<p>First let me say that I think that CC benefits from having such thoughtful and informed commentators as HC Alum on Haverford and Interesteddad on Swarthmore. I’m not sure where ID has the time to have posted 4900 times on CC, but I have found most of his posts interesting and often informative. As someone who has more knowledge than most about Swarthmore (I’m both an alum and a parent) I have usually found ID’s posts on Swarthmore to be a useful perspective to consider, though I don’t agree with all of them.</p>
<p>I have also found HC Alum’s posts on Haverford to be very interesting and insightful. It is clear that HC Alum feels that he got a great education at Haverford, and I have always felt that Haverford and Swarthmore have many more similarities than they do differences. Haverford today has the enrollment that Swarthmore did back in my day. If Haverford had been co-ed when I applied, I might have chosen to go there instead.</p>
<p>Back to the OP’s original question, which was about the similarities and differences between Swarthmore, Pomona and CMC: While there has been a lot of back and forth on the subject, with many diversions and excursions, I think by reading the entire discussion the OP (if he or she is still interested and reading this stuff) would come to the appropriate conclusion, which in my mind is:</p>
<p>1) Swarthmore and Pomona are quite similar as broad Liberal Arts Colleges, differing primarily in obvious things like geography, climate and the Claremont consortium.
2) CMC is a great Liberal Arts College with a somewhat different emphasis, concentrating on government, politics, business and international relations.</p>
<p>At this level of quality and selectivity I think the choice between colleges should be much more on fit and compatibility. I’m sure the personality of each of these colleges is somewhat different, and would recommend a prospective student visit each if that is possible.</p>