New Pomona Transfer Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
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<p>Hey everyone, I totally thought that I would never post on this website, but here I am.</p>

<p>I am currently a sophomore premed student at UC Berkeley, but Pomona has always been my dream school - I was waitlisted as a senior in high school and rejected last year as a freshman. I'm thinking about reapplying for one last time, as I don't see how it could hurt, right? </p>

<p>My last two applications thinking back were kind of weak - my senior year in high school I focused a lot on sports and too little on academics and even the application process, I was lucky to get into Cal as it is. My freshman year I didn't do great academically as I was adjusting to life in the states and didn't get as involved as I would have wanted. I think this year I've gotten a bit better, so does anyone think I even have a shot?</p>

<p>Major: Planning on English and doubling in Integrative Biology. (there's a lot of overlap between premed classes and the IB major at Berkeley, I'm looking at the Biology major at Pomona)</p>

<p>SATs: Math: 800 CR: 730 Writing: 720</p>

<p>GPA: First Sem: 3.5 (time of freshman application) Second Sem: 3.7 This Sem: Should be around 3.8-3.9</p>

<p>Recs: I know this will probably be really weak, but I'm getting two of my English TA's to write me recs. One of the classes didn't have a prof, and the other prof I didn't get to know that well - I got to know these TA's pretty well, so I feel like they would write me better recs... was that a mistake?</p>

<p>EC's: Over the summer back home I worked at an accounting firm crunching numbers, and also volunteered at a hospital for several hours a week. At Berkeley I've been volunteering at Oakland Children's Hospital for a few hours a week, playing for a men's club rugby team, and being part of the ski and snowboard club.</p>

<p>Reason: I want to transfer to Pomona first and foremost because it is such a great school for premed students, I've heard so many great things about the premed advising there and the relative ease of getting a research position. I also want to go there because one of the authors that inspired me to major in English this year used to teach there. And of course I love the small class sizes, approachability of professors, and the 5C system. Lastly, I would be lying if I didn't mention the current financial problems going on in the UC system - as an international student, I'm paying more for less than I would get at Pomona. Oh, and from the numerous visits I've made, the environment down there isn't too bad either :)</p>

<p>Wow, thanks so much for reading all that, I look forward to any responses!</p>

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<p>jkwong:</p>

<p>With term end and holidays, it’s probably an awkward time for anyone currently at Pomona to respond to your articulate questions.</p>

<p>Hang in there… Perhaps over the holidays?.. (they’re usually very happy to answer questions)</p>

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<p>Hey, I transferred into Pomona in Fall '08 as a sophomore. The past two years Pomona has accepted three people from Cal but all three of them have been varsity athletes (probably just a coincidence).</p>

<p>I think your GPA and scores are fairly competitive but if you’ve been rejected twice before it might be hard to get in, but it’s worth a shot. My only recommendation, and obviously the only thing you can control at this point, is to write a really good essay. Just try to show Admissions who you are as a person because everyone who gets in here as good scores, so I’ve always thought the essay is what really matters.</p>

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<p>Hey jwong,</p>

<p>I transferred this year from Cal, and I’m not a varsity athlete so it’s definitely possible! I would say you would have a competitive application from what you’ve provided, but I agree with MN that you really need to focus on your essays. Also, the two previous attempts count as good and bad since you’ve shown you are dedicated to Pomona, yet you have been waitlisted/rejected twice…but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get in, and if you believe Pomona is the place for you, you should apply! </p>

<p>Also, don’t worry about getting GSIs to write your recs, I had my GSIs do the same. They know you best and should be writing about you. </p>

<p>If you have any specific questions about the transfer process, especially from Cal to Pomona, let me know! Good luck!</p>