I need some advice...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
1

<p>So I'm a junior currently and I'm starting to lean toward applying to Pomona early, and I need help to see if it's a good idea or if I should just do regular, and also what my chances are...</p>

<p>Generic:
Race: White
Sex: Male
Grade: Class of 2010
Region: New England
School: public school, usually sends about 5-10 or so to Ivies or equivalents</p>

<p>Academic:
Class Rank: Top 5% (we're not told specific rank, only which 5% increment we're in).
GPA UW: 3.942 (3.93 9th, 3.9 10th, 4.0 11th)
GPA W: Have not been told, but probably around 4.3-4.4
SAT I: 790 CR, 690 M, 790 W, 2270 T
SAT IIs: (I am retaking lit and will take math and french, but as of now): 790 US History, 730 Literature
APs: None offered 9-10; 11: US history, English literature and composition, french language and composition
Senior Course Load: AP French Lit, AP Expos, AP Art History, AP Bio, Calc, Honors Strings</p>

<p>Awards:
NHS
NFHS
Latin Exam-magna cum laude-9
French Exam: 9th in US-9; 10th in US-10; 5th in US-11
PSAT--atleast commended, results pending
Citizenship award
Nominated for National Council of Teachers of English Achievement (NCTE) Award in Writing -11
published author in literary magazine</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Cross Country (10-Present)
Indoor Track (10-Present):Captain 12
Outdoor Track (9-Present)
Student Government (9-Present)
Class Council (9-Present): Secretary 9, 10
Principal's Committee (9-Present): Co-Chair 10, Chair 11
Literary Magazine (10-Present): Editor
Cello: many years, in concerts and recitals
TV Quiz Show-11, captain 12
marine bio course in bermuda-9
taking college credit courses this summer at Yale
about 600 hrs of volunteering among religious school, hospital, and habitat for humanity</p>

<p>Other:
I'm a pretty strong writer, so I believe my essays will be a big plus
I have a job at a publishing house </p>

<p>so...
a) what are my chances early and is it a plus that im from NE applying to California?
b) how can i improve my chances?
c) any other comments?
i would really appreciate any feedback and thank you very much in advance</p>

2

<p>Excellent chances early. What are your times for track? Getting recruited would certainly improve your chances.</p>

3

<p>there’s a really really small chance that i would have been recruited b/c end of indoor i was running 10:30 2mile and i had just kept dropping time but i got injured and it stayed around until midway through outdoor and now I’m nowhere near what I was so i doubt id get recruited</p>

4

<p>bump…anybody have any comments? anything at all would be appreciated =)</p>

5

<p>You have stats similar to mine, and I am also from the East Coast (NY) only i was a questbridge scholar, but I dont know if that had much to do with the admissions decision honestly… However, I think you have a good shot early, especially if you can pay full price.</p>

6

<p>Get the math up though, Pomona stresses the 1600 much more than the 2400</p>

7

<p>I think applying early makes sense, and based on what you’ve written here, your chances should be reasonably good.</p>

<p>You can’t psych yourself out about too many of the nuances. Being from NE could perhaps give you a bit of a bump, but I’d bet that it is not a quantifiable margin. You sound like a very accomplished student. Just work on doing the things that you enjoy and put in your application. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>anonymous1-would you really suggest i take it again?? i know colleges say that they only take your best scores, but there has to be some bias if one score goes up at the cost of your other two…i feel like if i took it again my c.r and writing could only go down and it’s questionable if my math would even go up…</p>

9

<p>Take it again. Unless you’re from a disadvantaged background, which you’re not, the elite schools have factored into their calculation that students are all taking the SATs two or three times. It doesn’t prejudice the schools against you to have done so. It is true that the only thing that’s not a lock in your transcript is the math score.</p>

10

<p>Take it again, focus on math while at the same time keeping your CR and W up. Your cr and w dont have to be as good, but make sure its still 730+. However, if you really dont want to take it over again, 690 isn’t horrible, and you still have a reasonably good chance. If you get that math up though, I think your chances will be boosted significantly.</p>

11

<p>i got back my math 1 sat 2 score today and it was a 740…

  1. does this take pressure off of the 690?
  2. should i still take the SAT 1 again? it just seems like a waste of time when i hsould be focusing on my essays</p>
12

<p>I think this test does help you cover up your SAT math, and if you really feel that you would expend too much time and energy for a minimal gain on SAT math, then just forget it, and focus on your essays.</p>

13

<p>k thanks a lot anonymous</p>

14

<p>A lot of kids from NE apply to and are accepted at Pomona. In fact, the next largest segment to California comes from the NE area. You have all the necessary reqs; however, admissions nowadays is more of a game of chance. If Pomona is your number one choice, then I would encourage you to apply ED.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

15

<p>axc: Little Mother has seen four years of admissions results on this board and always has good advice. If your family can handle the tuition and Pomona truly is your first choice, do apply ED. I would also recommend scheduling a visit early this fall. If you can do this, call to make an interview appointment first. These get filled up fast. When you have that set, see if you can line up a time to meet with and (if you can bring your cello) play for the orchestra conductor. The orchestra is quite good and a good cellist would always be welcome. Also, line up meetings with the track and cross country coaches if you are still thinking you would like to compete. These are people who can give you a different perspective on life at Pomona. This is Div III and while competitive it is possible to be involved in a sport and an ensemble.</p>

<p>Email a couple professors ahead to ask permission to visit their classes. Our son especially enjoyed visiting a Critical Inquiry class on Tuesday or Thursday at 11am. You can send your parents to the info session to take notes as they are at the same time. </p>

<p>If you do not visit, make sure you have email contact with the music and track people and send a music resume and CD of your cello playing with your application. This serves to verify your involvement in these EC’s and demonstrates your commitment to continue them in college. LAC’s want kids who are going to contribute to their school organizations. You appear to be a student who can do that so make sure that comes across in your application package. Music, sports and science are three areas where a special supplement is encouraged so you can demonstrate these areas of potential contribution.</p>

<p>As you have seen on this board, requisite grades and scores are necessary but not the whole story. You have a good chance to get in if you use your strengths to mitigate some of the " chance" in the process. </p>

<p>Good luck and please make sure you find a desirable safety.</p>