<p>"Is there a broader context in which we should consider your performance and involvements? Are there any external factors we should consider (e.g. family situation, work, sibling childcare responsibilities or other personal circumstances)?"</p>
<p>Now, I have a pretty solid application, save for the fact that my fresh and soph years I had virtually no EC's. But this was largely in part because I moved from a private catholic school, where there were only 20 kids in the entire grade and no real programs for anything besides band, to a public high school with almost 400 kids in the grade. It may sound weird but I had no idea there really were clubs I could join until the end of my sophomore year. So I've got a lot of EC's and leadership position junior-senior year, top 2% of my class, 2220 SAT's, good essays, and glowing recs... should I even bother mentioning it? I'm afraid it will seem like I'm just making excuses, so is it even a big deal with my other stats?</p>
<p>And does anyone have any idea on the expected length of the writing sample question "Although it may appear to the contrary, we do know that people have a life beyond what they do to get into college. Tell us about an experience you've had outside of your formal classroom and extracurricular activities that was just plain fun and why."? I know 'as much as you need, but not too long' but general ideas here? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot! Such short notice, but I just have fallen crazy in love with Pomona while finishing up my applications and wanna make sure everything is perfect.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Pomona forum! I’m a parent of a current student, and I think your hunch is probably correct - adding a disclaimer about lack of ec’s will seem like you’re making excuses. I think this question is meant to address things like grade dips, or someone who lacks the time or means to do any outside activity - because of family or work obligations, for example.</p>
<p>My D wrote a full page, single spaced for her “fun” essay. I don’t recall there being a limit, but I think it’s always good to keep it interesting and brief.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! I figured… good to know for sure, though.</p>
<p>I also just remembered something that’s been nagging me… A Pomona college rep. visited my high school, but at the time I was really unsure if I was even going to apply or not, and because the visit was during a double period AP Physics test I wouldn’t have been able to make up for a week, I decided to skip it. Will this significantly hurt my chances? I’m only applying RD and I’m afraid they will think I’m not terribly interested. But it’s just that I haven’t been able to visit any of my schools and I can’t make an ED decision without at least seeing what it’s like…</p>
<p>Sorry for this, I’m just freaking out a little as deadlines come up!</p>
<p>My D, a current Pomona freshman, did not show any particular interest in Pomona when she applied. She did have an alumna interview, but had not visited the college or any college fair. In fact if you asked her last December which school she thought she would attend, I don’t even think she would have said Pomona. (Admitted students weekend was the deal breaker for her). I wouldn’t worry about not attending your school’s college rep visit. I think Pomona is looking for a certain kind of person, just be yourself in your essays.</p>
<p>diminuendo, i have to disagree with the previous opinion on the additional info: yes, include this! i have a background in college admissions and reading/evaluating applications (not to Pomona, but to a similarly selective school), and this is exactly what the additional info is for. please explain the lack of ec’s in 9th and 10th. otherwise, someone scanning down your ec list is likely to think, “hmmm, wonder where the 9th and 10th ecs are? wonder why did this student wait so long to get involved outside the classroom?” And if you don’t TELL them why, they can’t know why. </p>
<p>THAT would be exactly how I would read the missing checkmarks for 9th and 10th. explain. you are NOT making excuses. i promise. :-)</p>
<p>Hmm… I was thinking, should I put it in the common app additional information section and not in the supplement? I’ve already submitted my app to other schools but I know you can make additional versions. Do colleges really look at that section? Considering most ask the same question in their supplements I’ve assumed they don’t, but maybe this would be safer?</p>