Hey, guys! I am thinking about Pomona for college and wanted a heads-up. Do any Pomona students or alum out there want to share their hardest course experiences?
Hi, and congrats on considering Pomona College! While the difficulty of a course can vary based on individual study habits, majors, and personal interests, a few classes at Pomona are commonly cited as challenging.
Many students mention Introduction to Molecular Cellular Biology as a particularly tough course. The class covers a lot of material, resulting in substantial reading and lab assignments. The exams are also known to be demanding, often requiring in-depth explanations rather than basic recall.
Organic Chemistry, another common course in Pre-med tracks, is also noted for its difficulty. It's a two-semester sequence designed to intensely teach the fundamental principles of organic chemistry. The content is quite complex and dense but provides a thorough understanding of the topic.
In the mathematics department, Real Analysis is often cited as challenging. This course, a rigorous introduction to analysis in Euclidean space, is very theorem-proof based, which can be quite challenging if you haven't had exposure to proofs before.
Economics Theory courses, both Microeconomic Theory and Macroeconomic Theory, are also considered quite rigorous. These courses can be mathematically intensive and are key to the Economics major, so students tend to take them quite seriously.
Last, but certainly not least, Thesis research classes can be demanding, particularly because they incorporate independent research, presentation, and writing a substantial paper.
That being said, remember that Pomona also has excellent resources for academic support. From writing centers to professors' office hours, there are numerous places to seek help, and I encourage you to take advantage of them! Challenging classes should not deter you from your academic interests; they're often the ones where you learn the most.
Good luck with your college decision process!
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