By Aaron Rogers
Girl In Red fell in love in October; I fell in love with Pomona during the month of April, and now I wear blue (and white).
Our story begins one fateful February night when I first wrote to her. My Pomona (the goddess of fruit) drew me in with her offerings (small class size and liberal arts education). While she played hard to get, I knew she was the one for me. Many maidens (colleges) had this quality, but with her, it was different. She moved with such elegance and grace (accessible faculty, research opportunities, and generous aid). I continued my correspondence, love still unrequited, in hopes she would favor me over her other suitors. Long awaiting a response, I spent many a nights fretting over if my letters were favorably received; I was, after all, late to her courtship (applying as a transfer student). Nevertheless, on April 5th she sent me a courier (email) declaring that “an important update regarding your Pomona College application has been posted online”.
Romantics aside, I owe my commitment to Pomona to a pivotal experience in April. About 2 weeks after my acceptance, I attended “Explore Pomona” an event hosted on campus to give admitted students a taste of what life at Pomona is like. My most important consideration was how Pomona would help me navigate my transition to a 4 year college. Receiving this invitation was my first transfer specific green flag–I was concerned that my transfer status may automatically exclude me from general admitted student events. But I shouldn’t have worried, just like the students that it admits, Pomona needs to be the best at everything, including transfer hospitality.
The next gold star Pomona earned in my book came when I discovered Smiley Hall, a building that stood out to me for more than just the lack of AC. Smiley Hall houses three stories of students, and each year the third floor is reserved for the newest batch of transfer students. Having a pre-assigned dorm was only sweetened by the guaranteed absence of a roomate. Smiley offered me the opportunity to still have the “typical” college experience I was worried I had missed out on as a transfer student: living on campus.
My introduction to Frank and Frary came next–and no, these are not people, but two dining halls on Pomona’s campus (however I forgive you if you were initially inclined to respond “who?”). “So you mean I don’t have to cook or spend money on food?” is a phrase I could be quoted on far too often, hoping my ears had not deceived me when I learned that my tuition cost included unlimited access to food (for every meal!). While a part of me wishes the food wasn’t good, as I have now learned that the freshman 15 is not exclusive to freshman, I have to tip my hat to the dining staff, who defy the stereotype of college “struggle meals”.
If my unsponsored sales pitch for the benefits Pomona college provides to transfers has been ineffective, I encourage you to explore Pomona as an option nevertheless. At the very least, this will allow you to voice your opinion on an age-old debate: I’m not talking about team Edward or team Jacob, but instead, team Frary or team Frank (both Robert Pattinson and Frary will always have my heart).