Admissions - Application Instructions for First-Year Candidates

Application Instructions for First-Year Candidates

Pomona College accepts applications for fall entrance. January 1 is the regular decision deadline and the deadline for all credentials other than senior year midterm grades. Mid-term grades are due by February 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 first-year 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 2015-16 academic year, please check the school website.)
2. Recommendations. Confidential reports, one from the secondary school principal or counselor and two from classroom teachers in core academic subjects (as defined in the section “Admission to First-Year Standing ”), are to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Pomona requires that the disciplinary questions on the Common Application Secondary School Report be answered fully - meaning either a “yes” or “no” answer to both of the questions. Leaving the questions blank or answering “School policy prevents me from responding” is not acceptable. We will be unable to release an admissions decision to the student without a completed disciplinary history from a school administrator.
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 ACT, Inc.) 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 file when he or she applies. Those living outside of Southern California may request an interview with an alumni volunteer. International students are encouraged to interview with Pomona alumni. As an alternative to requesting an alumni interview, applicants may arrange an interview with a private service that conducts and records interviews, such as InitialView, CIIE and Wake Forest Advantage. 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 or alumna.
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, and science research may be included with the application to be reviewed by faculty. Please use the system provided for supplements by the Common Application. Additional information about supplements can be found on the admissions website.  Follow the instructions in the application and use our Arts, Athletic or Science Supplement Forms located in the “Apply” section of our website.