what other schools are you all looking at? - Page 3

GroovyGeek · 12-07-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl

I did visit Pomona, right after I saw ucla, which blew me away (ucla's campus is pretty stellar). Since I didn't see the other colleges in the consortium, but just heard the tour guide say something like "they're mostly over there. it goes on for a while.", I assumed that combined they probably don't feel super small.

OMG, Pomona was the WORST campus visit for my D, and I must agree. The campus felt suffocating, and so did the atmosphere described by the tour guide. Apparently, quite a few of the profs refuse to accept assignments without the student sitting down to talk about ANYTHING with them first. Sure, personal attention is helpful, and this is the strength of any LAC, but just shoving it down somebody's throat like that sounded atrocious.

Then there was the tour guide.... Majored in bio "not because I liked it, but because I did OK in bio 101". Graduating in a few months, with no job plans and no offers... "I am not really sure what I want to do". OMG, didn't the admissions office screen her before assigning her to represent the school?

Earl · 12-07-2007, 01:28 AM

I liked the campus. The way Pomona was described to me, with lots of interaction with professors is actually really appealing. I haven't heard anything like that about assignments, but I'm sure the professors are all very reasonable. It's not for everyone and perhaps not for me either, but I would not mind eating dinner at half of my professors homes.

The major thing sounds like a joke. I waaay prefer schools and environments that are not career or vocation focused. I also have full confidence that a degree from Pomona is held in the highest regard by employers/grad schools.

cecils15 · 12-07-2007, 09:44 AM

i like columbia's core and i like that brown has no requirements. i don't know, i guess i am weird like that, but i don't think you have to like one over the other

Kristina · 12-07-2007, 09:53 AM

I'm the same way, cecils. My counselor didn't understand it.

mkt16a17 · 12-07-2007, 08:59 PM

no i'm the same. Because Columbia's core isn't 'ok two maths, one language, two lab sciences, one physical science, and gym,' it's classes designed especially for freshmen. They're interdisciplinary and about more than just making sure you know how to do different kind of things - they're about making sure you know how to think!
And as to why is cornell great, I'm a bit biased - I live in Ithaca. It doesn't have the best reputation of the ivys, but what people say is easiest to get into, hardest to stay in. Cornell works you hard but leaves you knowing a lot. Plus if you live in state you can get state tuition in some of the schools:-).

IlikeDice · 12-08-2007, 02:59 AM

It's a valid question.

School one: "Here are classes to help you think. We've picked them for you"

School two: "We know you're smart enough to pick the classes that make you a better learner. Here's a catalog"

Would you go into a book store and have the attendant force you to read books *he* thinks will make you a better learner?

It's pretty black/white to me, I still don't feel the question was adequately answered.

But if there's no reason and you're "just weird like that", I guess it can't be helped. Just kinda weird how there are 6 other Ivies that are much more similar to Brown than Columbia is. As it stands, those two are pretty much polar opposites academics wise (and isn't that all we care about?).

xojenn1189 · 12-08-2007, 02:47 PM

Maybe the people who also really like Columbia would pick the same kind of classes at Brown that would have been chosen for them at Columbia.

cecils15 · 12-08-2007, 03:37 PM

^^^^exactly. i can see why you wouldn't like the core if you don't want to take those classes, but i think they are all pretty interesting.

daveb · 12-08-2007, 04:30 PM

Keep in mind that the student body is vastly different between the two schools, and the learning environment itself is as black and white as it gets. Brown breathes cooperation, Columbia thrives off of competition.

cecils15 · 12-08-2007, 09:18 PM

^do you go to columbia?

daveb · 12-08-2007, 09:34 PM

No, but I have friends there.

You can tell from an overnight there... Even the tour guides will basically lay it down for you.

IlikeDice · 12-09-2007, 02:23 PM

doesn't it make sense that in a school where EVERYONE takes the same classes, there might be a little more competition?

just saying.

crzy2rite · 12-09-2007, 02:29 PM

^^ that is actually what I was thinking. Places like UChicago and Columbia are known for their intense core curriculums and subsequently, the intense competition b/t the students.

This whole college search is very personalized. If people know that they will do well in an environment such as Columbia, you go for schools with a core. For people who choose to live without such intense competition but want to get a quality liberal arts education, go for schools with little requirements. For people who can go either way, apply to a few in each category. There is a reason why there are so many colleges to choose from

whirlybird · 12-09-2007, 04:44 PM

I'm so glad that there are so many options. I'm applying to a whole range of schools (from little LACs to giant research universities) and I really like all the ones I'm applying to. I would not, however, ever apply to Columbia. The location kind of throws me off (I don't think I could handle New York City AND college) and it's so competitive. That totally bothers me. I can't stand people who live to beat other people.

xojenn1189 · 12-09-2007, 08:23 PM

yeah i don't want to go to college in NYC, but i def want to live there when i'm older... it would be really intense going to college there