Admissions

Application Instructions for Freshman Candidates

Pomona College accepts applications for fall entrance. January 2nd is the regular decision deadline and the deadline for all credentials other than senior year midterm grades. Mid-term grades are due by Feb. 15. Each candidate is responsible for submitting all items on time. When the Office of Admissions receives the application and again when the application is complete, the candidate is notified.

Candidates for freshman admission will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision in early April.

The required credentials are:

1. Application. Includes a $70 non-refundable application fee, which covers a small portion of the cost of processing applications. If the fee is a financial hardship, it may be waived temporarily by written request of a counselor and permanently if the candidate’s financial aid application shows substantial need. (To verify fees and other application information for the 2014-15 academic year, please check www.pomona.edu.)
2. Recommendations. Confidential reports, one from the secondary school principal or counselor and at least two from classroom teachers in core academic subjects (as defined in the section “Admission to Freshman Standing ”), are to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. If the school uses its own counselor form, not the Common Application Secondary School Report form, the Pomona College Required School Report Supplement (a required counselor supplement) must be completed in full for the application to be evaluated.
3. Official Transcript of High School Record to Date. Candidates must file a transcript of work through the junior year and, as soon as grades are available, a transcript complete through the first semester or first trimester of the senior year. The school’s transcript form is satisfactory. It should include an interpretation of the grading system and a clear designation of honors, International Baccalaureate or Advanced Placement courses. The student must file transcripts for any college courses taken in high school. Admission offers are made with the provision that academic performance will continue to be as strong as it has been to date. A final transcript confirming graduation and good standing at the conclusion of the school year is also required.
4. Test Results. Official test-score reports sent directly from the testing agency are required for either the ACT (administered by the American College Testing Program) or the SAT and two SAT Subject Tests (administered by the College Board). Home-schooled students should submit four SAT Subject Tests. Please see the Home-Schooled Students  section.

Also suggested:

1. Interview: Interviews are very strongly recommended for all students, and students residing in Southern California are expected to interview on campus. An interview is an exchange of questions and information between the student and the interviewer, who may be an admissions staff member, a senior interviewer or an alumni volunteer. An interview gives the candidate an opportunity to learn first-hand how Pomona suits his or her interests. Notes of the interview are added to the student’s folder when he or she applies. Those living outside of Southern California may request an interview with an alumni volunteer. Candidates may begin interviewing on campus during the spring of their junior year. Early high school graduates are required to interview on campus. Home-schooled candidates are required to interview either on campus or with an alumnus.
2. Documentation of Special Talents: The Admissions Committee encourages students to submit evidence of their special talents. Recordings of musical composition or performance, video or résumés of theatre or dance background, photographs of artwork, athletic information and science research may be included with the application to be reviewed by faculty. Please follow the instructions in the application and use our Arts, Athletic or Science Supplement Forms located in the “Apply” section of our website: www.pomona.edu/admissions.