Admissions

International Students

An International Applicant FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) webpage is available in the Admissions section of the Pomona College website. The College welcomes cultural and linguistic diversity but has no English as a Second Language or other remedial programs for non-English-speaking foreign students. Additionally, a PDF of our international student information sheet is available by request. The application deadlines are the same for students studying in and outside the United States. Financial aid for international students is limited, although every admitted student applying for financial aid at the time they submit their application will have 100% of their demonstrated need met. In the past few years, 40-45% of incoming international students have received need-based financial aid. International students who need financial aid also may apply for transfer admission.

English Language Assessment

Students who have attended a secondary school where English is not the primary language of instruction must submit either official or self-reported results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with their application materials. We accept the following versions of the TOEFL exam: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution. The minimum scores for admission are 100 (TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition), 627 (TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solutions), or 7 on the IELTS. There are no minimum requirements for sub-scores. While applicants may self-report scores, all enrolling students will be required to submit an official score report, and any discrepancies between self-reported and official test scores may jeopardize a student’s offer of admission. Duolingo, Vericant or InitialView interviews are considered optional supplements to an application and do not serve as substitutes for the required TOEFL or IELTS tests for applicants whose primary language of instruction is not English. If providing TOEFL or IELTS scores presents a hardship, please contact the Office of Admissions for possible alternatives.

The College will not use the results of the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as a placement exam.