Does Pomona offer merit based scholarship, and if so, earlier application needed?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
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<li><p>Did I understand this correctly: From what's posted on Pomona's web site, it appears scholarship offers from Pomona are need based only?</p>

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<li><p>If there <em>are</em> merit based scholarships, does the school require the common application to be turned in earlier, by December 1st, for consideration for those scholarships? I've heard that some schools require this for their merit based scholarships.
Thanks in advance.</p></li>
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<p>Nope, the website states the truth. It is based on financial aid, so no need to worry about the merit-based scholarships. Rather, only apply early if you really want to go / Pomona is your #1 school</p>

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<p>how good is pomona for average gpa student and excellent exatracurricular activities
does pomona count only numbers???</p>

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<p>^if you’re talking about admissions, then no, Pomona does not count only numbers, this is why you have to write several essays when applying. Also I do not know what you mean by “how good is pomona for avg gpa…”. You mean how hard is it to get into?</p>

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<p>I think what mahesh meant was: What are the chances of admission for a student with an average GPA but outstanding extracurriculars?^</p>

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<p>What do you consider “average” GPA?<br>
Pomona looks at the whole student, but I do think they look for above average GPAs and test scores, as well as commitment to ECs.</p>

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<p>Pomona also looks at breadth and depth, i.e., students with a variety of interests (academics, athletics, ECs) but also the passion for some thing(s) in particular.</p>

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<p>Follow up: S got accepted yesterday. I now have the answer to my question for sure: NO, there appears to be no merit-based scholarship at Pomona (unlike for example, USC).</p>

<p>BTW, the annual estimated budget is a sobering 55k, but I would assume this is typical of all private college nowadays. We are very happy with the acceptance nevertheless and Pomona remains one of his/our very top choices.</p>

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<p>^??? He got his letter already? :frowning: I’m dying here waiting for my decision…</p>

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<p>It is true that there are no merit based scholarships. The are, however, a few small awards and prizes given to some Pomona students during their time there. These awards are not applied for. While none of these make much of a dent in the total Pomona bill they serve as a nice recognition of a student’s work both inside and outside of the classroom. For example a small award is given by the admissions department to a first year in memory of a long time admissions staff member. The free music lessons available to all Pomona students on any level of financial aid, and not just those in the music department, are funded by a scholarship fund. If you are in level 2 instruction this is worth over $1000 a year. Remember that outside merit scholarships are still available and my son was able to take advantage of these funds to reduce his expected contribution. As a aside this week Pomona celebrated tuition-free day to recognize the external contributions which make up the difference between the approximately $55000 student cost for Pomona and the $79000 Pomona says is the actual cost of a year there. Makes the $500 I paid in yearly fees for the University of California many years ago all the more remarkable.</p>