Visit Report by rubybrett (Member since April 13 2008 with 15 posts) Visit Date - August 2008
Visit to Pomona College in August 2008 by rubybrett (Student, HS Class of 2009)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
Yes - The admissions officer was quite young, very nice, very relaxing. Interested in what I had to say. The interview went by very quickly. Information Session:
Yes - Very relaxed atmosphere. The speaker was enthusiastic yet genuine, especially when it came to discussing admissions (test scores DO count, etc.). Campus Tour:
Yes - Our guide was very candid about the pros & cons of Pomona: she loved the 5C but hated its location, loved this class but didn't like this one, etc. Made some oddly snide comments about other
Pomona College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Everyone in the admissions office was very helpful and super friendly!
Appearance of Campus: 3 - Good -
Depends on what appeals to you. A fan of desert plants, cacti, and artfully placed rocks? You'll love it here. Lots of sculptures and fountains, as well.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 3 - Good -
A lot of construction going on but I assume that's because it's early August.
Dormitories: 2 - Fair -
"Dorms are like palaces" according to the Princeton Review, so I guess I had high expectations. Definitely did not live up to it. As gritty as any other dorms I've seen.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Claremont is a retirement community, enough said.
Overall Campus Impression: 3 - Good -
I wish the builders were nicer but maybe I'm just used to the grandeur of the Ivies on the NE coast (not that I prefer them over Pomona, in the long run).
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 2 - Fair -
The Claremont village... eh. There's a Starbucks, Jamba Juice, about 5 nail salons, a record store, a thrift store, that's about all I saw. Right off campus though.
City/Town/Community: 2 - Fair -
Quiet. Suburban. Strip malls.
Campus Visit Notes for Pomona College:
Visit Description:
Make sure you take a look at the other schools, even if you're not interested in applying. Walking around the other 4 schools - even though I am not going to apply to either of them - showed me how much of an added bonus the consortium is. The Pitzer campus is gorgeous.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Take a stroll up to the Pitzer campus and have lunch at the Grove House! Delicious lunches, mostly created from ingredients grown in the organic garden they have in the back. Complimentary cookie.
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Everyone in the admissions office was very helpful and super friendly!
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Depends on what appeals to you. A fan of desert plants, cacti, and artfully placed rocks? You'll love it here. Lots of sculptures and fountains, as well.
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"Dorms are like palaces" according to the Princeton Review, so I guess I had high expectations. Definitely did not live up to it. As gritty as any other dorms I've seen.