hi guys. so a couple hours ago, I found out that I got deferred. which was heartbreaking but I wanted to post a discussion to ask if anyone knows how Pomona deals with early decision deferrals? because I know a lot of school defer like 70% of early applicants who weren’t admitted, meaning a deferral is pretty much a rejection (unless you are very, very lucky). so if that’s the case, I really want to try to focus on falling in love with other schools (because at this point, I don’t know if I can wait another 4 months just to get another rejection letter). so any statistical data on around how many ED applicants are deferred each year and how many of them actually get admitted through RD would be very helpful.
also, does anyone have any advice for me on how to strengthen my application? I am struggling on this one, because I really feel that I did everything I possibly could. I did an interview with an admissions officer, submitted a 3rd recommendation letter, submitted an art portfolio. I really did pour my heart and soul into this application. the only thing I can think of that may strengthen it is my first semester grades, as my GPA is the best it’s ever been throughout my entire high school career.
thanks in advance, and congratulations to all of you who got accepted!
@brookemitchell (and others who were deferred) I haven’t seen any hard numbers, but unless they’ve changed their policy in the couple of years since I heard an AO discuss it, Pomona is different from many other colleges in that it does not like to string along their ED applicants. He said if someone is deferred, the committee saw something in her/his application that really interested them, and they would like the opportunity to see how the applicant continues to develop during their senior year. So yes, definitely continue exploring other colleges and go write some more awesome essays, but also know that you are on Pomona’s radar. Keep up your grades and continue following the interests and passions that have brought you this far (remember that your senior year should be more than just being an applicant). Of course, also follow any recommendations they make about keeping your AO up to date on your achievements.
I was deferred EDI last year and was later accepted.
My guidance counselor called and he told me Pomona deferred 8% of applicants—it’s the smallest pool (~75% rejected, ~17% accepted, ~8% deferred). So, Pomona is definitely more like Stanford rather than Ivies in the sense that it only defers those who have a realistic chance.
Here’s what I did and my advice to you and the rest of the deferrals:
You need to find out if there was anything unusual about the ED pool (huge rise in applicants, etc.) I strongly recommend having your guidance counselor, mid-next week, call the Admissions Office and ask this specific question as well as gain insight into your application. For me, Pomona told my guidance counselor that ED1 applications were up over 25% (this is a good sign) and that they wanted more insight into how I help others in the classroom and something else that I forget. This might be generic stuff they tell everyone, but it doesn't hurt.
Send a handwritten, USPS note to your admissions officer. Not an email. Mail this out early next week, with approval from your guidance counselor and family, so that Pomona receives it that week. In the note, reaffirm your high level of interest and that Pomona is still your #1. Pomona will keep this note in your application file. (Others may say to write an email. While this may be acceptable, I see no downsides to a handwritten note and from personal experience it definitely seemed worth it.)
Have strong senior grades, hopefully with challenging courses. Any sort of GPA slippage or a light schedule will not bode well. Along the same lines, if test scores were relatively weak (SAT sections below 700 or ACT below 32), absolutely retake. Add subject tests if necessary.
In late-February, email a deferral letter. One page. Explain a) Pomona is #1 and will commit if accepted b) give specific reasons you want to be at Pomona c) highlight any NEW and SUBSTANTIAL activities since you applied (winning a competition, etc.)
Sending an additional teacher recommendation is compeletely optional. Personally, I did not, and there's isn't really a reason to unless one of your 12th grade teachers really knows you well and can offer a new perspective.
Consider reaching out to a Pomona professor in an area you're interested in (I think this step is important and often overlooked). If it's art, consider submitting an art supplement if you did not already. If it's sciences or social sciences, find a professor with similar research interests and email them. The best thing is if you have a formal research paper you've written, or an idea for future research, and contact the professor. Explain that you're a Pomona applicant and very interested in their work. State how you would like to do research with them, or have them look at a paper you've written and comment/see if they interested in doing more research. Nothing like having a professor supporting you. A quick note in your application from a professor would greatly help a deferral. By doing this step, you can also mention this specific professor in your deferral letter from step 4.
Consider adding another course for your second semester or taking an online course in your area of interest. Something like Coursera, etc.
I also set up a phone conversation with my admissions officer in January. I reaffirmed my enthusiasm for Pomona and it allows the admissions officer to start really remembering you.
The overall theme is to BE PERSISTENT! If you do nothing, chances are, I'm afraid, you won't get in. You want to be a POLITE PEST.
@golfcashoahu are the test scores you mention above ok to not retake if the superscore is over 32? I personally have a 34 superscore and I know Pomona superscores, so they’ll count that as my score, right?