Any suggestions ?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
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<p>I am looking into Pomona. I plan to major in Economics + Sociology/Anthropology. Can you guys chance me and give me some suggestions ?</p>

<p>9th grade GPA: 8.0/10 (it's considered A where I went to)</p>

<p>My GPA in sophomore year was 9.2/10</p>

<p>Junior year GPA: 4.0 (unweighted, my school does not have weighted GPA)
No ranking but I think I am in top 5%</p>

<p>Repeating junior year to fulfill graduation requirement at a really rigorous private school (I changed school this year due to visa problem, long story)</p>

<p>Grarde this year:
AP Cal BC: B
AP Physics C:Mechanics: B,
Spanish 1: A+,
English 11: A,
Biology: A,
Choir: A,
Wind Ensemble: A.</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
AP Lit
AP Physics C: E&M
AP Bio
Spanish IIe
China/Japan (fall) + Economics (spring) (both are history electives, should I trade these 2 for AP Euro ?)
Choir
Band</p>

<p>AP Cal AB score: 4 (Too bad)</p>

<p>SAT is 2100. SAT II will be Math II and Bio: hope will be 700 at least</p>

<p>Extra curricular:
Soccer team of class: 6,7,8,9,10
Soccer Varsity:grade 11
AFCVN soccer club: grade 10 ( cannot continue due to moving to US to study)
News translator for Arsenal Fan Club In Vietnam: grade 8,9,10,11
Tennis JV ( varsity is super competitive, ranked 7th in the country): grade 11</p>

<p>Choir:grade 11
Piano class:8 years
French horn: 1 years</p>

<p>Young leader club:grade 10 ( cannot continue due to moving school)
CATCH program:grade 11
FIRST Robotics: grade 11 (cannot continue due to moving school)
Community service club: grade 11
Community service trip to Costa Rica: grade 11 (Feb 2009)</p>

<p>Awards:
Semi-finalist of Cornell Essay contest: Grade 11
Best GPA at school : Grade 10
Best final exams record: Grade 10
First Prize at School's English Olympiad: Grade 10
Victoria scholarship: grade 10
High honor roll: grade 11
Best Physical project in Science Fair:grade 11
Highest honor in Chemistry:grade 11
High honor in Maths:grade 11
Nominated for National Honor Society: grade 11
Nominated for National Young Leader Conference: grade 11</p>

<p>Leadership: Head of School's Youth Union:Grade 10</p>

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<p>Any comments ?</p>

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<p>Looks good, try to get your SATs as high as possible and see if you are recruitable for tennis.</p>

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<p>NNS - one suggestion: do not think or talk about your SATs in one cumulative score. The schools don’t so you shouldn’t either. It might sound good but it doesn’t mean anything in the admissions process. The two that are important are math and critical reasoning. For Pomona, you’d ideally want both to be in the 720-800 range.</p>

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<p>I see. I got 700 on both reading and maths. I will try to raise math up a little bit. Do you think Pomona will lower the standard a little bit for international students ? I mean I always can try for 720 but I cannot guarantee it.</p>

<p>Any more suggestion ?</p>

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<p>^ if anything they might be more inclined to have higher standards… (as is the case for elite colleges and international admissions).</p>

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<p>So then, what is my chance at the moment ?</p>

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<p>You have a fair chance just like any other qualified applicant. However, being an international I think that you’re chances are harder than someone who resides in the U.S. But perhaps since Pomona lost 600 million dollars they will be looking for internationals who can pay the full sticker price. I just wouldn’t put money on it. No one really should since it’s Pomona…</p>

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<p>nns91, you have a reasonalble shot, but it is hard to put a % chance on it. One thing I notice from the various international students seeking to get “chanced” is a long, long list of ECs. In your case, I count 21 or 22 lines of EC activity. It is hard for me to tell who nns91 really is or what really “floats your boat” or gets you excited, other than the paper chase for creditials to get you into a “good college”. </p>

<p>You have your GPA, SATs and ECs, the only thing left now is your essays. I’d suggest you spend the next 5-6 months thinking hard about what you really love and what you really want out of the college experince. Let the admissions reader see who nns91 really is, beyond a kid that picks up ECs like a vaccum cleaner. Your numbers give you a reasonable shot, let your true self shine through.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much, that really helps a lot.</p>

<p>I mean that I have just listed my main ECs which are sports and music. They are probably the 2 main things that I do. The other thing is only community service.</p>

<p>I will focus on my essay.</p>

<p>I have an essay that just qualified as semi finalist for Cornell essay contest. I want to use it as my essay. Is it a good idea ?</p>

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<p>sorry to just jump into someone’s thread! but i’ve been reading posts in all of the claremont colleges for a while, and if harvey mudd is so big on leadership activities, then what exactly do they look for in a pomona applicant (besides the high SAT scores and such)?</p>

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<p>nns91 - You have all the qualifications for applying to Pomona, but nowadays, nothing can guarantee admission. Good luck!</p>

<p>xevonx - Welcome to CC! Pomona looks for breadth (strong academics, test scores, ECs, and recs) as well as depth (areas for which the applicant has a passion). There is no magic formula.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much !!! You’re correct that nothing can guarantee admission. I guess as long as I am in the “range” then I will have a fair shot.</p>