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How to Respond to the 2034/2024 Pomona College Supplemental Essay Prompts

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Pomona College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in Claremont, California. If you are applying, a few Pomona supplemental essays are required. These include an academic interest statement, a short response essay, and a longer response essay. Responding to these prompts in a stellar way offers the admissions professionals a better view of who you are. Let’s dive in!

Academic interest statement

The academic interest statement is a quick, 150 word maximum statement that shows why you chose to apply to Pomona. Quick doesn’t always mean easy, so give yourself plenty of time to write and review, and then repeat! 

Academic interest statement prompt

“What do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s)? If undecided, share more about one of your academic passions.”

 A topic for this prompt shouldn’t be too difficult to think of. If you are having trouble thinking of what to say, here are a few things to think about:

• What classes did you love in high school?
• What is the reason that you picked your major?
• What about your specific program at Pomona inspires you?
• What are your career aspirations?

These are all great questions to ask yourself before you start writing, to get you inspired. As with any college application essay, just be honest and be yourself–authenticity always comes through. 

Short-response essays

The Pomona College short response supplemental essays are each only a maximum of 150 words. The good thing about this section is that there are three prompt options to choose from. That means you only have to select one to write about. 

Short-response prompt #1

“At Pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. Share with us one of your quirky personal, family, or community traditions and why you hold on to it.”

This is a very unique question for a college application essay, which is why it is so great. You may not have a tradition that you can think of off the top of your head, and that’s okay! That just means this prompt may not be for you– which is why they have two more options. 

An example here might be a family tradition such as eating a certain meal as a family every week, and how you would like to carry a similar tradition to college with you. It could also be a tradition that your high school community had, such as a rival football game that gets you excited to explore team rivalries at your new school. Whatever you choose to write about, try to be clear and concise in your writing, because you do not have much space to write anything super “wordy”.

Short-response prompt #2

“What item are you excited to bring with you to college?”

This is a fun question because it is so open-ended. You can use this prompt to showcase your personality and the type of person you are. It reveals things about you that can’t be found on a resume or academic report. 

Whether it is some sort of memento that reminds you of your childhood or a more practical item that you can’t live without, this prompt allows you to be witty and let the reader see who you are. You could also take this question literally, and write about something that you are bringing with you that isn’t a tangible item– something you learned at some point during your life, or a quality that you have that will help you succeed in college. 

Short-response prompt #3

“Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world?

There are many directions that you can take this prompt, and we’re sure that upon reading it, you can think of at least one instance. For this prompt, you really want to channel the way that this feeling of empowerment made you feel, and how it affected your life, or the way you live your life. This can be a very deep question if you let it!

Longer response essays

The longer response essays are going to give you a bit more room to talk about things in more depth. They are going to be a maximum of 250 words, and you have three prompts to pick from, again for this section. 

Longer response essay #1

“In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about? Why?”

This prompt is really interesting, especially for a long response essay. For a prompt like this, the reader wants to be able to see how open-minded you can be. Are you a person who is willing to respectfully learn about the viewpoints of others? This tells a lot about a student and the way they live their lives (and how they might adapt to college life). Think about this when you are writing this prompt.

 Longer response essay #2

“Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?”

For this prompt, you could talk about your community as a whole. That could be your hometown, your high school, or another larger community. You could also share about a smaller community, such as an organization that you are a part of, a church group, a service group, or even a club at school. It is important to remember that the prompt is there to inspire you, not to lock you into one certain topic. You are allowed to stray slightly from the topic as long as you redirect it to align with the question they are asking you. 

Next, you want to start thinking about what Pomona College’s core values are. With this knowledge, you can align the values learned from your  community with those of Pomona College. The core values of Pomona are:

• Professionalism
• Student development
• Ethical behavior

Take these values and connect them to the values or perspectives that you will bring with you to college. The reader will be so impressed that you have done your homework and that you are aligned with what they believe in.

Longer response essay #3

“What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?”

This prompt is the perfect opportunity for you to dive in deep and really tell the college admissions professionals who you are on the inside. Don’t take this prompt and write about something simple– they want to know about your struggles and how they made you stronger. Lean into that feeling and write from your heart here.

A prompt like this one would be a great opportunity to write about struggles such as a medical problem, mental health struggles, bullying, family problems, growing up and growing out of friendships; the list could go on and on. This is the perfect opportunity to show Pomona what has made you stronger in your life, and how you choose to use those difficult experiences to better the life of others and yourself. This might be emotional, but that’s okay. If you feel comfortable writing about these topics, even if they are hard to get out on the page, it is going to give the essay a much more human feel. After all, sharing an authentic, lived experience reveals a person’s true colors. 

Final thoughts for students

Although having this many options to write about may seem daunting at first, it makes things a bit easier on you because you have so many options to choose from. This way, there is bound to be a prompt among the Pomona supplemental essays that fits every person. As long as you stay honest and concise in each of your essays, your personality will shine through. There is no doubt that this will impress the reader!

Additional resources

At Scholarships360, we get that applying to college is a stressful time– which is why we have your back! Once you’ve finished up your Pomona College supplemental essays, you can start looking into scholarship opportunities in our scholarship database , and additional college admissions tips . You can also check out our guides on how many colleges to apply for , how to choose a college , and how to plan college visits .

Realizing Pomona might not be for you? That’s okay too! We have tons of other articles on other schools supplemental essays as well, such as Stanford University , Claremont McKenna College , and much more. Good luck on the rest of your college admissions process!

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Pomona Supplemental Essays 2023-24

Pomona supplemental essays .

If you’re planning to apply to Pomona College, you’ll also need to prepare to write several Pomona supplemental essays. Each Pomona essay that you write should expand upon your values, interests, and character. The Pomona supplemental essays are a unique opportunity for applicants to impress admissions officers simply by sharing more information about themselves. 

Pomona College is the founding member of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven private undergraduate and graduate schools. The Claremont Colleges are located in Claremont, California, which is often considered to be one of the best college towns . As part of this collective, Pomona students are able to take part in the courses, programs, and offerings at their fellow universities. 

The undergraduate Claremont Colleges (Pomona, Scripps, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer) are all fairly selective. Indeed, Pomona is one of the best colleges in California as well as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. As a prestigious university, Pomona Admissions receives as many as 10,000 applications each year. With all that in mind, you’ll need to impress the admissions team with stellar Pomona supplemental essays. However, if you need help tackling the Pomona College supplemental essays, then you’re in the right place.

In our guide to the 2023-2024 Pomona Supplemental Essays, we’ll cover:

• Choosing the right Pomona College essay prompts for you
• How to write your Pomona supplemental essays
• Importance of the Ponoma essays in the admissions process
• Other Pomona requirements for admission
• And much much more!

By the end of this guide, we hope you’ll feel prepared and excited to start writing your Pomona College supplemental essays. But, before we dive into the Pomona College essay prompts, let’s start with some admissions quick facts.

Pomona College: Quick Facts

Pomona college admissions quick facts.

• Pomona Acceptance Rate: 7% – U.S. News ranks Pomona College among the most selective schools.
• 1 (~150 word) Why Major essay; Applicants will discuss their intended college major or, if Undecided, one of their academic passions.
• 1 (~150 word) short response Pomona essay: Applicants will choose from three Pomona College essay prompts about quirky traditions, personal items, and a time you felt empowered.
• 1 (~250 word) longer response Pomona essay: Applicants will choose from three Pomona College essay prompts about changing your perspective, community values, and personal strengths.
• Common Application
• Coalition Application
• QuestBridge Application
• Early Decision I: November 15th
• Early Decision II: January 8th
• Regular Decision: January 8th
• Pomona Essay Tip: All six of the Pomona College essay prompts are unique, so choosing the right one for you may be challenging. Whether you have a great idea for every prompt or are immediately drawn to one, don’t stress! There is no “correct” combinations of prompts to choose—your Pomona essays will be fantastic as long as they are specific, reflective, passionate, and authentic.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Pomona have supplemental essays?

Yes, Pomona has supplemental essays. The prompts for your Pomona College supplemental essays include a Why Major essay along with six unique prompts for you to choose from. These are school specific essays that are required in addition to your Common App or Coalition Application personal statement essay . 

Although there is one shorter and one longer response Pomona essay, neither is particularly long. However, both of the Pomona College supplemental essays require students to choose from multiple prompts. So, narrowing down which of the Pomona essay prompts to respond to may take some time.

How many essays does Pomona require?

Pomona requires students to submit three Pomona supplemental essays as part of their application. There are two shorter 150-word Pomona supplemental essays and one longer 250-word Pomona essay.

The first Pomona essay is a Why Major essay (150 words). Both the second and third Pomona supplemental essays ask students to choose from three Pomona essay prompts to respond to. Neither the shorter nor longer response Pomona essay has a specific theme. So, you’ll have the opportunity to write about a wide variety of topics in these Pomona supplemental essays. This can feel overwhelming, but it is also an excellent opportunity for applicants to share a meaningful part of themselves with admissions officers. 

The first step to writing great Pomona supplemental essays is to make sure you understand the prompts and how to approach them. In the next few sections, we’re going to go over each Pomona essay in more detail. First, we’ll discuss the Why Major Pomona essay. Then, we’ll take a look at the Pomona essay prompts for the shorter response essay. Lastly, we’ll do the same for the longer response Pomona essay. And, of course, along the way, we’ll provide you with plenty of tips to keep in mind while crafting your essays. 

Pomona College Why Major Essay

If you’ve started any other applications, this prompt may seem familiar. Many universities choose to incorporate a Why Major essay into their supplemental requirements. Let’s take a look at Pomona’s take on this type of prompt. 

Here is the Why Major Pomona essay prompt:

What do you love about the subject(s) you selected? If Undecided, share more about one of your academic passions. (150 words)

Part of Pomona’s mission is to help students identify and address their intellectual passions. So, naturally, they want to hear about your own academic interests. If you already know your intended major – great! As such, you’ll likely know exactly what you want to write about. However, if you’re Undecided, you might find the task more challenging. But, you shouldn’t! Simply talk about any of your academic passions, even if you’re not sure that you want to major in that particular subject.

When approaching this essay, it can be helpful to think of it chronologically. First, think of when you became interested in that topic. Were you inspired by one of your teachers in school? Or, did you read, watch, or hear something that sparked your curiosity? Then, consider where you are now – how has your relationship to the subject deepened or developed? 

Additionally, starting with an anecdote is a great way to immediately engage your reader. It might have to do with the moment you first were introduced to the subject or an example of your involvement in exploring it. (Dropping the reader into a specific experience is an effective way to start any of your Pomona supplemental essays!) While simply stating what you are interested in will technically answer the prompt, never miss an opportunity to paint a picture for your reader and support your points with detailed examples. In fact, successful college essays will do just that. 

Tie it into Pomona

Once you’ve established what you love about your chosen major, think forward to how you’ll continue to explore this topic at Pomona and beyond. Are there certain aspects of Pomona’s academic experience you plan to take advantage of? What type of profession do you hope to pursue? Or, if you’re not sure what career you might want to have, frame your future in impact. What issues do you want to help solve? How do you envision yourself engaging with and serving your community?

The Why Major Pomona essay is brief, so you’ll want to be sure to only include the most important details. A sentence or two is all you need to capture the essence of a personal anecdote and set the scene for sharing your academic passions. While you have the option to talk about both your first and second-choice academic interests, be strategic about the focus of your essay. Unless you can draw a connection between your two interests, you’re likely better off focusing on just one.

Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our Why Major essay examples to see some essays that worked, including a Pomona specific Why Major essay!

Pomona Essay – Short Response

Now let’s look at your second 150-word Pomona essay – the short response. Remember, students can choose from three Pomona essay prompts:

Pomona College Short Response Essay Prompts

Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 150 words., 1. at pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. share with us one of your quirky personal, family or community traditions and why you hold on to it., 2. what item are you excited to bring with you to college, 3. describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world..

The topic of your Pomona supplemental essays will largely depend on which prompt you choose. So, let’s take a look at each prompt and what you need to accomplish in your essay.

Short response prompt #1

This prompt asks you about your traditions, specifically those that are unique. For this prompt, you’ll want to describe what the tradition is and what it means to you.

Short response prompt #2

Remember, you have the power to imbue an object with meaning. If you choose this prompt, be sure to describe the item, why it is valuable to you, and why it’s important you have it with you in college.

Short response prompt #3

Here is an opportunity to define what empowerment means to you. Consider touching on the challenges that precipitated this moment or the lasting lessons or values you took away from the experience.

How to answer Pomona supplemental essays

The main goal of your Pomona College supplemental essays is to provide admissions with compelling, interesting details not found anywhere else in your application. So, when deciding on a topic, you’ll want to consider how the prompts you select for your Pomona supplemental essays play off of one another.

For example, let’s say short response Pomona essay prompt #1 immediately brought to mind a family tradition you love and value. If you feel passionate about writing that essay, you may want to choose a prompt beside #2 for your longer Pomona essay. Since both of these prompts are about community, you run the risk of being repetitive in your essays. However, if you have two communities in your life that are important to you and your identity, then feel free to write one essay for each of them!

On a more general note, you’ll want to highlight different qualities and characteristics in your Pomona supplemental essays. For example, let’s say you choose prompt #3 for your short answer Pomona essay and share a story about you leading your robotics team to a state championship. In your essay, you’d like to capture something about your interests as well as qualities such as perseverance, leadership, and collaboration. If you choose prompt #3 for your longer response essay, you’ll want to touch on different strengths or qualities not already reflected in your other Pomona essay.

Basically, use the different Pomona essay prompts to highlight varying skills, traits, experiences, and values. This is your opportunity to round out your application and craft the most intriguing narrative for admissions. Make sure each essay adds something new and different.  

Pomona Supplemental Essays – Longer Response Essay

Finally, let’s discuss the third of your Pomona supplemental essays – the longer response essay. As before, students will need to choose from three Pomona essay prompts:

Pomona College Supplemental Essay Prompts

Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 250 words., 1. in the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about why, 2. reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to pomona, 3. what strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize.

Let’s discuss each of these prompts in a bit more detail.

Longer response prompt #1

This is a great prompt because we get to see a moment of change and growth. Be sure to establish your previous perception or stance so we can see the difference between the before and after, connected through the “why”. Be sure to delve into why the change happened. This is where admissions will see your ability to reflect as well as your capacity for personal growth.

Longer response prompt #2

Think of this prompt as an opportunity to show Pomona why you’d be a valuable addition to their community. You’ll want to demonstrate the value or perspective through specific examples. You might expand on what a certain value looks like in your community or perhaps a moment where your community taught you something. Then, be sure to mention how this perspective or value would translate to a college campus.

Longer response prompt #3

With this prompt, you have free range to brag about yourself. Don’t be afraid to highlight your best qualities, so long as you can back them up with specific examples. Take advantage of anecdotes so that it doesn’t read as a list of strengths. You might even start this prompt by working backward, first thinking about some of your most meaningful experiences and then relating them to one of your strengths. 

How to write Pomona supplemental essay

Writing your Pomona College supplemental essays requires a similar approach to any college application essay . You’ll want to follow a complete writing process in order to arrive at the best Pomona supplemental essays possible. Each step is important so don’t cut corners. That means allowing yourself plenty of time to write these essays. 

Let’s check out the steps you should follow for each essay:

Steps for Writing Pomona College Supplemental Essays

1. brainstorming.

When approaching a prompt, try building a mind map to explore potential ideas. The topic with the most connections will likely be the easiest to write about. Not into a mind map? Well, there are plenty of other ways to come up with ideas. Check out this webinar for some more ideas!

2. Writing a first draft

Don’t worry about making your first draft perfect. In fact, don’t even stress about the word count yet. Just get your ideas down on paper. You’ll worry about sorting through them next.

3. Refining your ideas

Now that you’ve got a first draft, look for the throughline. What’s the overarching message or point of your essay? Do you have a beginning, middle, and end? Think about what you want your reader to be left with by the end of your essay, then go back and consider how each sentence contributes to that goal.

4. Editing for clarity

If your essay is too long, here’s where you can narrow down and highlight only the most important ideas. Where can you simplify your wording and make your statements more direct? Does your essay raise any questions that are left unanswered?

5. Proofreading

A final essay should be free of any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. When you’re happy with the content of your essay, be sure to do a final check to polish your essays and make sure they shine . It’s also helpful to have another pair of eyes read through your essays. They can check for any mechanical errors as well as clarity of the content. 

While you may decide to brainstorm for every prompt, you’ll probably want to settle on one before you start drafting your Pomona supplemental essays. Keep reading for more tips on how to select the right Pomona essay prompt for you.

Advice on choosing the right essay prompt for you

Choosing which of the Pomona College essay prompts to respond to might feel like a big decision. After all, the prompts you pick will directly impact your Pomona supplemental essays and the topics you discuss in them. Before you get stressed out about making this decision, just remember you can’t go wrong. The Pomona admissions team included all of these prompts for a reason: they want to read a Pomona essay about something you feel passionate about.

Now that you know you can’t go wrong with any of the Pomona College essay prompts, you still have a decision to make. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you decide which of the Pomona College essay prompts make the most sense for you.

Don’t limit your choices

While you may be immediately drawn to a specific prompt, take the time to do a timed free-write for all six of the Pomona College essay prompts. You may be surprised what topics you come up with for each when given the chance!

Always go back to the why

Imagine every prompt for your Pomona supplemental essays asks this question at the end: “Why?” For example, if you can’t articulate why you’re bringing your favorite stuffed animal from home in response to short answer prompt #2, it’s probably not a good enough topic for one of your Pomona supplemental essays. The meaning behind the topic you choose is the key to crafting passionate essays. 

Think about the bigger picture

Remember, your Pomona College supplemental essays won’t be considered on their own. They’ll be considered alongside your other essays and elements of your application. So, keep in mind your overall personal narrative and how each essay contributes to it. Use each essay to highlight something new so that admissions gets a true sense of who you are and what you’d bring to campus.

Remember, above all, choose the prompts you’ll have the most fun responding to! If your responses to the Pomona College essay prompts capture your voice and passion, you’re doing everything right.

Does Pomona care about essays?

If you’re wondering how to get into Pomona, you might be asking yourself how important the Pomona supplemental essays are when it comes to admissions decisions. As a highly ranked and selective college, Pomona needs to be impressed with every part of your application. Admissions is looking for students who are passionate about their intellectual pursuits and will thrive in their campus community. 

Furthermore, each Pomona essay is an opportunity to demonstrate how serious you are about attending Pomona. Completing the Pomona supplemental essays with care demonstrates your competence as a prospective student, commitment to personal excellence, and respect for the college. So, well-thought-out and polished Pomona supplemental essays should definitely be a top priority in your “how to get into Pomona” strategy.

To drive home the importance of your Pomona supplemental essays, consider this: There are many colleges without supplemental essays and others with optional supplemental essays. All three of the Pomona supplemental essays are required . That means admissions is relying on your essays to provide them with a full, vibrant picture of who you are and what you’ll bring to Pomona.

Additional information about Pomona College

So, now that we’ve gone over the essay prompts and have touched on just how important the Pomona supplemental essays are, let’s look at the other Pomona requirements. After all, you need more than just the essays to complete your Pomona application.

Pomona Requirements

In addition to your Pomona supplemental essays, you’ll need to submit:

• Completed Common App, Coalition, or QuestBridge application
• Official high school transcript
• School report and counselor recommendation
• Mid-year report
• Two letters of recommendation (from core academic subject areas)
• Application fee or fee waiver

Students also have the option of submitting standardized test scores , requesting an interview, and sharing an arts supplement . If you’d like to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher of an elective subject, coach, employer, or other individual, please note this must be in addition to the two required letters of recommendation.

Now, let’s touch on another important part of the application process – financial aid.

Pomona Financial Aid

Over half of Pomona’s students receive some level of financial aid . Pomona is need-blind, meaning they evaluate applications regardless of a student’s financial status. They are also dedicated to meeting fully demonstrated need. So, eligible students will receive an offer comprised of grants and a student employment allotment.

If you plan on applying for aid , be sure to do your research. The deadline to apply for financial aid will depend on whether you choose to apply Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision. Be sure to double-check the financial aid deadline for your chosen admissions plan.

If you have any more questions about what it’s like to attend Pomona, there are many ways to learn more. Pomona’s Connect / Visit page has everything from virtual campus tours, Q&As, and webinars as well as information regarding in-person programs and info sessions.

Pomona Supplemental Essays: Final Takeaways

As the most selective of the Claremont Colleges, Pomonacarefully considers each students application as a whole. In order to get the most complete understanding of their applicants, Pomona Admissions requires students to submit three Pomona College supplemental essays. While all students will write a Why Major essay, the other Pomona College essay prompts cover a range of topics.

To help you tackle your Pomona College supplemental essays, keep in mind these  key takeaways:

• Prospective students will need to write three Pomona supplemental essays: a Why Major essay, a short response essay, and a longer response essay.
• When selecting a prompt, consider what your Pomona supplemental essays will say about you as a whole.
• Ground your Pomona supplemental essays in a specific anecdote or personal experience. Bring each essay back to the “Why?” in order to write meaningfully. 

Before you submit your Pomona College supplemental essays, take a look at our guide on How to Get Into Pomona for more tips. Additionally, if you’re looking for more essay-writing tips, we have plenty of articles on how to write better essays . And, if you have more questions about your application to Pomona after it’s submitted, be sure to check out their FAQ . Good luck!

This essay guide was written by Stefanie Tedards. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Pomona College 2022-23 Supplemental Essay Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 8

You Have: 

Pomona College 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 150 words each, 1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s) : Why , Oddball, Community

The Pomona-specific essay prompts for those applying for Fall 2023 admission include an academic interest statement (max. 150 words); a short-response essay (max. 150 words); and a longer-response essay (max. 250 words).

(1) academic interest statement: what do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s) if undecided, share more about one of your academic passions..

This prompt is asking you to describe what you want to major in and explain why you like it so much that you’re willing to dedicate four years of life to its study. The admissions officer reviewing your application will likely expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion as well, so tell a story. The essays that stick with us are the ones that jump off the page with concrete descriptions from real life. What interests you and why? How have you gone about learning more about your subject of interest? What will this degree allow you to do (if you’re going in decided)? How have you already explored your inclination? While you don’t need to narrow in on the exact moment you became interested in geology or music education, try to focus on one significant experience. Your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study. 

(2) Short-Response Essay: choose to respond to one of the following three prompts in 150 words or less:

At pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. share with us one of your quirky personal, family, or community traditions and why you hold on to it..

The fun thing about community essays like this one is that the word “community” can refer to many kinds of groups/cultures/online clubs—if you’re connecting to others, that’s a community! The tradition you choose to discuss could be from an established community like your church or mosque, but it could also be from any other group you consider yourself a part of. Maybe you found an important group of friends and mentors once you got into artistic swimming and you are now the proud owner of a cherished good luck charm that will accompany you to college next year. Or perhaps you have a family tradition of playing a game of basketball after Thanksgiving every year. Do you look forward to it? Would it still be Turkey Day without your uncle’s famous alley-oop? If you’re drawing a blank, try to list out a few individual people who have impacted your life for the better. Then try to fit them into a larger community. How have your Twitch followers enriched your gaming experience? How can you lead admissions to a new way of understanding the person you are today?

What item are you excited to bring with you to college?

Do not overthink this prompt, dear applicants, for it is just another opportunity for admissions to get to know you better. If an item immediately comes to mind, we say run with it. If nothing comes to mind, fear not; you can work backward. Is there an element of your life, dreams, or personality that you have yet to share with admissions? Which item unlocks a story that demonstrates that aspect of your identity? You might be excited to bring a souvenir to campus that will serve as an icebreaker for meeting fellow students. Maybe you’re more of a mental health advocate and want to share how you’re bringing a weighted blanket to help ease potential anxiety. Perhaps making bracelets has always helped you to clear your mind and ground yourself in the present moment. Will you be bringing three packs of embroidery floss to campus? This prompt is so open-ended that anyone can make it their own, including you!

Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world?

Pomona College wants to know about a time when you felt empowered. What happened? How were you feeling? How did you grow from the experience? What skills did you develop? What did you learn? Maybe you stepped out of your comfort zone to audition for the school play and were, to your surprise, cast in a leading role. Perhaps you learned first-hand that great risks can yield great rewards and you plan to take that mindset with you to college. Did you bond with a student you tutored after school as part of a volunteer program? Maybe you continued to help him with his homework long after the program ended, cheering him on when he made Honor Roll for the first time, an achievement he never foresaw for himself. Whatever your top-of-the-world-moment is, don’t forget to connect it in some way to the type of college experience you hope to have at Pomona.

(3) Longer-Response Essay: choose to respond to one of the following three prompts in 250 words or less:

In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about why.

Admissions wants to know that you can view life from different perspectives by reflecting on your own behavior, values, and thought processes and drawing conclusions that best align with your values. As you consider this prompt, think back on those impassioned “aha!” moments that forced you to drastically re-examine a long-held belief. As you tell your story, include sensory details to bring your experience to life and help them connect with you. Applicants who can articulate their thoughts and feelings while showcasing malleability and willingness to thoughtfully consider the ideas of others will likely stand out as valuable additions to the Pomona College community. If this prompt jumps out at you because you have a very specific story to tell or opinion to voice, lean into it!

Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?

This is a classic community essay, through and through. While it’s similar to the tradition question above, it also asks you to dive deeper into a community you’re a part of and explain how they affect you (and vice versa)—with that in mind, it might be a good idea to select a different community than the one discussed in that answer! Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What traditions or aspects of your community would you like to share at Pomona? What you address can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or as specific as an ideology shared by your community theater troupe. Consider why your particular background or experience will be useful in an academic setting. How will it help inspire and/or inform others? Were you raised in an intentional community? Do you identify as a BIPOC? Have you lived on three different continents? What do you believe and how will your worldview bring something of value to the community at Pomona?

What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?

This prompt is the perfect outlet for you to showcase your more personal skills and/or quirks. If you choose to respond to this prompt, have fun with it! Maybe you’ve always had an uncanny talent for reading body language. Do your friends refer to you as a “mind reader”? Maybe you have a knack for bringing people together and making them feel included. How do you foster an inclusive environment? If nothing immediately comes to mind, try working backward: What do you want admissions to know about you? What is one trait you’re proud to embody? What kind of impact would you like to have on the world? Your answers to these questions will likely lead you to a quality response (pun intended).

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Breaking Down the Pomona Supplemental Essays 2020-2021

Padya Paramita

October 1, 2020

Pomona College has consistently ranked among the top 5 liberal arts schools over the past decade. This year, it came in at  #4 in the US News rankings. At Pomona, students can take advantage of studying at a small college with an average class size of 15, along with the opportunities offered by a larger university thanks to its connections to the other members of the Claremont Consortium — Scripps College, Pitzer College, Harvey Mudd, and Claremont McKenna. If you have your eyes on Pomona, you must communicate to admissions officers why you’re a strong fit through the Pomona Supplemental Essays 2020-2021.

Pomona is known for its challenging academic programs, liberal arts curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities across different fields. To be amongst the 7.4% students who are accepted each year, you must showcase how you would take advantage of the school’s resources and contribute to campus by writing stellar essays. In this blog, I’ve outlined the different prompts for the Pomona supplemental essays 2020-2021 , how to answer them, and further tips to help you distinguish yourself from other applicants.

Pomona Supplemental Essays 2020-2021

Students at Pomona are encouraged to take a variety of classes before declaring their major(s) in their second year. Tell us what gets you excited about the academic interest(s) you selected or any other fields of study you hope to explore in college. (150 words)

The key to answering this question among the Pomona supplemental essays 2020-2021 lies in conducting appropriate research surrounding the major and college you’ve chosen. Think about what your experiences have looked like so far — and most importantly, connect your past to your chosen field at Pomona. You can write about unique courses that are only offered at Pomona that appeal to you within your major,

The word limit (150 words) is extremely tight, so make sure to assert your interest in the subject into your essay as well. Mention any example from your high school experience that conveys your passion for the field. Elaborate on how your experiences and exploration of the topics within the discipline so far make you a strong candidate for the program. If there have been any ways you’ve actively pursued your interest - such as directing a play for the Theatre major or starting your own nonprofit that supports women as a future Gender Studies Major mention them in a sentence or two. 

Since there’s not much space, you won’t be able to get too much into the details about other areas of academic focus, and that’s okay. Drive home your enthusiasm both for your intended academic field, and how Pomona can specifically hone your skills and contribute to  your growth as a student. 

Question 2: Quick Responses

All the questions in this section are entirely optional (and we mean it!). 

• If there are aspects of your identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please provide that information below. (50 words or less)
• If not captured elsewhere in your application, please share with us how you have overcome challenges in your life. (50 words or less)

Although these questions are optional, answering them can help demonstrate your uniqueness to the admissions officer. You might wish to talk about your familial background or sexual orientation in response to the identity essay. You may also be compelled to answer the second prompt and briefly elaborate on a significant challenge you’ve faced. Discussing a part of you that’s personal can be a difficult and vulnerable experience so you shouldn’t feel pressured to talk about something you’re not comfortable with. But if something about your identity or a specific challenge you’ve overcome is central to who you are, we encourage you to use this space accordingly. 

At the same time, be careful if you’re answering the question about a challenge you’ve overcome. Failing a math test might seem shallow in comparison to a student who may have tackled serious issues like losing someone close or facing homelessness. . Only use this space if, when thinking of the general application pool, your challenge was objectively significant.  Think carefully about your response, and answer if you feel comfortable.

Before jumping into the required essays, you have the option to show us a little more of your personality. You can answer one, two, three, or none of the following questions. (1-50 words each)

• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
• What’s your favorite way to eat a potato?
• You’re relaxing on a Friday night. Suddenly, your favorite song pops into your head. What is it?

The key to writing these very short answers is to make sure you’re being truthful. Don’t just try to aim for what you think the admissions officers want to read. Clearly, these answers want you to get creative and showcase a more fun side. You might think McDonald’s fries are the best way to eat a potato or maybe.... Don’t overthink it — write it down. The same tip applies to your favorite song. You’re a high schooler — no one is expecting your favorite song to be a classical jazz piece. If that is truly the case, of course you should say that. But if you prefer a pop group or emo band, be honest. Admissions officers just want to get to know you!

Pomona College requires two short essays (200-250 words each) to complete your application. Please choose two of the three essay prompts for your responses. 

Choose one of the following two prompts:

Tell us about an experience when you dealt with disagreement or conflict around different perspectives within a community.

This can be a challenging essay to tackle if you were involved in a controversial disagreement. However, if there was an incident that could show your honesty and integrity — and your unique perspective — you should definitely choose this prompt. Think about how the incident would reflect on your character and whether you’d want such a person at your school if you were in the admissions officers’ shoes.

In your essay, outline what happened and how you dealt with the conflict — but focus most of your words on what your takeaway was from the situation. You can try your hand at this essay if you encountered a situation where you acted with integrity. It might be a good chance to showcase your qualifications as a leader and desirable candidate. Or if you made a mistake - yet the situation respects boundaries and won’t portray you negatively - and you have learned from the incident since, you could also try that angle. Admissions officers want to know how you act when faced with a tough situation and whether you’re someone who is either reliable under pressure or someone who has grown from their mistakes.

Tell us about one of the communities you belong to and what it means to bring that shared belief and/or perspective to Pomona.

Since the prompt does not mention specific boxes which your choice of community has to check, think about a place where you’ve actually made the biggest impact. Think about how to differentiate yourself - while service trips abroad definitely could count as community service, they won’t help paint a memorable picture of you because lots of students participate in them. You could write about smaller circles such as your family, friend group, or neighborhood. You may have helped the community as a whole or you could have helped one or two individuals who belong to it. 

To think about the kinds of contributions to elaborate on, ask yourself the following questions:

• How have you collaborated with others in your community?
• Have you taken any risks to help others? How have they paid off?
• Have you spearheaded any initiatives towards change?
• Are there any service examples that portray your curiosity and creativity?
• Why do you care about this community? How have you shown it? 

If you choose a larger community - like your whole school or city - make sure your essay still focuses on your own contribution and role. A response to such a prompt needs to follow the classic “show, not tell” advice. Admissions officers won’t be satisfied with just “I helped my family.” You need to dig deeper and convince them through the Pomona application essays 2020-2021 that you are the kind of hardworking and passionate individual who can thrive at Pomona.

Further Tips for Answering the Pomona Supplemental Essays 2020-2021

• Be Careful About Repeating Your Personal Statement - Pomona College is a member of the Common App, so there’s no point repeating what you’ve said in your personal statement , especially considering that Prompt 1 in Question 2 is very similar to the Common App prompt: “ Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?” Because admissions officers want each essay to add something new to your profile, don’t repeat yourself. Or, if your Pomona and Common App questions overlap, write about a different experience for Pomona. If you keep repeating information, your application is pretty much bound to bore the admissions officers. That’s the last thing you want.
• Be succinct but confident - The Pomona supplemental essays 2020-2021 have a tight word limits. The longest word limit is only 250 words. So in a matter of 100-200 words, you have to confidently answer questions by convincingly telling a story, providing a clear picture of yourself, and outlining your goals in relation to the programs at Pomona. Don’t beat around the bush. Get straight to the point and go through multiple drafts while internally reflecting on how Pomona is the right school for you.

The best way to stand out from your peers in the Pomona supplemental essays 2020-2021 is to emphasize qualities and experiences that are unique to you and the school itself. If admissions officers come away from reading your responses knowing you’re making a well-informed decision, they’re more likely to go to bat for you. Ultimately, make sure your responses have highlighted the perspective you’ll bring and how Pomona resources can help you achieve your goals. Best of luck!

Tags : Pomona supplemental essays 2020-2021 , pomona supplemental essays , pomona college , how to get into pomona , supplemental essays

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Admissions Alerts

April 7, 2021

Pomona College Announces Four-Year Test-Optional Policy

Pomona College has extended its test-optional policy for three additional years for students applying for first-year and transfer admission for Fall 2022, 2023 and 2024 entry. Under this policy, SAT or ACT scores are not required to apply, but students with available scores may choose to self-report them when applying.

The choice to submit or not submit test scores is up to the applicant. Students are encouraged to decide how best to present themselves to the admissions committee and whether—or not—their standardized test results accurately reflect their academic ability and potential.

Pomona’s holistic or whole-person review process ensures that test scores are one factor among many– grades, curriculum rigor, recommendations and essays–that are considered in the application review process to assess academic preparation for Pomona. The submission of an arts supplement will continue to be an optional component of the Pomona application.

The College’s selection process will continue to be thorough and comprehensive, notes Assistant Vice President and Director of Admissions Adam Sapp. “We use a multi-factor review process and make decisions via committee,” he says. “It has always been our goal to admit students who we know will flourish at Pomona—the test optional policy will not change that.”

March 12, 2021

Pomona College Extends Test-Optional Policy for One Year

Pomona College has extended its test-optional policy for one year for students applying for first-year and transfer admission for Fall 2022 entry. Under this policy, SAT or ACT scores are not required to apply, but students with available scores may choose to self-report them when applying.

The choice to submit or not submit test scores is up to the applicant. Students are encouraged to decide how best to present themselves to the admissions committee and whether—or not—their standardized test results accurately reflect their academic ability and potential. Applicants to Pomona will be asked on the application if they would like to submit a standardized test score. If a student answers “yes,” they will submit their application and will be asked to self-report their scores later on their Pomona applicant portal. 

Test scores are one factor among many– grades, curriculum rigor, recommendations and essays–that are considered in the application review process to assess academic preparation for Pomona. The submission of an arts supplement will continue to be an optional component of the Pomona application.

March 10, 2020

A Message About the Coronavirus and Visit Policies

As Pomona College continues to closely monitor the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and follow national and regional public health guidance, precautionary restrictions on travel, visitors and events have been implemented. Beginning March 10, all organized campus tours have been canceled. We will hold information sessions March 10-13. Beginning March 14, the Office of Admissions will be closed to visitors ; we hope to welcome visitors after April 30. During this rapidly evolving public health situation, we will continue to update you on campus visit options by email and on our website for coronavirus information .

We are committed to supporting the health and safety of our community while continuing to focus on our educational mission. While there are no reported cases of coronavirus at Pomona College, we have made this decision to minimize risks both to travelers and to our community members. For more information about the coronavirus, its symptoms and any current health or travel advisories, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website .

We will provide updates about more virtual programming options in the coming weeks and can offer you a range of sources now for learning more about Pomona:

• Our website is a tried and true source of information—from our 48 majors to admissions and financial aid policies
• Follow us on social: @pomonaadmissions on Instagram, @pomonaadmit on Twitter, and our YouTube channel are great resources
• Our students have a blog ! They write about adventures abroad, research, the Claremont caffeine scene, and much, much more

While we regret we cannot offer you the experience of physically visiting our beautiful campus at this time, we are always happy to answer your questions by email or phone (909-621-8134).

February 5, 2020

A Message for Those Affected by School Closures in Wake of the Coronavirus​

We are aware that many overseas schools are modifying their schedules as a precaution in response to the coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Pomona College will work with students, teachers and counselors to understand any modifications to classes and will not allow these changes to negatively impact students’ applications in our review process. Students who have already been admitted to the Class of 2024 will not have their admission offers rescinded; however, we expect that students will fulfill all expectations set forth by their schools to complete their high school diplomas.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to closely monitor the situation. Currently, immigration from China to the United States has restrictions, but at this time we do not expect that there will be any changes to how I-20s will be issued to enrolling students this spring. Please refer to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for the Pomona College Community and contact the Office of Admissions if you have any further questions or concerns.

October 29, 2019

A Message for Those Affected by California Fires and Power Outages

In response to the significant impact on the lives of students, families and school officials due to wildfires, the loss of electric power and/or mandatory school closures under threat of California wildfires throughout the state, Pomona College’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid extends the Early Decision application deadline to Nov. 8 for those impacted. To support students in the application process, the Office of Admissions offers extended time to submit application materials for impacted students, counselors and teachers, including the following:

• An automatic extension for impacted students. All impacted applicants now have until midnight PDT on Friday Nov. 8. to submit their application for Early Decision I. To request an extension beyond Nov. 8, please email  [email protected] .
• An automatic extension to midnight PDT on Friday Nov. 8 for impacted teachers and counselors to submit the school profile, letters of recommendation, official transcripts and other materials. If an extension is needed beyond Nov. 8, please email  [email protected] .
• An automatic extension to Nov. 8 for impacted parents, legal guardians and students working to complete financial aid paperwork. If an extension is needed beyond Nov. 8 please email [email protected] with your request.
• If you have any other questions about the admissions or financial aid application processes, or if we can assist you in any other way by providing critical assistance, please contact us at  [email protected]  or call the Office of Admissions at (909) 621-8134.

October 22, 2019

A Message for Those Affected by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Strike

Students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) district have recently been impacted by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) labor strike. In addition to teachers, this strike includes school counselors and other support staff critical to the timely and successful submission of college applications and school supporting documents. In response, Pomona College’s Office of Admissions offers consideration in the application process to students in the CPS district.

To support you in the application process, the Office of Admissions offers the following assistance:

• If you need an extension for the Nov. 1  Early Decision deadline , we can extend the deadline to Nov. 8. For further requests, please email  [email protected] .
• We will grant extensions to teachers and counselors for submission of the school profile, letters of recommendation, official transcripts and other materials. If an extension is needed beyond the extended Nov. 8 deadline, please email  [email protected]  with your request.
• If you have any other questions about the admissions or financial aid application processes, or if we can assist you in any other way, please contact us at  [email protected]  or call the Office of Admissions at (909) 621-8134.

A Message for Those Affected by Natural Disasters

In recent years, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes have had a destructive impact on many of our applicants and current students. Currently, tornadoes have  negatively affected students and their families in the Dallas area, leaving them struggling to cope. The Pomona community has reacted with sadness and concern. The Office of Admissions extends its sympathies to those affected and will continue to offer support in the application process to those who might suffer through a natural disaster.

• If you need an extension for the Nov. 1 Early Decision deadline , please email [email protected] with the request.
• If paying the application fee presents a financial hardship for you or your family, please request a fee waiver, consistent with  our policies . Please request the “Pomona-specific fee waiver” on the Common Application, and we will automatically grant the waiver to domestic or international students.
• We will grant extensions to teachers and counselors for submission of the school profile, letters of recommendation, official transcripts and other materials. If an extension is needed beyond the application deadline, please email [email protected]  with your request.
• The Office of Financial Aid will work with families who may suffer from financial hardship as a result of natural disasters. If you have been impacted, please submit a letter of special circumstances to the Office of Financial Aid to alert us and we will work with you to take your circumstances into consideration. The College Board will automatically provide a CSS Profile fee waiver based on FEMA’s disaster area designations. More information may be accessed on the College Board’s Natural Disaster website.
• If you have any other questions about the admissions or financial aid application processes, or if we can assist you in any other way, please contact us at  [email protected]  or call the Office of Admissions at (909) 621-8134, or contact the Office of Financial Aid at (909) 621-8205 or  [email protected] .

July 1, 2019

Pomona College’s 2019-2020 Supplemental Essay Prompts Are Available 

When the Common Application goes live August 1, 2019, applicants will be able to see the prompts for the personal essay requirement. The Common Application personal essay is sent to every college to which the applicant applies. To create an account, visit  The Common Application website . As a reminder, applicants to Pomona may use the Common Application, the Coalition Application or the Questbridge Application. For those applying to Pomona using the Common Application, we require two short supplemental essays. Those Pomona-specific essay prompts are now available on our Application Overview webpage . Applicants will choose to answer two of the three questions with responses of 200 to 250 words.

• Imagine having a 1 a.m. debate/discussion with your peers in college about an issue you care about. What is that issue, and what is the discussion?
• Share your favorite quote, and tell us what it means to you. The quote can be from an author, leader, musical artist, family member or other source—famous or not. (The quote will not be part of the word limit.)
• We want to understand you better! Tell us about a skill you have (useless or useful) and what it says about you.

September 17, 2018

Pomona College Admissions Office Expands College Access Partnerships

In its ongoing efforts to expand outreach to underrepresented populations, Pomona College’s Office of Admissions will increase its partnerships with leading college access organizations around the country. New partnerships for 2018-19 include The Ron Brown Scholars Guided Pathways Program , College Greenlight and Arkansas Commitment . Building on long-standing relationships with College Horizons , KIPP Foundation , the Posse Foundation and QuestBridge , these new partnerships continue Pomona College’s tradition of working with national, stateSer and local organizations in order to expand higher education opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

“We are excited to begin working with these new partners to further the goal of reaching more talented students around the country and the world,” said Director of Admission Adam Sapp. “We are pleased to be partnering with some of the most capable and high-impact organizations working in this space today.”

Additional agreements with the Marine Corps’ Leadership Scholars Program , Service to School (S2S) and the Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCCA) support Pomona College’s initiatives to enroll talented military veterans and community college transfer students. Work with current international partners such as the Sutton Trust , the Grew Bancroft Foundation , the Yanai Tadashi Foundation , Bridge2Rwanda and the Nairobi-based Equity Group Foundation likewise allow Pomona to expand pipelines for talented international students from diverse backgrounds.

Established in 1887, Pomona College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, Calif., about 35 miles east of Los Angeles. One of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, Pomona is a close-knit and diverse community of accomplished scholars, scientists, entrepreneurs and artists who are passionate about making a difference in the world. There are approximately 1,670 students who come from 63 nations and all 50 U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Pomona College admits domestic applicants (U.S. citizens, permanent residents and those who graduate from a U.S. high school) regardless of their ability to pay and then meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students. Fifty-eight percent of students receive need-based financial aid and twenty percent of students at Pomona are Pell Grant recipients.

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The Ultimate Guide to Applying to Pomona

When we consider colleges, we often draw a distinction between small liberal-arts colleges and large universities , both of which educational models have their own particular strengths and weaknesses. However, some colleges seem to meld the best of both worlds, and Pomona College is a great example of this combination. With help from the larger Claremont Colleges consortium , of which it is one of the founding members, Pomona pairs the intimacy and personal attention of a small liberal-arts college with the resources and wide-ranging opportunities of a much larger university, to the great benefit of its student body.

Pomona is home to a highly diverse group of undergraduates whose academic interests are as varied as their backgrounds, but who are united in their academic prowess, talent, and open-mindedness. The academic culture at Pomona is one of collaboration and cooperation, and the school claims to be “competitive but not cutthroat— a very important distinction.” Its location in sunny Southern California, within reach of both the mountains and the ocean as well as the big-city energy of Los Angeles, certainly doesn’t hurt its appeal.

Are you considering applying to Pomona? Read on for more information about life at Pomona, the Pomona application and admissions process, and what you can expect if you put Pomona on your college list.

Introducing Pomona

Located in the suburban setting of Claremont, California, only about 35 miles away from Los Angeles, Pomona College is a very well-regarded private liberal arts college . According to the U.S. News and World Reports rankings , Pomona is tied for fourth place in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category, and is also highly ranked for its undergraduate teaching and for being a great value financially.

About 1,650 undergraduate students attend Pomona, with 98% of these students residing on the 140-acre campus. Students can choose between 48 different academic majors for their Bachelor of Arts degrees. The most popular majors are mathematics, economics, and majors in the biological sciences.   Academic minors are available in many of the same fields.

Pomona is the oldest member of the Claremont Colleges, sometimes formally known as the Claremont University Consortium, a consortium of seven schools (five undergraduate and two graduate) with a total enrollment of around 8,000 students. There’s something for everyone among the Claremont colleges, including a women’s-only school, five undergraduate schools, two graduate institutions, and a variety of different emphases among the different schools involved.

For Pomona students, the presence of these other institutions makes for a uniquely enriched college experience. Students enrolled at Pomona can take up to 50% of their courses at the other undergraduate institutions in the Claremont consortium, and most students do take advantage of this access to over 2,200 courses in total. The Claremont Colleges also share facilities such as dining halls and libraries, expanding the social world for Pomona students beyond their own relatively small college.

In addition to its connections with the other Claremont Colleges, Pomona also participates in dual-degree undergraduate pre-engineering programs which allow students to split their time between Pomona and either the California Institute of Technology, Dartmouth College , or Washington University in St. Louis. Students will not need to apply to these engineering programs until after they have matriculated at Pomona and consulted with a Pomona advisor, but interested applicants should be aware that they will need to plan out their courses carefully from the beginning in order to make sure all requirements are met.

As we mentioned, social and extracurricular life at Pomona involves a great deal of overlap with the other Claremont Colleges.  In conjunction with Pitzer College, one of the other Claremont Colleges, Pomona offers opportunities to play on 21 varsity athletic teams. Intramural and club sports are also popular.

The consortium as a group offers more than 250 student groups, some school-specific, others which bring together students from the various Claremont schools. Many students enjoy participating in outdoor activities in the greater Southern California landscape. One much-beloved Pomona tradition, the annual “Ski-Beach Day,” involves a ski trip in the morning and a beach trip that very afternoon, all within a reasonable drive’s distance of Pomona’s campus.

Pomona Admissions Information

Admission to Pomona is very competitive. Pomona received 8,104 applications for the class of 2020, and 743 applicants were accepted, making the acceptance rate 9.1%. The applicant pool is typically extremely strong, and Pomona is not able to make admission offers to all qualified students who apply.

When reviewing applications, Pomona’s admissions office takes into account a variety of factors. Along with “academic aptitude” in the form of grades and test scores, Pomona is looking for students who have taken full advantage of the academic challenges offered to them at their particular schools. In other words, you won’t be penalized if your high school didn’t offer the best courses or other opportunities; Pomona is more interested in what you accomplished with the materials to which you did have access.

The college looks for essays that show “passion” and “thoughtfulness”, teacher and counselor recommendations that indicate you will be a positive contributor to the community, and such qualities as openness to new ideas, adventurousness, and personal character. Pomona also appreciates applicants who have had some involvement with the creative arts, including music, theater, dance, or visual art.

In addition to first-year applicants, Pomona also accepts applications from transfer applicants who have completed one year or more of college elsewhere, though the transfer admissions process is also extremely competitive. For the 2015-2016 school year, Pomona received 356 transfer applications and admitted 20 transfer students. This makes the transfer admission rate about 5.62%.

Paying for Pomona

For the 2016-2017 school year, the billed cost of attendance for a Pomona student is $64,957, which includes $49,005 for the year’s tuition. This billed cost does not include the cost of books, personal expenses, travel to and from Pomona, or certain fees for optional activities, which will vary from student to student.

For applicants from the United States, admission to Pomona is need-blind. This means that, for these applicants, their ability to pay for college will not impact whether or not they are admitted. 57% of students at Pomona receive need-based financial aid from the college to assist with the cost of their education.  

While Pomona’s own institutional financial aid is entirely need-based, students can bring in additional funds from outside merit scholarships  to cover their own financial obligation to the college. Students are not required to take out loans as part of their financial aid packages, though supplemental loans are available as a financing option, and students are also expected to contribute to their education from their own income.  

All students who wish to apply for financial aid must submit the CSS Profile and tax documents for their families; students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must also submit the FAFSA . The CSS Profile is due on November 1st for Early Decision 1 students, February 1st for Early Decision 2 students, and March 1st for Regular Decision or Transfer students. (We’ll go over what these categories mean later on in this post.) Applicants on all timelines must submit the FAFSA and tax documents by March 1st.

Pomona’s need-based financial aid policy means that the college assesses the data it collects through the financial aid application documents , determines the amount of financial need for each student who applies, and creates a grant-based financial-aid package intended to bridge the gap between what the student’s family can pay and the full cost of attending Pomona. Applicants from the United States can visit Pomona’s Net Price Calculator to get an idea of how much aid they might receive if accepted, though this estimate is not binding.

The situation is somewhat different for applicants from outside the United States . At Pomona, admission for international applicants is need-aware, which means that the ability of these applicants to pay for college may impact their admissions decisions. International applicants who wish to apply for financial aid must do so when they submit their admissions applications. No financial aid is available for international transfer students.

International applicants who wish to apply for financial aid will need to submit the CSS Profile and the International Student Certification of Finances form, along with a translated copy of their family’s most recent tax documents or other statements of earnings. Applicants from certain countries (listed on Pomona’s website ) will be able to submit the  International Student Financial Aid Application in place of the CSS Profile. All financial aid application materials for international students must be submitted by March 1st.

Students who are undocumented residents of the United States are not considered to be international applicants at Pomona, unlike at some schools, and therefore the need-aware policy does not apply to them. More information on Pomona’s approach to admission and financial aid for undocumented students or students with DACA status can be found on the Pomona admissions website.

The Pomona Application

Pomona offers its prospective first-year students three avenues to applying: the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and the Questbridge application . You can choose whichever of these application options suits you best; which application you use has no bearing on your admission decision.

Using the Common App or the Coalition App, prospective applicants can choose between three different timelines on which to apply to Pomona: Early Decision 1 (ED I or ED 1), Early Decision 2 (ED II or ED 2), or Regular Decision (RD). The ED 1 and ED 2 programs are both binding Early Decision programs, which means that students who apply to Pomona on these timelines cannot apply to any other schools using that same timeline, and also sign an agreement obligating them to attend Pomona if they are accepted.

ED 1 students must submit their applications by November 15th, and will receive their admissions decisions by December 15th. ED 2 students must submit their applications by January 18th, and will receive their admissions decision by February 15th. RD applicants also submit their applications by January 1st, but don’t receive their admissions decisions until April 1st. You can visit the Pomona admissions website for additional information on application requirements and timelines.

Students who apply to Pomona through the QuestBridge National College Match program have an initial Pomona application deadline of November 1st. In order to make use of the QuestBridge application process for Pomona, however, a prospective applicant must have already applied separately to the QuestBridge program and been named a Finalist in that program. We’ll go over more information about the QuestBridge program below.

Finally, as we mentioned above, Pomona also accepts applications from students seeking to transfer to Pomona from other colleges. The due date for all transfer applications, which are submitted using the Common App,  is February 1st, and applicants will receive their admissions decisions by April 1st. You can learn more about Pomona’s transfer policies by visiting their web page for transfer applicants.

Common Application

In order to apply to Pomona through the Common App, you’ll first need to create a Common App profile online and add Pomona to your My Colleges list. Then, you’ll need to complete the basic questions that the Common App asks of everyone. For instructions on how to approach the Common App, take a look at our User’s Guide to the Common App, as well as our targeted posts on how to fill out the sections about your demographics, citizenship, academics, activities, awards, and more.

Here, you’ll see five tabs, labeled General, Academics, Contacts, Family, and Pomona Supplemental Essay. Below, we’ll go over the questions contained in each of these categories in greater detail.

• Preferred start term: Choose Fall 2017 from the drop-down menu.
• Preferred admission plan: Choose Early Decision I, Early Decision II , or Regular Decision from the drop-down menu.
• Do you intend to use one of these school-specific fee waivers?: If you are applying to Pomona using one of the fee waiver programs in the drop-down menu for this question, select that program. If not, select Not Applicable.
• Do you intend to pursue need-based financial aid?: Select yes if you intend to apply for financial aid from Pomona, or no if you do not intend to do so.
• Do you intend to submit a portfolio so that your special talent in the arts or your scientific research will be considered as part of the admission process to Pomona College?: Select yes or no— but first, check out our CollegeVine blog post on whether submitting supplemental information is a good idea for you. If you do decide to submit an supplement highlighting your previous research or your arts talent, you’ll need to do so separately from your Common App supplement.
• If there are aspects of your identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please provide that information below in no more than 50 words.: This question is not required, and you should only answer it if you believe that your circumstances are not adequately explained by the rest of your application materials. Check out the CollegeVine blog for more information about whether you should make use of the opportunity to include additional information on your application. Remember, this should be a brief answer and not an essay.

• What academic programs at Pomona College interest you? List in order of preference: For this question, you’ll need to provide your top two favorite academic programs at Pomona. Consult Pomona’s list of academic programs for links if you need more information about any of the programs listed. This question is not in any way binding, and you’re permitted to choose Undecided for either answer, so don’t stress out too much about making a choice. Just put down whichever program seems to suit you best right now. (Remember what you answered for this question, though— it will be important again when you write your essays for Pomona.)
• Do you plan to pursue graduate study in any of these pre-professional fields?: In the drop-down menu, you can choose between Pre-Law, Pre-Medicine, and Pre-Business fields. If you intend to go into one or more of these fields, select them from the drop-down menu; if not, you don’t need to answer this question. Again, this question is in no way binding, so don’t stress out too much about answering it.

• Have you previously applied to Pomona College?: Select yes or no. If you select yes, you’ll be prompted to provide the month and year you previously applied to Pomona.
• How have you learned about Pomona College? List in order of influence.: Select the ways you learned about Pomona, such as through a parent or through a school publication, from the drop-down menu. Click on Add Another to add another response, and use the arrow buttons that will appear to rank these responses in order of how much they influenced you. This question isn’t required, but answering it is helpful to Pomona in determining which of its outreach efforts are working best.

For the Family section, you’ll answer the following questions:

• Are any siblings also applying for undergraduate admission to Pomona College this year?: Select yes if you have one or more siblings who are applying to Pomona this year; otherwise, select no. If you select yes, you’ll be prompted to provide their names and relationships to you.
• Have any relatives ever attended Pomona College?: Select yes if you have any relatives who have attended Pomona; otherwise, select no. If you answer yes for this question, you will be prompted to enter their name(s), relationship(s) to you, and the number of degrees they (each) received. You can add up to five relatives.
• Have any relatives ever worked for Pomona College?: Select yes if you have any relatives who have been employed by Pomona; otherwise, select no. If you answer yes, you will be prompted to enter their name(s), relationship(s) to you, and job information.  You can add up to five relatives.

Finally, you’ll need to answer the questions in the Pomona Supplemental Essay section, which you can see below:

For the first question, all applicants will answer the same prompt in a text box within the application:

“Most Pomona students enter the College undecided about a major, or they change their minds about their prospective major by the time they graduate. Certainly we aren’t going to hold you to any of the choices you’ve made above. But please do tell us why you’ve chosen the major or majors (or Undecided!) that you have (in no more than 250 words).”

For the second question, you will choose between three different prompts and upload a document containing your written response:

“Please respond to one of the following three prompts:

• Prompt 1: Each year, the Pomona Student Union hosts a “Great Debate.” Thought leaders with opposing views on a certain issue are invited to make their case in front of the student body. What is an issue that you think has two or more sides and what views would be important to capture in order to understand the nuances of the debate? Why do you think it would be important for the Pomona student body to be exposed to this debate?
• Prompt 2: Tell us about a subject that you couldn’t stop exploring, a book you couldn’t put down, or a Wikipedia rabbit hole you dove into. Why did it fascinate you?
• Prompt 3: Pomona has a long history of bringing together students of diverse backgrounds who want to push intellectual limits and who want to engage in a community that values difference. Write about a time when you were aware of your difference. How did it change you and what did you learn from the experience?”

For a detailed breakdown of how to write these essay responses, see our CollegeVine blog post How to Write Pomona College’s Essays 2016-2017 .

Coalition Application

The Coalition App is another application system available for you to use when applying to Pomona, as well as the other Coalition App member schools. Created by the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success , the Coalition App is available for the first time for the 2016-2017 application season.

The Coalition App system asks for much of the same basic information as the Common App, albeit in somewhat different ways. However, the Coalition App’s differences may make it a more appealing option for you personally. If you’re considering applying to a school that offers the Coalition App option, it’s a good idea to look at the Coalition App website to see how its approach to gathering admissions information is different.

As with the Common App, in order to explore and apply using the Coalition App, you’ll need to create a Coalition App account online. Once your account is created, you can set up your profile, fill out your basic information, and add Pomona to your list of schools.

The Coalition App has its own set of basic essay prompts that are presented to all applicants. For a detailed description of how to respond to each Coalition App essay prompt, you can take a look at the CollegeVine blog post on How to Write the Coalition Application Essays 2016-17.

In addition to the basic Coalition App, you’ll need to fill out some supplemental questions that are Pomona-specific. You can find these supplemental questions on the Coalition App website itself, or on Pomona’s own website .

Pomona’s supplemental questions for 2016-2017 are as follows:

Environments and experiences shape people in different ways.  What is your world like? As a result, what characteristics, beliefs, or values will you bring with you when you begin college, and how does this help us understand who you are?

You can respond to this prompt with an essay of at least 400 words, a collection of photos, a video response (up to 90 seconds long), or something else from your Locker. If you choose to submit a collection of photos or if your video response does not include narration, please also include a short statement telling us what you hope we will learn from your submission.

Please respond to one of the following three prompts with a written response of at least 400 words.

• How do you interact with those around you? Tell us about a group you’re comfortable with and how you act or behave when you’re with them. This could be your family, a team, a class, a club, etc.
• How do you approach learning? Tell us about an experience with a learning process. This can be a description of a personal or academic project and the stages it involved. What did you discover?
• Our individual differences are what make us unique and can sometimes make us stand out. Write about a time when you were aware of your difference.  How did it impact you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

As you can see, the Who question above can be answered either in a relatively traditional way, or in a more creative and unusual way. Your options here are very broad, which can be either freeing or overwhelming. There’s no shaming in choosing to write a relatively standard essay if you feel that your writing skills are strong.

If you do choose to take the more creative route in answering this question, you’ll need to carefully consider what kind of submission will allow you to accurately represent yourself as a student and cast yourself in the best possible light. As a substitute for an essay, your response should take as much as or even more preparation than an essay. Just as you might have a tutor or teacher review your college essays before you submit them, if you’re submitting a creative response, it may be wise to ask a teacher or mentor to help you prepare this response.

The How question, on the other hand, provides a more straightforward choice of prompts. You might be able to tweak an essay you’re writing for another one of your college choices to fit this question, or to modify your essay based on this prompt for another school. For more advice on how to write your college application essays, check out the CollegeVine blog.

QuestBridge Application

In addition to the Common App and the Coalition App, certain students can apply to Pomona through the QuestBridge organization. QuestBridge is designed to assist students from low-income backgrounds navigate the college application process and gain equal access to some of the best colleges in the United States.

In order to apply to Pomona through QuestBridge, prospective students must first be eligible for the QuestBridge National College Match program, go through the application process for that program, and be named a Finalist. They will then have the assistance of the QuestBridge organization and its mentors in preparing their college applications.

For 2016, the deadline to apply to QuestBridge itself is September 27th, and students named Finalists will submit their applications to Pomona by November 1st. Interested students can learn more about the QuestBridge National College Match program, who is eligible, and how to apply on the QuestBridge website . You can read more about Pomona’s relationship with QuestBridge on the Pomona admissions website .

Interviewing for Pomona

Interviews, whether on-campus or off-campus, are highly recommended as part of the application process for all students applying to Pomona. These interviews are carried out by admissions officers and senior interviewers if on-campus, or alumni interviewers if off-campus. While not strictly required, the interview process allows Pomona to get to know you beyond what’s printed on your application.

If you’re able to visit Pomona’s campus, you’re welcome to register for an on-campus interview. In order to get an on-campus interview, you’ll need to register online on Pomona’s interview portal at least three weeks prior to your visit. You can also attend information sessions and tours while you’re there. Check out the Pomona website for the relevant deadlines for each admissions timeline.

If you’re not able to visit campus, you can request an off-campus interview, conducted in the area where you live by a Pomona alum and arranged for a time and place that are convenient for you. To request an interview, you’ll need to use Pomona’s online system for scheduling alumni interviews, which will open in September of 2016.

For international applicants who are not currently attending high school in the United States, the interview options are slightly different. Applicants who are planning to visit Pomona can certainly schedule on-campus interviews. Some international applicants may be be able to interview with Pomona alumni in their own areas of residence; these applicants will need to register using the alumni interview scheduling system, just as domestic students do.

However, there are many areas of the world where Pomona interviewers are not available. In these situations, Pomona recommends that applicants schedule an interview with a third-party interviewing service, such as InitialView or CIEE . Fees are associated with these services, but Pomona is able to provide fee waivers if necessary. Since these third-party interviewers are not employed by Pomona, they will not be able to answer specific questions you might have about Pomona, but they will be able to report back to the college with a more personal perspective on your qualifications.

For more advice about how to prepare for your college interviews, what to expect , and some dos and don’ts, check out the CollegeVine blog. 

Pomona Application Requirements

In addition to the Common App or Coalition App and its Pomona supplement , you’ll need to submit the following documents to be considered for admission:

• Application fee of $70, or an application fee waiver.
• Official transcript, sent by your school.
• School report and counselor recommendation, completed by your guidance counselor or other school official.
• Mid-Year Report, completed by your counselor, including your grades for the first term of your senior year of high school.
• Two letters of recommendation , completed by teachers of core academic subjects whose courses you took during your junior or senior years of high school.
• Official test scores for either the SAT or the ACT. The writing section on either test is recommended, but optional. Homeschooled applicants are also required to submit scores for four SAT II subject tests. (For other applicants, SAT IIs are optional.)
• Official test scores for either the TOEFL or the IELTS if you are an international student and were not taught primarily in English.
• Optional: official test scores from any other standardized tests, such as AP or IB exams.
• Optional: Pomona’s Arts and Science Supplement for students with significant achievements in the arts or in scientific research.

In addition, applicants who wish to apply for financial aid must submit their financial-aid applications by the appropriate deadlines. Students who apply through the QuestBridge program may have slightly different application procedures, and are encouraged to follow any instructions they receive from QuestBridge.

Hearing Back from Pomona

Pomona applicants using the ED 1 and ED 2 timelines will receive their admissions decisions by December 15th and February 15th, respectively. At this point, they’ll either be accepted, rejected, or deferred to the RD admissions round.

Since both of the ED timeline options are binding , applicants who are accepted under either of the ED timelines have already agreed to attend Pomona, and need only to confirm their attendance and submit their enrollment deposits. Applicants who are deferred under one of the ED timelines will be reconsidered with the pool of RD applicants. We’ll go over more about what deferral means for you below.

If you are rejected from Pomona in the ED 1 or ED 2 rounds, you may not reapply during the same application cycle. For example, if you were rejected in the ED 1 round, you would be not be allowed to apply  in the ED 2 or RD rounds. You may still have a chance to attend Pomona in the future, however, through the transfer application process.

Applicants under the RD timeline, along with any applicants who were deferred under either of the ED timelines, will receive their admissions decisions by April 1st. At this time, you may be accepted, rejected, or waitlisted. (We’ll go over what being waitlisted means for you below.) Applicants who are accepted to Pomona will need to make their college decision and inform Pomona of whether they intend to enroll by May 1st.  

If you’re accepted to Pomona, whether in the ED 1, ED 2, or RD round, you’ll need to submit a $500 enrollment fee in order to confirm your place in the matriculating class. If paying this fee would represent a hardship for your family, the admissions office may be able to arrange for a payment plan or a reduced fee. You’ll receive more information with your acceptance letter. 

Deferrals and the Waitlist at Wellesley

Applicants to Pomona who use either of the ED application timelines should be prepared for the possibility that they may be deferred. Deferred students are neither rejected nor accepted when ED offers of admission are made; rather, the admissions office elects to reconsider their applications later, with the larger pool of RD applications. Note that deferred ED 1 applicants will be deferred all the way to the RD round, not simply to the ED 2 round.

If you’re deferred from Pomona, either through the ED 1 process or the ED 2 process, you’re by no means out of the running for admission. Once you receive notification that you’ve been deferred, you’re welcome to write to the admissions office and reiterate your strong interest in attending Pomona. You can and should include evidence of any ways in which you’ve strengthened your profile as an applicant since you submitted your initial application, including higher grades, higher test scores, or new awards or honors you’ve received.

When RD admission decisions are released, some students are waitlisted, meaning that they are placed on a list of students who may be considered for admission, depending upon how many spaces become available in the matriculating class. If you’re waitlisted at Pomona, you can decide whether or not you would like to fill out a form to remain on the waitlist and be considered for potential future openings.

As with deferred students, if you’re waitlisted at Pomona, it’s a good idea to write to your admissions officer and confirm that you are still interested in attending Pomona if accepted. You can include a brief update about any new achievements or other items you’d like to share, but at this point, you shouldn’t submit any lengthy new documents. If you’re  selected for admission off the waitlist, you’ll be notified in early to mid-May.

For the class of 2020, Pomona ended up accepting 38 students from the waitlist, resulting in a waitlist acceptance rate of about 8%. Since the acceptance rate for waitlisted students is this low, you should definitely make plans to attend another college while waiting to hear back from Pomona, including submitting an enrollment deposit if necessary. If you’re accepted to Pomona off the waitlist, you’ll be able to “unenroll” at the other college, and Pomona reassures students that this is “a standard and accepted part of the admissions process” for those other schools.

Does Pomona sound like a great place for you to flourish as a college student? You can learn more about the school’s history, its programs, and life on campus by visiting Pomona’s website . Also, check out the website for the Claremont Colleges, where you can dig deeper into the opportunities and resources that this unique educational community offers.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to Pomona? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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