Paths to Apply

If Pomona is your absolute first-choice college, an Early Decision (ED) application may be your best option. Both ED I and ED II applicants are evaluated in the same way; the only difference is that ED II has a later calendar date (allowing applicants, for instance, to show more of their senior year grades and to take an additional round of standardized testing). While ED applicants are free to simultaneously apply to other colleges through non-binding, unrestricted admission plans (including Early Action), if admitted to Pomona through Early Decision, you unconditionally agree to attend Pomona College if you're accepted, and agree to withdraw all other applications.

Most students apply and are admitted to Pomona through the Regular Decision option. This means you may apply to as many or as few colleges as you choose, and you’ll receive admissions decisions around the same time—by April 1. You can then compare the offers of admission and financial aid and make your final decision of where to enroll.

All individuals who complete the College’s application requirements for admission will be notified of a decision by the Office of Admissions. Decision notifications are limited to: admission, non-admission (or “deny”), placement on a waiting list, or the withdrawal of an application by the applicant or the institution. Pomona College considers all applicants who submit 1) an application (via the Common Application, Apply Coalition on Scoir, or QuestBridge) and 2) a transcript (official, unofficial or self-reported) to be eligible for a committee review and eligible for a decision. The Office of Admissions will notify students of any missing application components a minimum of twice prior to engaging in committee review for a given applicant. Applicants also have access to a self-service application portal to ensure application components are received. We reserve the right to request additional documents as appropriate during the review and decision-making process, but documents beyond the application and transcript are not required to receive a decision from the Admissions Committee. However, if conditionally admitted, final official transcripts are required to enroll at Pomona College.

There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $80. 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 Pass form. 

Upon completion of this form, the $80 application fee will be waived without requiring additional documentation. Questions? Please email our office at admissions@551827.com.

For most students, this means asking your high school counselor to electronically submit your official transcript(s) with grades through your junior year. Transcripts also may be submitted through Parchment. Transcripts sent by students are not considered official.

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.

Guidance on California AB 104: Pomona College will accept for admissions purposes transcripts from California students who elect or authorize changes to their transcripts as allowed by California Assembly Bill 104, namely changing letter grade(s) to Pass or No Pass grade(s). 

A primary aim of our holistic admission review process is to look for evidence of applicants’ academic aptitude and readiness for Pomona through an assessment of recommendations, rigor of the curriculum, course choices, and grades. We will assess what is provided on all applicants’ transcripts using the same review process and standards. Prior to exercising this option afforded by California Assembly Bill 104, students are encouraged to speak with a school counselor or their school principal to ensure they are fully aware of all options before electing to have the grades replaced.

These should be submitted by your high school counselor. Be assured that you are not disadvantaged in the admissions process if you attend a large high school, and your 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. We also no longer require that school counselors answer a question about applicants' disciplinary history.

Your counselor should submit this form by Feb. 15 along with an updated transcript containing your most recent senior-year grades (typically, first-semester grades).

These should be written by teachers of core academic subject areas: English, foreign languages, math, science or social sciences. We prefer letters from teachers who know you well. 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 your skills or special qualities may serve as an additional recommendation.

If you are applying from a school where English is not the primary language of instruction, you must also submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Duolingo English Test. Official score reports may be sent, or students may self-report their scores on their applications. All enrolling students are 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. For more information, please see our International FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). 

The Pomona-specific essay prompts for those applying for Fall 2024 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.

(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.
• What item are you excited to bring with you to college?
• Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world?

(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?
• Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?
• What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?

Pomona College is test optional. SAT or ACT scores are not required to apply but students may choose to self-report them on their application. Pomona College will accept scores from the SAT or any version of the ACT.

How do I choose whether or not to include my test scores as part of my application?

Practically speaking, applicants will be asked on the application if they choose to submit test scores. If a student answers “no,” that is all they need to do. 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. If they fail to provide scores after receiving instructions and reminders, the test scores will be considered a missing application item and could result in the application being incomplete and not reviewed.

If a student who answered “yes” later changes their mind about submitting scores, they can let us know before a stated deadline, and the scores will no longer be considered. Only self-reported scores are required for those choosing to submit scores. Official score reports are only for those who are admitted and enroll at Pomona and who self-reported scores for their application. Discrepancies between self-reported and official scores may jeopardize a student’s offer of admission.

Philosophically speaking, 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. Test scores are one factor among many– grades, curriculum rigor, recommendations and essay–that are considered in the application review process to assess academic preparation for Pomona.

What if my scores have already been sent from a testing agency or are included on my transcripts?

If you choose not to include test scores as part of your application, your test scores will not be considered in the evaluation process even if we receive your scores from a testing agency or if they appear on your transcript.

How are test scores used in the admissions process?

Good question! Test scores have always been one factor—and far from the most important one—that we have used to assess applicants’ academic preparation. Do high test scores guarantee admission? No. Are those admitted to Pomona strong students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm, good grades, appropriate rigor and broad preparation across academic disciplines? Yes.

For those who elect to report them, test scores will be reviewed holistically, in the context of other application materials as indicators of academic ability and promise. In the review process, 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. Academic preparation is necessary for admission, but most of our applicants demonstrate academic preparation. We are also evaluating what and how students will contribute to Pomona, their talents, their qualities (like grit, creativity, leadership, kindness, innovation, etc.) and their potential.

I still have questions: who can I talk to about this test-optional policy?

We invite you to contact your admissions counselor or to contact us at (909) 621-8134 or admissions@551827.com with any questions about admissions or financial aid.

If you have a special talent or wish to submit additional information about yourself in the area of dance, music, or theatre, we encourage you to submit a supplement after you apply to Pomona. You will be able to do so through your applicant portal. More detailed information can be found on the Supplements page.

The application to Pomona College will no longer contain questions about disciplinary or criminal history. The Admissions Committee will make all decisions on candidates for admission without knowledge of disciplinary or criminal history.

Prior to enrollment, students will be required to answer the following questions regarding disciplinary history:

Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution you have attended from the 9th grade (or the international equivalent) forward, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in a disciplinary action? If Yes, please explain below.

If you are uncertain about the status of your school disciplinary or conduct record, you may wish to consult your school counselor or another school official prior to responding.

Prior to enrollment, students also will be required to answer the following question regarding criminal history:

Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime?

Those depositing students who check yes will be sent a request to provide context and background information about their affirmative answer. This information will be reviewed by a special committee within two weeks of the receipt of the information.

A review committee that includes Pomona College admissions officers, staff, and faculty will convene to review the affirmative responses from enrolling students to the disciplinary and criminal history questions and determine whether a past disciplinary or criminal offense justifies a revocation of the College’s offer of admission. This Committee is responsible for making the final determination about admission. Candidates will be notified of the Committee’s decision before being permitted to complete the enrollment process.

If you have any questions regarding these policies please contact Adam Sapp, Assistant Vice President for Admissions, (909) 621-8134.