Pomona College

Pomona College provides students with an unbeatable combination: "an academically rigorous education" in a "low-stress California atmosphere." Students note that the administration is "very good at responding to what students want" and highly "efficient in taking care of administrative tasks such as financial aid and registration." While Pomona is a relatively small school, it "offers the resources of a large university." As part of The Claremont Colleges, Pomona students can cross-register and attend events at the institutions that comprise the consortium, including Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Scripps, and Claremont-McKenna. The average class size at Pomona is only 15 students, and "all classes are taught by professors, not grad students or TAs." As one undergrad shares, "Today, I had a class with seven people in it, then lunch with a physics professor, and then a personal tutorial with a philosophy professor." Indeed, undergrads are able to forge close bonds with the faculty. It's extremely easy to "get to know professors outside the classroom, in any setting, from office hours to Thanksgiving dinner at their homes." Another student elaborates, "Between department barbecues, parties, and weekend retreats, by the time you're an upperclassman, you will know most of the professors in your major department quite well." This helps explain how over half of Pomona students end up conducting research with faculty. It also doesn't hurt that instructors "are, for the most part, fantastic-engaging, creative, and sharp." They're also "great discussion leaders and really motivate students to get involved in class."

Pomona undergrads seem to reflect Southern California's laid-back vibes. Students here are typically pretty casual, and most sport "flip-flops, polo, or tank tops and shorts" as their unofficial uniform. At first glance, many also give the appearance of a "liberal, uppermiddle-class, hipster athlete." But take a minute to look beneath that facade and you'll "meet the football player who got a perfect score on his SAT or the dreadlocked hippie who took multivariable calculus when he was 16." Additionally, undergrads appreciate the breadth of people they can meet. Students note that the college has a "decent level of diversity and a strong international community." This is certainly evident in their stats; the student body hails from all 50 states and several territories, as well as over 60* different countries. Further, more than half identify as a person of color, and over 18% are firstgeneration college students. It's fair to say that Pomona undergrads are "intelligent, engaging, and open individuals" who "excel in the classroom and usually have some sort of passion that they pursue outside of the classroom."

Life at Pomona is pretty grand. After all, there are "amazing academics, brilliant opportunities to get involved in, and enough sunshine to make anyone happy to be alive." Students certainly love to soak up SoCal's awesome weather; on nice days, you'll find most "everyone heads outside in shorts and T-shirts to do their class work." Beyond academics, students can participate in over 200 clubs and activities. These range from hosting a radio show to tending their own plot at the school's organic farm. Additionally, "many people are involved in intramural sports." Pomona also sponsors plenty of events. For example, students can hear live bands at Art After Hours, attend lectures on the sociology of monogamy, or take contra dancing lessons. On any given day, you might "see people setting up telescopes outside the dorms to get a glimpse of the stars...people practicing ukulele on our quad...[or] students filming a project in the dining halls." There's also plenty of opportunity to socialize with students enrolled in the other Claremont consortium schools, including at the "large 5C-sponsored parties." Pomona's location also allows for some great off-campus fun. Students love "hiking, skiing, and going to the beach yearround."