Pomona College Top Questions

There are few people who maybe fit one of those labels, but there are many different kinds of people so I would not say that the stereotype describes most people.

This happens mostly because we have a general disdain for Claremont McKenna. They try so hard to be the more conservative, "leadership"-oriented Pomona. You'll find D-bags there like you'll never find at Pomona (but not all...). Everyone respects Harvey Mudd in the lovable-geek sort of way. Pitzer is generally well-liked in the lovable-hippie sort of way. No comment on Scripps.

Some of them, of course, are. Unlike some ivy league schools, getting into Pomona is not the only challenge--our courses are actually difficult (as they should be)! Our courses are certainly more rigorous than the classes at the other schools (and I've taken classes everywhere but Harvey Mudd so I know from experience). We are more diverse than most schools of our caliber and size. We're definitely more happy and laid back than students at other schools. The school does give a lot of support to students wanting to do their own research and gives out a lot of grants, etc, every year. Some of us are socially awkward, but what private college student isn't?!

In general, I do not think that stereotype is accurate. Some Pomona students have less interactions with the other 4 colleges in the area (probably due to the fact that we are the school with the largest student body and the most class offerings, so Pomona students do not need to get off campus like some of the other schools with smaller student bodies), which some people interpret as Pomona students thinking they are better than other people. I do not think that is the case though. In general, Pomona students are smart, but they don't take themselves too seriously and most do not think they are any better than others.

Pretty much so.

Almost everyone is a closet nerd about something. Ask a jock about his major, and you may learn more about protein chains than you ever wanted to know. But everyone is genuinely passionate about what they do, and the majority of the school is happy.

Not necessarily. The people that I have met over the year are generally nice and welcoming. But sometimes people get carried away about ranking classes, saying Pomona's are harder. I think that may depend more on what departments you are talking about. Pomona has stronger departments than others, just like other colleges' departments have their strengths.

There really is no typical Pomona student. In my experience I would consider the level of arrogance to be lower than that of an elite institution such as Pomona. So, no, it is not wholly accurate.

We aren't stuck up, but some could argue that we study too much.

although student take their work seriously, mostly everyone does things besides school whether it is a sport or going out on the weekends the workload is not intimidating as it seems and procrastination is a word familiar to all