Pomona: The Big Picture
It's tough to pick one best thing at Pomona. The campus is beautiful and the atmosphere is great. I think the academic philosophy is one of the most beneficial or rewarding aspects of the college. I love being able to get an excellent science education and being able to explore other areas of study too. Pomona gives you a lot of freedom in your course selection. Even as a premed (whose schedules tend to be a bit restricting) I feel like I've been exposed to so many other ways of thinking. Also, the professors at Pomona are very committed not only to teaching you the material but to making you apply it to new situations. I think that is what makes Pomona an academically challenging school but I think that is the main reason that our graduates are so successful. Really, we'll probably hardly use most of what we learn in college, but problem solving, creative thinking, interpersonal skills, and applied learning are helpful in any situation.
But I might have to say the actual best thing about Pomona is the people. I think the college does a good job of bringing in really well-rounded students from different backgrounds. Of course everyone is really smart but they all have something else to bring to the table. Being exposed to such a variety of attributes and attitudes in people I think adds to the liberal arts experience.
Pomona Academic Life
I'm pretty sure every professor I've ever had has known my name. The class sizes are very small and the professors are open to discussion and to giving help outside of class. I think most professors here really love to teach and believe that the best way to do that is to connect with students as much as possible. I do spend some time with professors outside of class. Usually for advising meetings or department events but some also go to sports games and lunches.
In class participation is greatly encouraged, even in lecture classes. There are also many discussion based classes in which the students contribute as much if not more than the professors. I think Pomona students are apt to this kind of set up because it does seem like there is a fair amount of intellectual conversations outside of class. But I definitely wouldn't say people are serious all the time.
Pomona's Student Body
Most students are wear pretty informal, relaxed clothing to class. Some people choose to present themselves more formally but it's really up to you. I don't think students put too much thought into it.
Different types of students definitely interact. Of course it is natural for people to have a tendency to gravitate toward people like them, who they can relate to. But I think the intimacy in the classroom and the way the campus community is organized really encourages people to branch out and meet lots of people with different backgrounds. Most students live on campus for all four years; when you live in close proximity to people, eat in the same places, go to the same parties, and participate in the same class discussions, you're bound to meet a lot of different people.
Most Pomona students are from California but there is actually a lot of geographic diversity. I would bet that every year the school has someone from almost every state if not all and then there's also international students.
Most students are probably from middle to middle upperclass families. But there are definitely people from both extremes of the economic strata.
It seems like a lot of Pomona students are politically active and aware. I would say definitely more so than the average 18-22 year olds. Most people are pretty liberal but they also tend to be the most outspoken. It probably is more well balanced than it seems.
Pomona Student Activities + Social Life
There's a lot of participation in athletics here but sports games don't seem to central to social life. Football and men's basketball games get really crowded but most of the other sports don't draw too many spectators. One of the groups I'm involved with (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) is actually trying organize ways to get more focus on sports and more involvement from students.
There are only a few Greek organizations. The most popular is a frat that is made up of mostly football players and other athletes.
The On-the-Loose club is also pretty popular. They go on a variety of outdoor trips (camping, surfing, hiking, climbing etc). I like the snowboarding trips.
You can pretty much find people partying every night. The school has an alcohol fund that provides kegs for registered parties. Aside from random parties and get togethers, there's a regular party almost every night of the week. I think Sunday and Monday nights are the only nights without organized parties. My favorite week night party is "Pub" which is held by the frat I mentioned earlier every Wednesday.
I usually go to parties on the weekends which are pretty tied to alcohol. I've heard complaints from people who don't drink that the party culture at Pomona is too alcohol centered. I know they organize some substance free parties. I don't really agree with their ideas. On nights I don't drink, I still go to parties and have fun. I guess they feel uncomfortable being around it, but distancing themselves doesn't solve anything. And it's very unrealistic because in the real world, you can't shelter yourself from things like this. You can't ask for sub-free housing or sub-free parties after you graduate.
There's a lot to do off campus but I think people stay on campus most of the time because the alcohol is free, you don't have to go far or worry about getting DD's. In the immediate area, there's few bars and concert venues, and a lot of great dining places. And of course the clubs in LA aren't very far.
