Pomona Vs Claremont Mckenna

[Anonymous]

We’re completely stumped on where to go. DS is generally interested in computational majors or research (not cs but using coding to do things in the sciences/social sciences). We were very impressed by CMC’s integrated sciences and heard rave reviews from students unlike what’s been said on DCUM. We also were impressed by pomona’s math department and resources. Both seemed close knit communities, but CMC students discussed more academic fit while Pomona Students social fit. Any information from parents here?

[Anonymous]

I would pick Pomona over CMC every day. I prefer the student community (more collaborative, curious, intellectual) over CMC's relentless pre-professional vibe. Also Pomona has more name recognition and a larger, more diverse student body. There's more range and dimension at Pomona and they anchor the entire consortium. Yes, you can cross-register at the other Cs, but what college community does your DC want to reside in dorms with? they will be her roommates and floormates and first friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would pick Pomona over CMC every day. I prefer the student community (more collaborative, curious, intellectual) over CMC's relentless pre-professional vibe. Also Pomona has more name recognition and a larger, more diverse student body. There's more range and dimension at Pomona and they anchor the entire consortium. Yes, you can cross-register at the other Cs, but what college community does your DC want to reside in dorms with? they will be her roommates and floormates and first friends.

same

[Anonymous]

CMC if your kid wants a job. The kids are just connected to a lot more career resources and there’s more of them in the big clubs like Claremont Accelerator or the Quant fund.

[Anonymous]

Pomona has a better name brand for longer. CMC is less than a hundred years old and used to be pretty non-selective until recently. One of my friends basically tells people she went to Pomona because when she said Claremont McKenna she got quizzical looks so saying Pomona was easier and she felt it wasn't lying because she took several classes at Pomona and it has an adjacent campus.

[Anonymous]

go to Pomona. CMC still has a few faculty ties to alt-right MAGA group connected to project 2025 Trump.

some backstory was covered in 5C newspaper:

https://tsl.news/the-claremonster-under-the-bed-the-claremont-institute-the-conservative-think-tank-from-the-claremont-colleges-behind-the-trump-administration/

[Anonymous]

Claremont McKenna has a much better path forwards. Grads are making money in a diversity of fields. This year CMC had more Goldwater scholars than Pomona! Pomona is falling behind and it’s showing in the rankings.

[Anonymous]

Applied to CMC 30 years ago and slightly regretful turned it down for an Ivy. Which was fine and had a good time but periodically wonder what life would be like had I gone for the California sun.

CMC is the California version of W&L, which means polarizing to the people who confuse basket weaving and progressive politics with liberal arts. It does have a strong pre professional focus, which is awesome for the kids who want to go there. As for reputation versus Pomona, while latter is better known, so what? Go with fit. Neither school offers that much an advantage in reputation over the other to be meaningful. CMC does extremely well in corporate placement and professional schools. And people who claim it isn't diverse are stuck with a 1990 mentality, not today's world.

[Anonymous]

CMC has much better corporate prestige and alumni are leading in fin/bio tech and VC. Pomona is better if your kid is begging for a PhD.

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear good Integrated Science reviews. The faculty look particularly strong so no surprises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re completely stumped on where to go. DS is generally interested in computational majors or research (not cs but using coding to do things in the sciences/social sciences). We were very impressed by CMC’s integrated sciences and heard rave reviews from students unlike what’s been said on DCUM. We also were impressed by pomona’s math department and resources. Both seemed close knit communities, but CMC students discussed more academic fit while Pomona Students social fit. Any information from parents here?

Next door, turn right then left, you will find Harvey Mudd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re completely stumped on where to go. DS is generally interested in computational majors or research (not cs but using coding to do things in the sciences/social sciences). We were very impressed by CMC’s integrated sciences and heard rave reviews from students unlike what’s been said on DCUM. We also were impressed by pomona’s math department and resources. Both seemed close knit communities, but CMC students discussed more academic fit while Pomona Students social fit. Any information from parents here?

Next door, turn right then left, you will find Harvey Mudd.

Not interested in Mudd. Completely different ethos and vibe than both cmc and Pomona. He’d be very uninterested in completing core.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your kid would love CMC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pomona has a better name brand for longer. CMC is less than a hundred years old and used to be pretty non-selective until recently. One of my friends basically tells people she went to Pomona because when she said Claremont McKenna she got quizzical looks so saying Pomona was easier and she felt it wasn't lying because she took several classes at Pomona and it has an adjacent campus.

Any the nominations for Stupidest Comment on the Tread are. . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pomona has a better name brand for longer. CMC is less than a hundred years old and used to be pretty non-selective until recently. One of my friends basically tells people she went to Pomona because when she said Claremont McKenna she got quizzical looks so saying Pomona was easier and she felt it wasn't lying because she took several classes at Pomona and it has an adjacent campus.

Any the nominations for Stupidest Comment on the Tread are. . .

Nothing stupid about it. If anything they’re precisely correct.