredibly pleased (and surprised) by Pomona’s generous financial aid packages. Compared to many other colleges of similar caliber, Pomona offers incredible financial aid, allowing students, like me, to attend such a prestigious college.
As cliché as it may sound, my best advice for prospective students is to be yourself on your application. Don’t try to make yourself sound like someone who would fit in at Pomona—the college will accept those who genuinely are a good fit for the school. The admissions officers want to make the best class possible, and they don’t do that by just looking at the numbers. While the grades and scores do matter, showing who you really are is just as important. For those who have already been accepted, my advice is to come and visit the school. Get a feel for the students, the professors, and the overall atmosphere. I firmly believe that every college campus has its own culture that can make someone feel very happy and comfortable and others not that enthusiastic for the next four years. And ultimately, don’t let anyone or anything else influence your final decision.
Pomona College is the perfect home for the hardworking, intellectual, easy-going, yet able to have a lot of fun type of student. Pomona is made up of an incredibly diverse group of people. You’ll find yourself friends with non-stereotypically jocky athletes, hipsters, acapella singers, improv actors, mathematics and philosophy double majors, slam poets, musicians, activists, and people from all over the country and world. The students here are ambitious and driven, but are extremely cooperative and thus, have created a very supportive environment where students are able to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially.