<p>This is my DREAM school but the chances are looking slim. I'm a junior though so there is still time... Anybody have any advice? </p>
<ul>
<li>I'm a white female from rural Virginia, attending a small private Christian school</li>
<li>SATs (took them sophomore year, hope to take them again) CR 660, M 700, W 750</li>
<li>GPA: (weighted) = 4.37 (unweighted) = 4.00</li>
<li>Class Rank = 1 (but keep in mind there are only 60 students in my class )</li>
</ul>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<p>-Private piano lessons (9th and 10th)
-Flute in Band/Orchestra (9th)
-Varsity Cross Country (9th, 10th, 11th and prob. 12th)
-Varsity Track (9th)
-Varsity Tennis (10th, prob 11th and 12th)
-Prelude music at church (around once a month)
-Precalculus Online (Summer 10th-11th)</p>
<p>Volunteering:
-CBF Tree planting (15 hrs)
-Gardening mentorship (20 hrs)
-Youth Corps (3 weeks; we were paid $500 but apparently its still volunteering...?)
-Making comforters for disaster relief (1 hr/week)</p>
<p>Awards:
-Suma cum laude-National Latin Exam (9th and 10th)</p>
<p>I know I need more, but what should I do?</p>
<p>Why do you think your chances are slim? You are not a slam dunk for admittance, but very few students will be. Take the SATs again. Get an SAT book to practice for the reading section. Or your local library may provide a free online practice course – ours does. Decide which SAT IIs you are going to take, and when. </p>
<p>Do you really enjoy any of your extra-curriculars? If there’s something you’d enjoy spending more time doing, do it! What are you going to do this summer? Either find yourself a summer job or a long-term volunteer gig – just something to make sure you stay busy and productive. If you have time to play around with possible Common App essays over the summer, that’s great. It will take some pressure off in the fall. Think now about which teachers you will ask to write your college recommendations, and who might be willing to read over your essays before you submit them. These are simple things that will help a lot when crunch time comes in the fall.</p>
<p>You’ve made a big step already by finding a school you love – now analyze what it is you love about Pomona, and see what other schools will make you happy. Would Scripps work for you? University of Puget Sound? Emory and Henry? University of Mary Washington?</p>
<p>You may have all of this figured out already, so I won’t go on longer. My main point is that there is probably nothing you can do specifically to help you get in to Pomona, other than getting to know enough about the school that you can be very specific in the supplement about what the school offers that you want. Sign up for the entrance exams you need, study for them, and try to find activities that allow you to become even more you. Have some fun. That’s it – and good luck!</p>
<p>Is there something specific you love? One thing? Focus on it if you do. Do something big this summer that makes an impact. Maybe help the community? Why do you love Pomona o much? Have you been there?</p>
<p>If Pomona is your first choice, how about trying to attend a college fair at which Pomona will be represented and then talk with the representative (who may be an admissions staff person or an alum)? You can also contact the Admissions Office to get more information. Should you be visiting colleges during spring break, you could schedule a tour and info session plus an interview. Finally, applying ED will definitely send the message that Pomona is #1 on your list. Otherwise, continue to do well in your studies, and as has been mentioned already, work on getting your CR score up. Still, the competition for admission is tough, so keep searching for other schools similar to Pomona that appeal to you. They’re out there!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Oh hey thanks guys! Didn’t see this until now, haha.</p>