<p>I'm an international student from Brazil and I sent an e-mail to Pomona explaining that I attend a small school that offers no extracurricular activities nor honors and they aswered: "Thank you for your email and your interest in Pomona College. Our admissions process is a holistic one, in which we do our best to take into account the limitations and opportunities of each individual school from which our students apply. The admissions officer who reads your application, should you choose to apply, will know your school and what it offers, so you will not be at a disadvantage when compared to applicants from other schools that may offer more in terms of extracurriculars. We still look for evidence that you have challenged yourself and have made the most of the opportunities available to you, but we do read you within the context of your particular circumstances. As you note, the competition for international student financial aid is quite keen, so it is up to you decide if you want to apply. "</p>
<p>Do you think I should still apply? There's no such thing as GPA here in Brazil and my ACT is 32. I also need a great amount of financial aid (full ride) and I know they're need-aware for internationals. What do you think?</p>
<p>What's the social life like? Are there any good clubs nearby? Would you label Pomona as conservative or liberal? Thanx!</p>
<p>You need to provide a lot more info to get guidance. Are you an underrepresented minority? What are your grades like? What do you do when you’re not in school? What are your interests/ambitions? Work experience? Volunteer experience? Particular hardships that had to be overcome?</p>
<p>Pomona’s student body swings left politically, and I’ve heard current students complain about the extreme-political correctness at Pomona. At the same time, it is generally reputed to be a place where there is free expression of all political and social viewpoints without return abuse, intimidation and insults coming from predominantly leftist student body, as you do, reportedly, at certain colleges in the Northeast US. The college guidebook, “Choosing the Right College”-- which is compiled by a conservative think-tank-- gives Pomona a “green light”, especially for President Oxtoby’s maintaining Pomona as a place where all viewpoints can be expressed and discussed intelligently and respectfully. I don’t know if this encourages you or discourages you from applying to Pomona. If you want to go to a school where non-politically correct expression is proactively suppressed with name-calling and abuse, then, reputedly, think about applying to Bryn Mawr or Mount Holyoke.</p>
<p>I’m brazilian(born and raised), does that make me a URM? My grade average is 9(on a 0-10 scale). I already finished high school, I’m working now.</p>
<p>I think its difficult for internationals to get a full ride (which they stated in their reply).</p>
<p>URM is a term for US citizens who are an underrepresented minority. You will be considered an international. How long has it been since your high school graduation?</p>
<p>I graduated in december (here in Brazil we start school in feb and finish in dec) 2007. Is that a problem? I know I have to write an essay about it. right?</p>
<p>So, what do you guys think? Should I still apply?</p>
<p>rfsmolina, why not? If it’s important to you, then apply. Good luck!</p>
<p>rfsmolina, I would still encourage you to apply- it doesn’t hurt to try.</p>