For Pomona, I had the opportunity to interview Class of 2023, Cade, who was so kind enough to provide some great responses to help you gain an insight into life at Pomona College! I highly recommend you check his amazing responses out! Thank you so much Cade!
How would you describe the weather at Pomona? Does it frequently snow? What would advise students to bring when coming to Pomona?
"The weather is absolutely amazing. It's sunny and clear skies pretty much every day. It's southern California so it never snows, of course. It does rain occasionally but everyone appreciates the change of weather. Bring lots of shorts, t-shirts, jeans, and a couple of light jackets."
What makes Pomona? So special to you? Was it your first choice and your dream school?
"For me, Pomona is so special and unique for a couple of reasons. First, the rigorous but collaborative work environment is fantastic. I found that some of the other schools I was considering felt very competitive and Pomona is the opposite of that. Everyone wants to help each other and students are genuinely curious about what they are studying. Also, the student body is incredibly diverse, which allows you to interact with people from so many different backgrounds and expands your perspective. Lastly, Pomona is a part of the Claremont Consortium, which includes four other colleges. You are able to eat at the other dining halls and take classes at the other colleges. For me, I love this unique system and it gives you access to so many different resources. Pomona was my first choice. I didn't really have a "dream school" per se, just several institutions that I really liked and Pomona was one of them."
Were you awarded financial aid? If yes, did it lift off some pressure?
"I did not qualify for financial aid myself but Pomona's financial aid packages are generally very good and the College works hard to meet demonstrated need."
What is most common majors at Pomona?
"By number, the most common majors are mathematics and economics, followed by the STEM majors. However, due to the fact that Pomona is a liberal arts college, your major does not define you and it's very easy (and encouraged) to take classes outside of your chosen field. "
What is one tip you would give to high school students, especially juniors who are currently searching for college to apply? Should they research how good the food is, the weather, or how prestigious the college is?
"The college process can be so stressful and I think it looks a little different for everyone. The biggest tip I would give to high school students is to look for colleges that you see yourself being successful at, academically and otherwise. Don't choose a school just for its prestigious name or ranking. At the end of the day, the thing that matters the most is how happy you are. I will also say that smaller things that you may not consider, like the food and weather, can have a big impact on your mental health so you should seriously evaluate those types of factors. "