Admissions

Application Instructions for First-Year Candidates

Pomona College accepts applications for fall entrance only. January 8 is the regular decision deadline and the deadline for all credentials other than senior-year midterm grades. Midterm grades are due by February 15. Candidates are responsible for submitting all items on time and are given access to an online portal where they can check on the completion and status of their application. Regular decision candidates for first-year admission will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decisions by April 1.

The required credentials are:

1. Application fee or fee waiver. There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $70 that covers a small portion of the costs of processing applications. However, we understand that this application fee may present a financial hardship for some applicants. If you plan to apply for financial aid, and the application fee presents a hardship for you or your family, please complete the Pomona Access Form at https://admissions.pomona.edu/register/pomona-access-pass. Upon completion of this form, the $70 application fee will be waived without requiring additional documentation. 
2. Application. Pomona accepts the Coalition Application, the Common Application and the QuestBridge Application.
3. School Report and Counselor Recommendation. These should be submitted by the student’s counselor. Applicants are not disadvantaged in the admissions process if they attend a large high school, and the counselor is not able to provide a highly personalized recommendation. This is one aspect of our holistic admissions review, and we do not expect every student to provide a detailed counselor recommendation.
4. Two Letters of Recommendation. Confidential evaluations from two classroom teachers in core academic subjects (English, languages, math, science or social sciences) should be uploaded as part of the application or emailed directly to the Office of Admissions. Optionally, a recommendation from a teacher of an elective subject (music, art, journalism, etc.), or by a coach, employer or other individual who can speak to the applicant’s skills or special qualities may serve as an additional recommendation.
5. Official Transcript(s) of High School Record to Date. Official transcripts of all academic work through the junior year and, as soon as grades are available, a transcript complete through the first semester or trimester of the senior year must be submitted by the applicant’s counselor or other school official. Each transcript should include an interpretation of the grading system and a clear designation of honors, International Baccalaureate or Advanced Placement courses. If transcripts are not in English, the applicant will need to provide official English translations. Transcripts for any college courses taken in high school may be required upon admission if these courses and grades are not on the high school transcript. Admission offers are made with the provision that the applicant’s academic performance continues to be as strong after the offer of admission as it was upon admission. A final transcript confirming graduation and good standing at the conclusion of the school year is required for enrollment.
   Title IV Compliance Statement: The Pomona College Office of Admissions will confirm all final transcripts arrive from a high school with a CEEB code, as well as the high school seal and/or signature. If a final transcript arrives from a high school that lacks a CEEB code or seal/signature, the Office of Admissions will investigate to confirm that the school is recognized by the relevant state Department of Education or home school association. In some cases the Office of Admissions may request a copy of the student’s diploma, GED certificate or homeschooling certificate the summer prior to enrollment in order to comply with Federal Student Aid regulations.
6. Mid-Year Report. Counselors should submit this form by Feb. 15, along with an updated transcript containing the applicant’s most recent senior-year grades (typically, first-semester grades).

Optional:

1. Standardized Test Scores. Results of either the SAT Reasoning (administered by the College Board) or ACT (administered by ACT, Inc.) tests are optional for applicants through fall 2024 entry. Under this four-year policy, students may choose whether or not to self-report test scores on their applications. If questioning whether to self-report test scores, 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. For those who elect to self-report them, test scores will be reviewed holistically, in the context of other application materials and indicators of academic ability and promise, and an official score report will be required upon admission. If there is a discrepancy between self-reported scores and official scores, the offer of admission may be withdrawn. In the absence of standardized test scores, the Office of Admissions will continue to place emphasis on academic achievement, leadership and extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. Applicants who do not include test scores with their applications will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process.
2. Interviews. Seniors may request an off-campus interview beginning in late August. They are offered up to December 1. We do not track demonstrated interest in the application process, so interviews are entirely optional. To schedule an alumni interview, please register online at least three weeks in advance advance at https://www.pomona.edu/admissions/apply/how-apply. Please be aware that we cannot fulfill every interview request. International applicants may interview with an alumni interviewer or a private service. Third-party interviews are not conducted by Pomona staff or alumni, so, unfortunately, the interviewer cannot answer specific questions about Pomona College. Since there may be a cost involved for third-party interview services, interviews are not required. Fee waivers are also available by contacting admissions@pomona.edu. We accept interviews through InitialView and Duolingo. The Duolingo English Test combines an English proficiency test with a video interview and can be completed any time and place where web access is available. 
3. Arts Supplements. The Admissions Committee encourages students with special talents in the area of dance, music, theatre or visual art to submit evidence of their experience through an arts supplement. Additional information about arts supplements can be found at https://www.pomona.edu/admissions/apply/how-apply/supplements.