#Pomona vs Korea University

79 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

worn lava
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I am currently committed to Pomona College. Korean university decisions come out on June and I got into KU. Should I stick with Pomona or go to KU instead?

Schools: Pomona College, Korea University (KU)
Intended major: Pomona- International Relations and Public Policy Analysis KU- International Relations and Political Science
Similarities: Good schools, great locations, great professors and programs, beautiful campus

Pomona College (Price: $19k per year; includes tuition, dorm, and other fees maybe a few thousand dollars more for personal use and flights to Guatemala or Korea)
School 1 Pros:
Liberal Arts Education, California, lots of opportunities for undergrads (internships, research, etc), 5Cs consortium, met awesome people, concerts especially Latin artists.

School 1 Cons:
More expensive than KU but family can afford it, access to Korean food (like I need to drive at least 20 minutes to get Korean food), no family support (I'll be living alone and I don't have someone to rely on).

Korea University, KU (Price: Tuition is $3k per year, no dorm fee bc parents are going to buy an apartment for me if I commit there, maybe a few thousand dollars more for personal use and flights back to Guatemala)
School 2 Pros:
Cheap, Seoul, have extended family for financial support if needed, can visit grandparents often (4 hour drive from Seoul), Korean food and music festivals.

School 2 Cons:
Possible culture shock because I haven't been to Korea for a long time, toxic/competitive studying environment, the whole upperclassmen/lowerclassmen relationship thing.

Tiebreaking considerations:
I really want to go to a university that I will enjoy my university experience and prepare me well for my future. I plan to go to graduate school so I really want the school to guide me by providing lots of mentorship and resources. Or possibly, get a job in the government or an international organization like the UN after graduating from university.

digital saffron
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I recommend Pomona

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if you are going to work in consulting the name would get your farther for Pomona

quaint dune
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You seem to vibe with Pomona as well

proper igloo
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If you plan to go the government route, I’d recommend Pomona. Honestly, for your goals, it makes more sense to stay stateside as graduate admissions for internationals are quite challenging and the US government typically prefers and recruits domestic students. Being an international student actually may disqualify you from certain positions.

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If you have any questions about government work feel free to DM! Having been on the job market in gov sectors and currently as a contractor for a gov org, I’m happy to help.

split plank
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If it were SNU, I'd choose SNU over Pomona any day

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Idk much about Korea University, but if it's nearly as reputed as SNU, then it may be worth a thought..

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But from what you've said i think Pomona might be better for you

digital warren
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Pomona. It will allow you to have more opportunities after graduation. Even though Pomona is not a household name in Korea you will still better positioned. You could do a IR masters at Yonsei, KU, or SNU later, though even for IR, I recommend an american university

worn lava
worn lava
digital warren
worn lava
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I would prefer to start a career in the UN or as a diplomat

quaint dune
worn lava
digital warren
proper igloo
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To me it just seems like you need to stay stateside. I’d second Georgetown ^ great program in a city with lots of connections.

worn lava
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Yeah I actually applied to georgetown but got rejected bc my high school is on their blacklist but i plan to re apply for grad school

worn lava
digital warren
worn lava
digital warren
# worn lava I'm a dual citizen for Korea and Guatemala

I ignore the process to become a diplomat in Korea or Guatemala. My guess is, however, that you'll probably need to get some training in Korea or Guatemala as well to be competitive for their tests or whatever the process may be.

proper igloo
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I’d definitely spend some time in the US if you want a US job post-grad, especially in the gov sectors.

digital warren
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If she wants to be a diplomat though, she has to be a US Citizen. So she is probably looking to be a diplomat for Korea or Guatemala

proper igloo
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Ah, I see, didn’t catch that!

worn lava
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But I can stay in the US a d work in the UN or the World Bank or something

worn lava
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I just searched and Korea does require me to take a series of exams, then receive a course, and take another exam

digital warren
# worn lava I just searched and Korea does require me to take a series of exams, then receiv...

Right. Those government exams are tough and people go to hagwons for months to study for them. So you'll probably need more than a great US education to get that. If you consider working for the UN or any organization of that kind, then a masters from a top IR program in the US will likely help you get that option while you decide whether you want to try to become a diplomat in Korea or Guatemala. I know that diplomats in Korea generally start younger than those in the US, so I am guessing it is really mostly about doing well in those exams. I mean, with your very internationalist background, you should be in a good position

worn lava
digital warren
worn lava
slim sluice
compact dew
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This is such a tough choice
Pomona I feel would definitely be a more fun experience but Korea University might be better to become a diplomat in Korea (dunno where you planning)

Im also Korean (US born tho), but I know a lot of Koreans tend to look down on small schools. I personally chose a LAC over a bigger name and a lot of Korean people have questioned me over it lol.

But Pomona is definitely well accepted in the majority of the US, and I think getting jobs wont be an issue there

worn lava
compact dew
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Congrats on making a decision! Pomona is really awesome, was one of my top choices when i applied. I didnt want to push in a certain direction, but I think I would have also chosen Pomona in this sort of situation loll

rugged temple
worn lava
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Thanks everyone!

buoyant axle
worn lava
buoyant axle
worn lava
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you're stuck with me for the next 4 years boi

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lmao

worn lava
buoyant axle
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kekakekskdkejajw

worn lava
buoyant axle
worn lava
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bc you know international relations major

buoyant axle
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worn lava
buoyant axle
worn lava
worn lava
buoyant axle
worn lava
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Boi I got my visa, I made my decision, the end

buoyant axle
worn lava
buoyant axle
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I’m funny

buoyant axle
buoyant axle
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And economics

worn lava
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i

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um

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okay

buoyant axle
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What did u think 🥺

worn lava
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i need to take econ classes so see u in econ lmao

worn lava
buoyant axle
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Before Harvard IR, I didn’t even know what international relations was LOL

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I WROTE MY ESSAYS ABOUT WORLDWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

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worn lava
worn lava
buoyant axle