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Brown vs Pomona Undergraduate Biology Major
NervousSeni0r
55 replies1 threads Junior Member
Hello!
I am currently a high school senior and I was accepted to my two top schools, Pomona college and Brown University, as a Biology major.
I am having a really hard time choosing one and it is giving me a lot of stress.
What I really want in a college is small class sizes, getting to know the professors personally, good food and dorms, and good student life outside of academics (I love shopping and exploring). I also really want to research as an undergraduate student.
I really love Pomona and it is my first choice since 9th grade. I love the open curriculum and laid back vibe. I also heard that they have good food and nice dorms. I met many students from Pomona and they were very friendly. I received aid but still have to pay around 2,000.
But, I am from California and Pomona is only an hour drive away from my house. I am afraid it will be too close. A another worry is the name value. I know it is not a really good reason to be afraid, but not many people know Pomona College and how amazing it is.
I loved that Brown is also open curriculum and laid back. I also love that it is in the city. I received a huge amount of aid from Brown and I have xtra money to spend on whatever I want.
But I have never visited the campus. I am not sure how good the dorms are or the food. I watched several videos on YouTube about Brown but I really want more honest opinions.
My goal is to go to Columbia, Yale, or Harvard as a graduate student and I am not sure if Pomona or Brown will have any difference in letting me achieve that goal.
Could any current students or alumni of Brown or Pomona tell me about their experience?
20 repliesI am currently a high school senior and I was accepted to my two top schools, Pomona college and Brown University, as a Biology major.
I am having a really hard time choosing one and it is giving me a lot of stress.
What I really want in a college is small class sizes, getting to know the professors personally, good food and dorms, and good student life outside of academics (I love shopping and exploring). I also really want to research as an undergraduate student.
I really love Pomona and it is my first choice since 9th grade. I love the open curriculum and laid back vibe. I also heard that they have good food and nice dorms. I met many students from Pomona and they were very friendly. I received aid but still have to pay around 2,000.
But, I am from California and Pomona is only an hour drive away from my house. I am afraid it will be too close. A another worry is the name value. I know it is not a really good reason to be afraid, but not many people know Pomona College and how amazing it is.
I loved that Brown is also open curriculum and laid back. I also love that it is in the city. I received a huge amount of aid from Brown and I have xtra money to spend on whatever I want.
But I have never visited the campus. I am not sure how good the dorms are or the food. I watched several videos on YouTube about Brown but I really want more honest opinions.
My goal is to go to Columbia, Yale, or Harvard as a graduate student and I am not sure if Pomona or Brown will have any difference in letting me achieve that goal.
Could any current students or alumni of Brown or Pomona tell me about their experience?
Post edited by CCEdit_Suraj at
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Replies to: Brown vs Pomona Undergraduate Biology Major
http://catalog.pomona.edu/content.php?catoid=33&navoid=6638#General_Education_Requirements
Although Brown is an excellent school, I think that, if you are looking to go to non-professional grad school, Pomona is the better choice.
Thank you for your very detailed response! I am waiting on the approval from my parent, but I have chosen Pomona now!
Thank you for correcting me. It seems I was a little confused.
Brown's lack of general education requirements (other than writing) can allow GPA-focused students to avoid taking courses in areas that they may have difficulty earning A grade in.
Could you explain to me a little more why Brown may be a better choice if I want to go to an Ivy for grad school?
So far I want to do research on diseases, but that may change as I learn more about Biology.
I am not interested in becoming a doctor.
Hello!
I know only a couple of days has passed since the last comment, but was your son able to decide on which he wanted to attend?
Well, I was leaning more towards Pomona.
I am in both the Pomona and Brown admitted students group chat on WhatsApp and GroupMe. I felt a stronger connection with the people from Pomona.
I have also attended few of the webinars that Pomona offered and really loved it.
The location of Pomona is perfect to me. DTLA is also not too far and there is easy access to both the mountains and beaches.
I also like the idea that I could take classes at the 4 other colleges. Pomona is a small school but it would never feel isolated.
I understand that Pomona is not known as much as Brown, but I am starting to accept that. I want to choose what is best for me, not for others.
I also love Brown, but I have never been to the campus so I am not sure about it. I am really sad that I am not able to visit Brown because of the pandemic.
Both are great schools with strong reputations in academic circles.
There is no wrong choice here
Yep, you can't go wrong either way, but my smarter-than-me sister (who chose a small college over Ivies for her BA, then got her MA at an Ivy) might also add that you can always go to an Ivy for grad school, but you have to be an undergrad to experience a LAC.
I committed to Pomona yesterday! I am very excited!