Positive, encouraging atmosphere from fellow students and teachers.
Sunshine and flip-flops in an LA suburb with a small downtown.
Rigorous, fast-paced, thought-provoking education.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Visit. My decision was made for me on my visit, because of the impression the people made on me. More than any statistic or ranking, the people are what make the place. If you're looking for a school where the professors are all interested in the success of their students and the students are all looking to be the best they can and support their friends, you will find that atmosphere when you visit. If you can't afford it, apply to their MSAP (Minority Student Action Program) for a paid trip.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
As you'll find at any high-ranking school, the pre-med students are extremely absorbed in their academics and have time for little else. The rest of the student body, however, does commit a large amount of time to their academics outside of class, because the classes are difficult enough to merit that.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I've only experienced the freshman dorms so far, so I can't speak to what the other three years will be like, but the freshman dorms are reasonably nice. Some don't have air conditioning, which can be quite horrible in the first and last couple months. Blaisdell, where I lived, has smallish to cramped rooms for freshmen, but I've seen worse at other colleges, so I don't think it's anything to make a big decision on.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
As a vegan, my experience of the dining halls has been quite different from everyone else's. However, my non-vegan friends seem to have very good opinions of our dining halls, and the selection does look good.
However, if you are vegan or have other such limiting dietary restrictions (gluten-free, vegetarian), I would suggest that you get as small a meal plan as possible, or as I'm doing for next year, petition for no meal plan at all. The choices available are not healthy, varied, or available enough to sustain a reasonable diet, especially not given its price tag.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Most of the available activities are on-campus, there's not a whole lot to do in the Claremont Village. However, there is never any lack of things to do on campus, perhaps for that very reason. There are parties, dances, sporting events, and random get-togethers planned by clubs and groups of friends that can use school funding and school spaces. There's also the city of LA about 45 minutes away in low traffic. Freshmen aren't allowed to have cars (unless you have a permit), so most freshman get a Zipcar account to use the cars on campus or take public transportation... or just don't go to LA.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Worth every penny (except the meal plan, as a vegan). The educational environment is everything I wanted and expected it to be.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Sponsor Groups: freshmen are put into sponsor groups, called spogros, of 10-20 freshmen with 2-3 sophomore sponsors. Spogros live together with their sponsors in a hall of the freshman dorms.
Fountaining: there's a tradition of people being thrown into one of Pomona's many fountains on their birthday by their friends
Orientation Adventure: after move-in day, freshmen are sent on OA trips to wilderness locations where they can make their first friends and have their first college bonding experiences in the great outdoors.
Walker Beach: there's a large lawn on campus with a sandpit which is called the Walker Beach. Students often hang out there to sunbathe, play beach sports, do some homework under palm trees, or just relax and have a picnic.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who want a rigorous education surrounded by laid-back LA culture.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are many clubs and organizations that bring students together to appreciate different cultures, activities, sports, etc. I haven't yet been able to think of a club I wished existed that doesn't, and if I did, it would not be difficult to create one and receive funding from the school to support it.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There is no real Greek life on campus. There is strictly no Greek living, and there is only one real Greek club, which doesn't have much of a presence on campus. If you're looking for Greek life, definitely do not come here. However, there is still a large amount of social life on campus available to all, through organizations that regularly put on parties and dances open to the 5Cs or just Pomona.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
I feel very safe on campus, and have not yet found reason to complain of a lack of campus safety.
Positive, encouraging atmosphere from fellow students and teachers. Sunshine and flip-flops in an LA suburb with a small downtown. Rigorous, fast-paced, thought-provoking education.
Visit. My decision was made for me on my visit, because of the impression the people made on me. More than any statistic or ranking, the people are what make the place. If you're looking for a school where the professors are all interested in the success of their students and the students are all looking to be the best they can and support their friends, you will find that atmosphere when you visit. If you can't afford it, apply to their MSAP (Minority Student Action Program) for a paid trip.
As you'll find at any high-ranking school, the pre-med students are extremely absorbed in their academics and have time for little else. The rest of the student body, however, does commit a large amount of time to their academics outside of class, because the classes are difficult enough to merit that.
I've only experienced the freshman dorms so far, so I can't speak to what the other three years will be like, but the freshman dorms are reasonably nice. Some don't have air conditioning, which can be quite horrible in the first and last couple months. Blaisdell, where I lived, has smallish to cramped rooms for freshmen, but I've seen worse at other colleges, so I don't think it's anything to make a big decision on.
As a vegan, my experience of the dining halls has been quite different from everyone else's. However, my non-vegan friends seem to have very good opinions of our dining halls, and the selection does look good. However, if you are vegan or have other such limiting dietary restrictions (gluten-free, vegetarian), I would suggest that you get as small a meal plan as possible, or as I'm doing for next year, petition for no meal plan at all. The choices available are not healthy, varied, or available enough to sustain a reasonable diet, especially not given its price tag.
Most of the available activities are on-campus, there's not a whole lot to do in the Claremont Village. However, there is never any lack of things to do on campus, perhaps for that very reason. There are parties, dances, sporting events, and random get-togethers planned by clubs and groups of friends that can use school funding and school spaces. There's also the city of LA about 45 minutes away in low traffic. Freshmen aren't allowed to have cars (unless you have a permit), so most freshman get a Zipcar account to use the cars on campus or take public transportation... or just don't go to LA.
Worth every penny (except the meal plan, as a vegan). The educational environment is everything I wanted and expected it to be.
Sponsor Groups: freshmen are put into sponsor groups, called spogros, of 10-20 freshmen with 2-3 sophomore sponsors. Spogros live together with their sponsors in a hall of the freshman dorms. Fountaining: there's a tradition of people being thrown into one of Pomona's many fountains on their birthday by their friends Orientation Adventure: after move-in day, freshmen are sent on OA trips to wilderness locations where they can make their first friends and have their first college bonding experiences in the great outdoors. Walker Beach: there's a large lawn on campus with a sandpit which is called the Walker Beach. Students often hang out there to sunbathe, play beach sports, do some homework under palm trees, or just relax and have a picnic.
Students who want a rigorous education surrounded by laid-back LA culture.
There are many clubs and organizations that bring students together to appreciate different cultures, activities, sports, etc. I haven't yet been able to think of a club I wished existed that doesn't, and if I did, it would not be difficult to create one and receive funding from the school to support it.
There is no real Greek life on campus. There is strictly no Greek living, and there is only one real Greek club, which doesn't have much of a presence on campus. If you're looking for Greek life, definitely do not come here. However, there is still a large amount of social life on campus available to all, through organizations that regularly put on parties and dances open to the 5Cs or just Pomona.
I feel very safe on campus, and have not yet found reason to complain of a lack of campus safety.