Pomona students have full lives outside the classroom.

They are violinists, long-distance runners, environmental activists, short-story writers, computer whizzes and small business leaders. Even with rigorous academics, they find plentiful opportunities for personal growth, leadership development and recreation.

There’s a strong sense of community, with more than 95 percent of students living on campus. The residential nature of Pomona’s campus allows students to share their talents, develop new ones and benefit from the diverse social and intellectual backgrounds of their classmates and faculty.

One of the top gathering spots is the Smith Campus Center (shown above), home to two restaurants, a student store, recreation room and state-of-the-art meeting spaces. It’s common to see students eating lunch with their professors at the Sagehen Café.

Theatre productions, musical performances and art exhibitions are plentiful during the school year. Top scholars and other noteworthy visitors from around the world are constantly coming to campus to speak to students.

Clubs cover everything from politics to multicultural interests to religious activities, and new clubs are always forming. Athletic teams range from soccer to softball to swimming, and intramural sports offer fun and fitness.

The College is known for its world-class facilities. The Bridges Hall of Music is one of the West’s most beautiful concert halls. The Rains Center for Sport and Recreation includes multiple courts for basketball, volleyball, squash and racquetball, plus fitness and cardiovascular centers. There’s a comprehensive theatre complex featuring a 350-seat auditorium and a 100-seat experimental theatre space.

Students also reap many advantages from the being part of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate institutions. This allows Pomona students to enjoy the intimate atmosphere of a small college while still having access to the academic resources and social opportunities of a larger university.

Just a few blocks from campus is the charming Claremont Village, full of shops, eateries and coffeehouses. Plus the campus is within driving distance of Los Angeles’ many cultural and entertainment venues.

With sunny weather, outdoor adventures are plentiful. Every spring, students let off steam by hitting both the beach and the slopes in one day. It’s a fun tradition made possible by the campus’ have-it-all location in Southern California.

To find out more about life at Pomona, explore Pomona College Magazine's Day in the Life issue featuring several different views on a "typical" day on the Pomona College campus and among Pomona students studying abroad.