1940 SAT, 3.9 GPA - Can I get into Pomona?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

So Pomona College is my first choice school and I really want to go there.

My SAT score is:
680 critical reading
740 writing
520 Math

Okay, so I know my math score is pretty low, and I’m planning on taking the SATs for a third time in December. I spent 6 weeks with a math tutor this past spring, and there was little improvement with my math score, which was pretty devastating. I got into the Explore Bowdoin program at Bowdoin College, which is my other top choice school, and that has given me hope that when the rest of my application is considered, I stand a pretty good chance.

I’m involved in the human rights awareness club at my school, (rising Vice President of) Rotary Interact, National Honor Society (we organize a lot of community events at school,) I have written for the school newspaper, and I have volunteered at the veteran’s home, the local farm, and an animal shelter.

Unweighted, my gpa is a 93, and weighted it is a 94, which on 3.0 scale according to the Princeton Review is a 3.9 GPA. I also happen to be a strong writer who is spending a lot of time on my essay and supplemental essays. Getting in Explore made me feel better about my overall application and I think I stand a good chance but I want to know - is my SAT score too low for Pomona?

I’m applying to (as of now):

Pomona
Bowdoin
Occidental
Brown
Colby
Williams
Wesleyan
Syracuse
Fordham
University of Vermont

2

You are almost 150 pts below the 25% mark for SATs at Pomona, so it is a high reach for you. Brown, Wesleyan and Williams will be similar stories. Colby is a reach. Fordham and UVM are matches/likelies.
If you apply to Bowdoin, don’t submit your SAT score

3

Depends on how well you do on your next SAT, because if that score is good, then you stand a good chance at these schools.

4

Wesleyan is test optional and their avg GPA is a 3.9, so that may be possible.

5

Have you considered taking the ACT? Try taking a practice test to see how you score. You may have a significantly higher score (relative to SAT) on the ACT, as my son did.

Where are your interests, or what do you plan to study? Are you a URM? What state are you from? All of these factors will be considered, and are helpful to know. If you stick with the SAT, I would think you need closer to a 2100 for Pomona.

6

I don’t see any reasonable chance for Pomona, Williams and Brown.

7

Wesleyan is test-optional. Don’t submit and you have a chance there.
Also consider some other selective, but test-optional schools (e.g. Brandeis).

8

Thanks for all your helpful replies. I’ve revised my list a bit and it no longer includes Pomona, Williams, or Brown. I’ve also registered to take the SAT again in December.

BU
Bowdoin
Colby
Wesleyan
Emerson
Fordham
NYU
Syracuse
University of Vermont
Stony Brook University
Union College

9

Hi, to answer your questions:

  1. I plan to study English, PoliSci, and film studies. I want to be a journalist, work in publishing, in the entertainment/media industries, and/or for a nonprofit humanitarian organization, like Amnesty International. I plan on going into the Peace Corps at some point after graduation.
  2. I am a URM - Sierra Leonean and Moroccan
  3. I'm a New York resident

Also, I have considered the ACT, but my counselor told me that since the ACT is more math-based, it might be ill advised seeing as that was my worst section on the SAT. What do you think?