How many people have done an interview? I’m worried that I’ll be penalized for not having one! :-<
@coconutproponent I think an applicant would really only be penalized if they live super close to Pomona but they didn’t reach out for an on-campus interview. If you live out of state, sometimes it’s hard to reach out to alumni interviewers and Pomona admission officers recognize that. So as long as you don’t live close to Pomona, I don’t think it would really penalize you!
hey everyone, I applied EDI to Pomona, class of 2020.
Stats:
-3.6 unweighted GPA (not my strongest point)
-a decent handful of APs (last year: European History, AB Calculus, Biology; this year: BC Calculus, AP English)
-34 composite on the ACT (my superscore is still a 34)
-extracurriculars: SMART Team, co-editor of my school newspaper, volunteer work at a elder care facility (where I conducted direct patient visits from time to time), Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra my freshman and soph. year, and other summer jobs, including coaching tennis at my local country club
I also had an interview with a Pomona alumni in my area (MKE) at a local coffee shop. We spoke for about an hour and ten minutes with fluid conversation.
I’m really hoping to get accepted into Pomona majoring in neuroscience (not exactly sure, but undergrads change).
I’m also from the Midwest area and attend an all-Catholic boys high school that has a pretty big name/alumni spread. I found out from my school college counselor that only one or two students applied to Pomona from my school in the past five years, which I think is a good sign.
Both of my parents are first-generation Korean immigrants, and I speak fluent English, survival Korean and German.
(adding my ethnicity because I know the high Asian population in CA can sometimes negatively impact Asian applicants.)
Can someone please give me some insight into my chances of acceptance, or just throw some words of comfort my way? I really appreciate it, thank you.
@haventstudied I think Pomona looks at your entire application and not just your grades so I think your EC’s or your interview could outweigh your GPA! It really depends on like the applicant pool for ED but I definitely think that you have a chance:) Also, if your essays/recs were good, I think that can add a lot of positive points to your application as well!
Also, aghh!! It’s almost December, which means it’s only at most 15 days before we get our decisions:((
@ravenclaws yeah, one of my biggest regrets of high school was not focusing enough on my GPA. but hopefully they will focus more on other aspects of my application, as you stated, as well as my interview. My interview went pretty well, with my interviewer and I exchanging several jokes and talking pretty constantly about things, even including the Protestant Reformation’s affect on the American colonies’ decision to break off from England (it was his thesis for college).
And yes, the date looms near, I’m really anxious! Pomona is my absolute number one and I’ll be disappointed if I don’t get in. Best of luck to both of us, and to all of those other EDI applicants!
What is everyone’s prediction about when the decisions will be released? Pomona’s website says “By December 15.” Last year, they were released on 12/12 (a Friday), so I’m wondering if they will be released this year on 12/11 (that same Friday) or if we will have to wait until that next week (12/14-12/15).
It sounds to me like it’s been a few days before the 15th for the past few years, so I’d say the 11th or 12th… I really hope so at least because the uncertainty is killing me 
Also, last year certain applicants were asked for their first quarter grades on the 9th, so I guess we might have that to look out for too
@reveur I heard they only asked some applicants for their first quarter grades? And I feel like they would come out before the 15th, most likely the 11th, because it’s been like that every year.
Yep, it was only certain applicants, and from the stalking (heh) I did on here, it seems like most of those who were asked for them ended up getting in.
i’m actually freaking out that we find out in less than two weeks…it’s the only thing i can think about
@mexicana2312 same!!! Tomorrow’s December 1st so it could be like 11 days till we get our decision agh
Hello, I just wanted to see what you all think my chances are.
GPA: 3.97 (One B first semester Junior english) unweighted; 4.36 weighted. Ranked 5 out 435 by weighted GPA.
Classes: Full IB diploma: IB French HL, IB Spanish HL, IB History of the Americas HL, IB English HL, IB Environmental Systems and societies SL, IB TOK, IB Math (Calculus) SL
Tests: 2160 super scored (weak spot) 800 CR, 740 W, 620 M (this makes me scared).
EC’s: 4 years Varsity cross country-our team was second in state.
I have a spent a summer abroad and a semester abroad in Spain and France respectively.
I have volunteered with several organizations helping the homeless in my city.
I play two musical instruments proficiently.
Had a good interview on campus with the admission officer who would read my application.
Other draws: Recruited for cross country and track-will run on team if accepted, spent a semester abroad my sophomore year
Other info: I’m white and jewish. I speak three languages fluently. Did not apply for financial aid.
Thanks, this is a scary time for all of us :\
@aecker Everything looks great except that 620M, which places you below the 25th percentile in math. Any bump from the coach should hopefully work strongly in your favor.
Thanks @golfcashoahu. It’s a holistic process, but this year will be so competitive. That said, I don’t think Pomona can fill its class with applicants who are perfect by every measure. Everybody has a blip or a fault. We’ll see I did get a coach recommendation put into my file so that should help
Who didn’t send in their SAT IIs? They don’t require them anymore so that shouldn’t be a problem-I think…
I feel like we are all doing the best thing we can––applying ED1. Pomona says that test scores are rarely the final decision point. http://www.pomona.edu/admissions-aid/admissions/first-year-admissions/testing-requirements/sat-and-act-test-reporting.
As for SAT II, I did not send any. I’m curious if others did. Since they’re not required (or formally recommended), I don’t think they matter that much. I think Pomona will care about fit, essays, and other things over optional standardized testing scores.
I agree @golfcashoahu I think SAT IIs could help an application, but lack of them won’t hinder it. I only sent one for a science (and my score is fairly meh anyway).
How did everyone feel about their CA essay and supplement? Took me until the last minute to write them but I think they might help me some (knocks on wood). Also, isn’t it so weird that a committee will be voting on us… Wish I could hear their discussion.
oy vay. I’m going to try an not think about college this week. If we don’t get in, so be it…
@aecker I didn’t send in my SAT II scores either! And I agree with @golfcashoahu. As long as you’re strong in all your other fields (which seems pretty apparent), I think you’ll be fine:) And haha difficult to not think about college when the results come out literally next week:(((
I heard questbridge results are already out for Columbia and possibly other ivies. Does this mean that Pomona might have an earlier decision release date??