***Official Pomona College Class of 2021 ED/EDII/RD Results Thread***

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
1

Just realized that no results thread has been created for the class of 2021. Good luck to everyone and congrats to those already accepted!

Remove spaces in brackets before posting

Choose one:
[ size=4][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted **[/color][/size]
[ size=4][ color=orange][ b]Decision: Deferred **[/color][/size]
[ size=4][ color=red][ b]Decision: Rejected **[/color][/size]

[ color=red] b**[/color]

[ b]Objective:**
[ list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown):
[ *] ACT (breakdown):
[ *] SAT II:
[ *] Unweighted GPA:
[ *] Weighted GPA:
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load:
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
[/list]

[ b]Subjective:**
[ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
[ *] Job/Work Experience:
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:
[ *] Summer Activities:
[ *] Essays:
[ *] Teacher Recommendation:
[ *] Counselor Rec:
[ *] Additional Rec:
[ *] Interview:
[ *] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.):
[/list]

[ b]Other**
[ list]
[ *] Applied for Financial Aid?:
[ *] State (if domestic applicant):
[ *] Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type:
[ *] Ethnicity:
[ *] Gender:
[ *] Income Bracket:
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
[/list]

[ b]Reflection**
[ list]
[ *] Strengths:
[ *] Weaknesses:
[ *] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
[ *] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
[/list]

[ b]General Comments: **

2

If you’ve been waitlisted simply change the word “Deferred” to “Waitlisted.”

3

Still awaiting the first brave soul to post for c/o 2021 :smiley:

4

@dbear33 you should do it!!

5

[ size=4][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted **[/color][/size]

[ color=red] b**[/color]

[ b]Objective:**
[ list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown):
[ *] ACT (breakdown): 33c (34 E, 34 M, 29 R, 33 S, 25 Writing)

[ *] SAT II:
[ *] Unweighted GPA: 3.95
[ *] Weighted GPA: 5.09
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): No ranks, but probably top 10%
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis): Microeconomics (4), US History (5), English Lang (5), Chemistry (4)
[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load: H Computer Science I, AP Statistics, AP Human Geography, AP French, AP Calculus BC, H World Literature, AP Biology
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Questbridge Finalist, Illinois State Scholar (ISAC), AP Scholar with Honor
[/list]

[ b]Subjective:**
[ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Key club, varsity tennis, varsity diving, varsity table tennis, Asian club, table tennis club (vice-president), Hawaiian dance, French honor society
[ *] Job/Work Experience: None
[ *] Volunteer/Community service: Not much, like 50 hours total (keyclub, library volunteering)
[ *] Summer Activities: Volunteering at local library, babysitting
[ *] Essays: Questbridge essay: 8/10. Wasn’t too creative in style or content, but it was very honest and genuine. Didn’t submit supplement or common app.
[ *] Teacher Recommendation: Didn’t read, probably generic but they liked me
[ *] Counselor Rec: Probably generic, even though he is my tennis coach
[ *] Additional Rec: Didn’t have
[ *] Interview: Not contacted
[ *] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): Didn’t have
[/list]

[ b]Other**
[ list]
[ *] Applied for Financial Aid?:
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): IL
[ *] Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type: Small Public (1000 kids)
[ *] Ethnicity: Asian
[ *] Gender: Male
[ *] Income Bracket: 15k
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first generation to attend college in U.S., academically successful low-income student
[/list]

[ b]Reflection**
[ list]
[ *] Strengths: ACT score (maybe?), GPA, senior courseload, EC’s (idk about this since I didn’t have a lot of leadership positions)
[ *] Weaknesses: Essays (could have been better), recs
[ *] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Hooks
[ *] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Withdrew applications
[/list]

[ b]General Comments: ** Soooo I guess I’ll be the first post lol. I remember being really nervous for December 1st, lurking on college confidential and reading these results threads. Just remember that your numbers don’t define you. Have hope and if you worked hard, you will get into a great school. Glad this process is over and I can’t wait for this fall. Goodluck to all applicants, hope to see you on campus!

6

**Decision: Accepted **

ED 1

Objective:

[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take
[] ACT (breakdown): 34C (36R, 35E, 33M, 33S, 33E+W)
[] SAT II: 770 Math II, 770 French with Listening
[] Unweighted GPA: 4.0 (97ish average)
[] Weighted GPA: School doesn’t do weighted
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Does not rank
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Psych (5), AP Human Geo (5)
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Macroeconomics, AP Lang, AP French, AP Calc AB, Spanish 12, International Studies, Chem 12
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none[/li][/ul]

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
    JV Volleyball (9, 10) (Captain both years)
    Varsity Tennis (11,12) (Captain both years)
    Model UN:(9, 10, 11, 12) Served on the Secretariat for the largest completely high school student-run conference in North America twice (for the past 4 years, each year, one member of the secretariat has attended Pomona)
    Best Delegate awards numerous times
    Band: (9, 10, 11, 12)
    Jazz Band: (9, 10)
    Model UN club: (10, 11, 12) Founder and Head Delegate
    American Sign Language Club: (10, 11, 12) Founder and President
    Apiculture Club (Beekeeping): (12) Founder and Co-President
    English Head at my school (11)
    Founder and Executive of two youth non-profits. One is a registered non-profit in Canada having raised over 40 000 dollars
    Top 1% in numerous math competitions
    Represented school at International Public Speaking Competition
    Licensed Ski Instructor
    Student Ambassador at my school
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: Receptionist/MOA at Walk-in Clinic
    [] Volunteer/Community service:
    over 1000 hours of volunteering:
    senior homes
    medical assistant
    working with children and families in poverty (tutoring, babysitting, organizing events)
    [    ] Summer Activities:
    Boston University Summer Challenge in Law and Abnormal Psychology, Best Delegate Harvard Model UN program, Georgetown Medical Institute, Best Delegate UC Berkeley Model UN program, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Institutes Expository Writing (However, I only included the Stanford one on my application)
    [] Essays: When I wrote my Common App I thought it was an 8.5/10, but after going back and reading it, it probably was more like a 7.5 at best. My supplements were probably 8/10 Both my supplements were quite focused on my interest in linguistics.
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: Most likely stellar. Although one of my teachers did say that he accidentally wrote in Stanford instead of Pomona. They were from my AP Lang teacher who has taught me for 4 years (he’s the one that messed up), and my French 12 teacher who helped sponsor my ASL and bee-keeping clubs.
    [] Counselor Rec: I don’t know if it was amazing, but it was probably better than average. I go to a small school, so I know my counselor very well, and from what I can tell, I think she likes me.
    [    ] Additional Rec: Didn’t submit one
    [] Interview: It went okay, I’m a pretty outgoing person. I did an on-campus interview, and the interview went without a hitch, but it definitely wasn’t the best one I did.
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): None

Other

  • [] Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope
    [    ] State (if domestic applicant): N/A
    [] Country (if international applicant): Canada
    [    ] School Type: Private
    [] Ethnicity: Generally east asian (a little mixed, indicated on my app)
    [    ] Gender: F
    [] Income Bracket: fortunate
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None none none

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: Leadership positions, unique diversity of ec’s, academic strength
    [    ] Weaknesses: average essays, not spectacular scores, asian, international student
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Honestly I think my weird array of interests, and my demonstrated interest in Pomona
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: None, thank god I didn’t even begin writing any other apps

**General Comments: ** I’m so excited to be part of Pomona’s Class of 2021! I wish the best of luck to anyone else applying! I also just wanted to add on the part of demonstrated interest that even if the CDS says it doesn’t matter that much it definitely makes a difference! I think it made a difference for me, as I visited Pomona twice, met my regional admissions officer twice (once there, and once in Vancouver), met the Dean of Admissions at an info night in Vancouver, and talked to many current students and staff. Much like everyone else on this thread I was also obsessing over college confidential and I just wanna say DON’T OBSESS TOO MUCH. Literally each and every one of you will get into a school that is amazing and that you will love be it Pomona or somewhere else. Remember you may not get into your first choice, but you’ll have plenty of good options no matter what, and it’s YOU that makes your dream college experience not the specific institution. Sending all of you good thoughts and wishes! :slight_smile:

7

**Decision: Accepted **

** ED 1**

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (breakdown): 1490 (700 R+W, 790 M); Essay 7+7+7=21
    [    ] ACT (breakdown): n/a
    [] SAT II: Math II 790 (did not submit)
    [    ] Unweighted GPA: school does not calculate GPA, but I think it’s around 3.9
    [] Weighted GPA: school does not calculate GPA, but I think it’s around 4.2
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank, but I think I’m in the top 10%
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis):
    AP Calculus BC (5);
    AP Calculus AB subscore (5);
    AP Macroeconomics (5);
    AP Microeconomics (5);
    AP Physics 1 (3-DID NOT SUBMIT);
    AP Environmental Science (3-DID NOT SUBMIT);
    AP Chemistry;
    AP English Language;
    AP Psychology;
    AP 2-D Design;
    AP Mandarin
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
    [] Senior Year Course Load:
    For my senior year I took AP Chemistry; AP English Language; AP Psychology; AP 2-D Design; AP Mandarin; Japanese 12; Vocal Jazz 12.
    For my junior year I also took 5 AP courses and Advanced Chemistry 11, Japanese 11 and Vocal Jazz 11.
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Ummm AMC 10 School Champion (10); Canadian Intermediate Mathematics Contest School Champion (10); Hypatia Contest School Champion (11); oh and AP Scholar with Distinction. Oh and also Honour Rolls for Grades 9 and 11 lmaoo

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
    School Intercultural Council (Head, 9 10 11 12);
    Teens Growing in Faith (Head,10 11 12);
    X-Country Team (10 11 12);
    School Musical Stage Crew (9 10 11 12);
    Green Club (10 11 12);
    Collegium Musicum and Vocal Jazz Ensemble (9 10 11 12);
    School Vietnam Service Trip 2015;
    School Japan Cultural Trip 2016;
    Students On Ice Arctic Expedition 2016
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: literally none lmao
    [] Volunteer/Community service: volunteered at local church weekly; work with local organization helping down syndrome and autism peers; helping with boarding house duties (#boardinglife)
    [    ] Summer Activities: Scholarship Recipient for Students On Ice Arctic Expedition 2016 (it was AMAZING you guys should all apply!!)
    [] Essays:
    Common App Essay: 9/10 - I chose the “describe a problem” one and talked about how I think black and white perceptions are inefficient and how I want people to embrace the subtitles of “grey”, also tied in personal, major transition in character and perceptions when I moved school from China to Canada.
    Why This Major Essay: 7/10 - nothing too special, talked about how I want to engage in solving the climate crisis;
    Pomona Essay: 9/10 - I chose the diversity prompt and all my teachers adored it as it talked about how I reacted to an Inuit teen’s prejudiced comment and according to them, “it is really genuine.”
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: both were 8/10, I read them and both talked a lot about how kind and involved I was as a student (not bragging I swear). Perhaps they should have talked more about my academics a lil bit more?
    [] Counselor Rec: 10/10 we love each other lmao and she’s a REALLY good writer
    [    ] Additional Rec: 10/10 it was from my English tutor since grade 9 and she witnessed my whole transition, linguistically and personality-wise. She really likes me as well and we are super close
    [] Interview: 8/10 I flew to Cali just for the interview and she was so nice and I felt so relaxed and we talked for a long time until it had to be ended (for a solid hour lmao)
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): n/a

Other

  • [] Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope
    [    ] State (if domestic applicant): n/a
    [] Country (if international applicant): Canada
    [    ] School Type: Private Boarding + Day (550 in total)
    [] Ethnicity: Asian
    [    ] Gender: Male
    [] Income Bracket: not sure
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation college

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: Common app essay and Pomona essay perhaps; counsellor rec and additional rec; also my junior and senior course load perhaps
    [    ] Weaknesses: SAT SCORE. I WAS SO DESPERATE WHEN I GOT IT BACK AT THE END OF OCTOBER (was seriously debating wether or not to apply ED2 instead so that I can retake it in November)
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Common app essay and Pomona essay and rec letters and rigour of courses
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere else since I was/am a huge procrastinator that would not write any essays for any other colleges until I heard back from Pomona

**General Comments: ** So that was it. I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY hope that my stats give ppl confidence. YOU DON’T NEED A PERFECT SCORE TO GET IN. Pomona is very selective, but if you pour your full heart into the app, something good will come out of it! Stay strong! :slight_smile:

8

Decision: Rejected

b**

SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 34 super (English: 36 Math: 35 Reading: 35 Science: 31
SAT II: Math II: 770 Chem: 720
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.65, Weighted 4.2
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): unranked competitive private school
AP (place score in parenthesis): didn’t submit any, but took AP comp sci, AP chem, AP world, and APUSH
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load:
AT Organic Chemistry/Advanced Chemistry 2, Calc AB AP, Physics C(both parts), AP Statistics, AP gov, Spanish 5H, AP Language and comp

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP scholar with honors, not really much else just little school things, all the honors societies

Subjective:

Extracurriculars:
Captain of CS team, Co-founder and President of Chess club(extended service homeless shelter aspect described in my essay), VP of green club, VP of Tri-M Music Honors society, Soccer, various other activities

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common app: 8.5/10, supplemental: 9.5/10
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: Chem teacher: 9/10
Teacher Rec #2: Gov teacher: 8.5/10
Counselor Rec: 9/10
Additional Rec:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: Economics and Computer science
State (if domestic applicant): Florida
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: private
Ethnicity: White(Danish background)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 150k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nope

Reflection:
Mostly just threw out an ED 2 because my counselor thought I shouldn’t waste the ED. I didn’t really pour out into this app and did not even get an interview.

Strengths: All As junior year, above average test scores for pomona, okay ECs
Weaknesses: GPA, Chem SAT, lack of hook, lack of huge accomplishment, white male
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Freshman and sophomore year I had half Bs and half As, with all As junior year. Definitely grades hurt, and the lack of a diverse ethnic background made it worse.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Accepted: Case Western Reserve University
Rejected: Cornell (ED1)
General Comments :
Congrats to everyone who will be attending

9

size=4][ color=red][ b]Decision: Rejected **[/color][/size]

[ color=red] b**[/color]

[ b]Objective:**
[ list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): 2370 (old SAT)
[ *] ACT (breakdown): 35
[ *] SAT II: Lit 800, Math II 730
[ *] Unweighted GPA: 3.63
[ *] Weighted GPA: 4.81
Edit: the rest of my stats somehow just got cut off after I spent an hour filling them in and I’m not about to redo the whole thing. Congrats to everyone accepted!

10

Decision: Rejected

b**

Objective:

[ul]
[] ACT (breakdown): 34C (36E 33M 31R 34S) 30W
[] Unweighted GPA: 4.0
[] Weighted GPA: 4.79
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): none
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 on Lang and APES (self studied; school doesn’t offer APs)
[] Senior Year Course Load: full rigor all years
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none[/li][/ul]

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): freerunning (highest ranked athlete), chair on International Olympic Committee for Freerunning, piano, jazz band (pianist and vibraphonist), photography club (president), improv team (team captain), astronomy club (vice president)
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: coach for freerunning (paid, over a year), internship with city newspaper, internship with environmental science company
    [] Volunteer/Community service: Heal the Bay, Tree People, volunteer to teach freerunning to the disadvantaged (free lessons)
    [    ] Summer Activities: community service, work, internships
    [] Essays: original; CA essay about freerunning and how it has satiated my curiosity. Pomona supplements were good too but not exceptional.
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: Honors Environmental Science teacher: 10/10. Honors American Literature teacher: 9/10. Honors World History teacher/ Cross Country coach: 10/10.
    [] Counselor Rec: 9/10 – she spoke about freerunning in my rec
    [    ] Additional Rec: Cross Country coach mentioned above
    [] Interview: on campus; went REALLY well. We spoke for over an hour and my interviewer walked me around campus after.
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): sent in a short story and a freerunning video

Other:

  • [] Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
    [    ] State (if domestic applicant): CA
    [] Country (if international applicant):
    [    ] School Type: public charter
    [] Ethnicity: white
    [    ] Gender: male
    [] Income Bracket: 250,000+
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection:

  • [] Strengths: GPA, test scores above average, recommendations, ECs
    [    ] Weaknesses: maybe essays weren’t great? Also white so that doesn’t help.
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Pomona just can’t take all of the qualified candidates who apply.

    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: Northeastern; Deferred: Brown University ED

General Comments:
Congrats to everyone accepted! I really loved Pomona, but I’m happy that I will be traveling east for college now! I’m all for new experiences, and although I did apply to Pomona EDII, I was a little bit weary about staying an hour away from home for college. So far, it seems like I’ll be headed to Northeastern or hopefully Brown, WashU, Tufts, or Harvard (haha) if accepted.

11

**Decision: Accepted **

QuestBridge National College Match

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (breakdown): New, 1490(R: 750, M: 740)1520 (R: 780, M: 750)
    [    ] ACT (breakdown): n/a
    [] SAT II: Bio E( closest to my major): 780 (like 92nd percentile I think), Math 2: 770, Literature: 720
    [    ] Unweighted GPA: 4.0
    [] Weighted GPA: 4.99
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/108
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH (5) taking AP Gov, AP Calc, AP Chem and AP Lit as senior (weren’t offered before)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
    [] Senior Year Course Load: already listed APs above, and those are pretty much it. i’m also taking honors spanish 3 and i have 2 off periods
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): QB Finalist and College Prep Scholar, National Merit Commended

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Earth Club (founder/president), Debate (state qualifier and vp), (state qualifying and first chair) musician, national honors society
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: writing for a science magazine
    [] Volunteer/Community service: work with environmental organizations, volunteering at community garden, children’s museum, public library, children’s church teacher
    [    ] Summer Activities: have taken classes at colleges since the summer after 7th grade. last summer i went to an ivy’s environmental program
    [] Essays: V proud of my essays. i worked really hard on them and love what they say about me.
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: one was eh but had a good bit about overcoming financial obstacles, didn’t read the other one but it was probably pretty good, it was from my debate coach/apush teacher who’s known me since freshman year.
    [] Counselor Rec: didn’t read but probably eh
    [    ] Additional Rec: n/a
    [] Interview: went really well! was with an admit officer. mostly talked about my classes and how i hate where i live lol. i thought it wasn’t that good but after, one of the other admit officers was like, “, how’d it go??” and i was like “eh” and she was like “Well __ just came in my office and was like,’_ did so well!!’” so i guess i did well lol
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): did a music supplement but it high key wasn’t good i recorded it the day it was due lol. but an admit officer told me it can only help and it probably will help so i did it and i don’t regret it. if you have something to submit and you’re applying do it.

Other

  • [] Applied for Financial Aid?: lol YES
    [    ] State (if domestic applicant): a big one
    [] Country (if international applicant): n/a
    [    ] School Type: public and gross
    [] Ethnicity: white / native american (lol fuck you if you think this is the only reason i got in)
    [    ] Gender: f
    [] Income Bracket: low ? idk what this means but im hella poor
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first gen, native, gay, have overcome significant obstacles (think: drug addict brother, emotionally abusive father, etc)

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: essays and grades. my grades are literally stellar i love them i definitely worked hard for them. i also studied a lot for the sat and subject tests so i think those helped. i really think my essay got me in though. also i think i did a good job in showing that i was passionate about the environment and would be an activist on campus and as an alum
    [    ] Weaknesses: my second essay was kinda risky because it was basically about civil disobedience to my school’s policy and i wasn’t sure how that would come off (a professional editor guy said he hated it because it made me seem oblivious and some other shit). also my extra curriculars are kinda lacking because i only do a few and don’t have v many leadership posititons.
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: my essay and my work ethic. i really do love learning and i tried to make sure that shined through. also i found a thing pomona put about what they look for in a student and was like “holy cow thats me” so i made sure those parts were evident in my application. but yeah i def have worked hard for this and am SOOO excited to be a sagehen!!
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: i did the QuestBridge match and only ranked Pomona so i didn’t really apply anywhere else. the only other place i did was Colorado School of Mines b/c they had a scholarship program special thing for applying early and i got accepted there.

**General Comments: ** Um HI IF YOU’RE READING THIS PLS DONT FEEL BAD ABOUT YOURSELF YOU’RE A LOVELY HUMAN BEING AND POMONA IS A GREAT PLACE BUT it isn’t for everyone and also you are amazing and are going to end up somewhere awesome and have a really cool life. also don’t give up. also work like hell to achieve your goals b/c they’re worth it.
also IM REALLY HAPPY IM GOING TO POMONA IT WAS MY DREAM SCHOOL LIKE !!! I can’t wait to live in socal and meet all these AMAZING people
yay

12

@ap012199
How did you apply to both Brown ED and Pomona ED? You are allowed to do that?

13

@CollegeURM I applied to Brown EDI and Pomona EDII. I was deferred from Brown, and after the deferral, even if I get accepted in the RD round, it is no longer binding.

14

[ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted **[/color]

RD

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (breakdown): 2350 (800 R/W, 750 M) Superscored
    [    ] ACT (breakdown): 36 (36 M/R/E, 35 S, 32 W) One sitting
    [] SAT II: 800 Chem, 800 Math II, 780 US History
    [    ] Unweighted GPA: 4.0
    [] Weighted GPA: 4.9
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 5%
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): US History (5), Chem (5), EHAP (5)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis):
    [] Senior Year Course Load: (all AP) US Gov, Microecon, Calc AB, Physics 1, Literature, Latin
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Presidential Scholar, National Merit Finalist, National Latin Exam 3-time medalist, Qualifier to CHSSA, CM Piano 10

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Debate (publicist/secretary), IESC (treasurer/co-president), NEHS (activities director), Marching Band (section leader, uniform officer, president), Drawing Club (treasurer)
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: Private tutoring, working at parents’ store
    [] Volunteer/Community service: IESC, tutoring music students, coaching for middle school debate team
    [    ] Summer Activities: one internship for an assembly member, tutoring
    [] Essays: 8/10, I’ve been told my voice comes through fairly strong
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: 9/10 English, 7/10 Latin
    [] Counselor Rec: 7/10, she doesn’t know me that well
    [    ] Additional Rec:
    [] Interview: none
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.):

Other

[ul]
[] Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
[] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] School Type: Public, 600-700 senior class
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: 60-80k
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): applied for an English major…?[/li][/ul]

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: definitely test scores, maybe essays?
    [    ] Weaknesses: my ECs are hella weak B)
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I wrote the Pomona supplement on my favorite book, and I think that probably helped with my essay
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Yale: deferred, Swarthmore: waitlisted, UCSD; accepted

General Comments: I’m super excited! Congrats to everyone who was accepted and good luck to those who weren’t.

15

Decision: WAITLISTED

GPA- 4.3 Weighted (out of 4.7), not weighted 3.92 (to give some perspective here, my schools is extremely competitive and the Valedictorian W GPA is 4.4, I have all A’s)
ACT- 35 C
Class rank- probably top 10%, not reported though
Italian Subject SAT- 770
APs- World History (4), Psychology (5), Biology (5), English Lang (5), US History (4)
Honors- Chem, French (3 yrs), US History, Calc

Senior Course load: 4 APs and 1 Honors

Honors/Awards:
National French Exam- Silver Award: won Sophomore year 2015, one of 2 people to win it
some decent local awards for my projects below
High Honor role- all of HS
AP Scholar
National Merit Commended student

Sports: JV Tennis 2 years, Varsity Tennis 2 years, V Golf 1 year

Leadership: Major one is a grant of $4,000 I applied for and was awarded Junior year to do a project on Healthy Eating for it in my school district (I organized 6 assemblies, 2 parent workshops, and a HS cafeteria tasting, also made a survey, successful impact which added organic and healthier options in the cafeterias, continuously adding more this year to improve the cafeteria food at all schools)
Started the Animal Rights club (president of it for 2 years, not currently)
Pres of Environmental Club
VP of French Club
Applying for 2 more grants on similar topics (one 10K the other 2K) for sustainable gardening and composting

Volunteer: my grant project also gives me hours (at least 40, Junior year), Pony Power Therapies (Soph year 25 hrs), I help kids with disabilities (Soph-Senior, 20 hrs per year)

Summer: into Junior year I did a two week college camp at JHU and took a class, into Senior year I took a summer online course at my local community college in Abnormal Psychology

Recommendation Letters: one 10/10 (said gave me the highest rec he’s ever given), the others I’m guessing 9/10, also an extra one from my superintendent who worked with me on the grant (7/10)

Interview- Great! I think it really demonstrated my interest and my intellectual passions, also my leadership and involvement in ECs, and I had to drive an hour into NYC for it so hopefully they saw that as demonstrated interest too
(didn’t visit Pomona though…)

Essays- pretty good, my main essay is a 9/10 and supplements are similar, show my personality/voice, unique interests/qualities, my cultural background, and passion

Extra- I’m bilingual (Italian and English), Dual citizenship with Italy, US citizen/resident

Applied for Financial Aid?: yep
Intended Major: Psych or Neuro
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Public, top-rated
Ethnicity: white
Gender: female
Income Bracket: middle class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): the opposite of a hook

Strengths: probably ACT scores, increasing trend in grades, leadership in the grants
Weaknesses: lol gender, whiteness, maybe essays could have been better, more focused (point) ECs and academic interests (I’m kind of all over the place on my application)
Why you think you were accepted/rejected/deferred? Not really sure, I was pretty much expecting a rejection so at least I still have a (marginal) chance.

Other College Decisions: Deferred ED Brown, accepted early write at Amherst with Schupf Scholar, waitlisted Bowdoin
Applied to- Tufts, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Bryn Mawr, Vassar, Brandeis, Harvard, Carleton

16

**Decision: Accepted **

** RD**

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (breakdown): 2350 Superscored (800 W/R, 750 M)
    [    ] ACT (breakdown): 36- One sitting (36 E/R/M, 35 S, 32 W)
    [] SAT II: Chem- 800. US History- 770. Math II- 800.
    [    ] Unweighted GPA: 4.0
    [] Weighted GPA: 4.9
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 5%
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): EHAP (5), APUSH (5), Chem (5)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
    [] Senior Year Course Load: all APs-- Calculus AB, Microeconomics, US Government, Latin, Physics 1, Literature
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Presidential Scholar candidate, National Merit Finalist, NLE Medalist, CHSSA Qualifier, CM Piano 10, Crafton Award, Nanowrimo

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Marching Band (uniform officer, section leader, president), Debate (publicist, secretary), IESC (treasurer, co-president), NEHS (activities director), Drawing Club (treasurer)
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: private tutor, work at family business
    [] Volunteer/Community service: IESC, music tutoring, coaching middle school debate
    [    ] Summer Activities: internship for assembly campaign, music tutoring, private tutoring
    [] Essays: main: 8/10. supplements: 9/10.
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: English: 9/10. Latin: 7/10.
    [] Counselor Rec: 7/10.
    [    ] Additional Rec:
    [] Interview: n/a
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): n/a

Other

  • [] Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
    [    ] State (if domestic applicant): CA
    [] Country (if international applicant):
    [    ] School Type: Public, senior class of ~650
    [] Ethnicity: Asian
    [    ] Gender: Female
    [] Income Bracket: 60-80k
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): uuhh English major?

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: tests, academic for sure. I’d like to say my writing…
    [    ] Weaknesses: Extracurriculars.
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Wrote about my favorite book-- probably a contributing factor.
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Deferred- Yale. Waitlisted- Swarthmore. Accepted: UCLA, UCSD.

General Comments: I’m super excited! Congrats to everyone who was accepted, and best of luck to those who were not!

17

Rejected!

SAT = 2190
GPA = 5.15 on a 4.3 weighted scale
Class Rank = 6/525
6 APs

Congrats to everyone accepted!

18

Decision: Accepted

Round: RD via QuestBridge App

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (breakdown): NEW 1300/1600 (650 Math, 650 Reading)
    [    ] ACT (breakdown): superscore 31 Composite (35E, 26M, 31R, 31S)
    [] SAT II: didn’t take
    [    ] Unweighted GPA: (100-point scale) 95.6; (4.0 scale) 3.89
    [] Weighted GPA: (100-point scale) 99.15
    [    ] Rank: 13/404
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geo, World History, English Lang, Seminar, English Lit, Biology, Spanish Lang, US History, Psychology (Four 3s, Three 4s, One 5)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): not offered
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Gov (1st semester), AP Macro (2nd semester), AP Stats, AP Environmental Science, AP Spanish Lit, dual credit Hospitality, honors course
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): uhhh none really except QuestBridge Finalist & AP Scholar w/ Distinction

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): FCCLA (Texas officer an representative and voting elector at nationals), Science Bowl (secretary), TRiO Upward Bound, NHS
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: Intern at a cafe 10 hrs/week
    [] Volunteer/Community service: Teen Court (bailiff and clerk)
    [    ] Summer Activities: FCCLA Leadership Camp (for officers), Nationals at FCCLA last year, Teen Court when needed
    [] Essays: Okay I thought these were pretty bad but apparently not <3 I wrote about visiting my family and how that changed me in a narrative style with vivid detail
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: Teacher 1- didn’t see but he’s written recs for people who’ve gotten into other top tier schools; Teacher 2- spoke a lot to my personality, very sweet
    [] Counselor Rec: didn’t see
    [    ] Additional Rec: N/A
    [] Interview: N/A
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): N/A

Other

  • [] Applied for Financial Aid?: lol you better believe it
    [    ] State (if domestic applicant): texas
    [] Country (if international applicant):
    [    ] School Type: Public “magnet” (but not rlly)
    [] Ethnicity: Hispanic (screw you if you think that’s the only reason I got in)
    [    ] Gender: Female
    [] Income Bracket: questbridge poor
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first-gen, low-income

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: Essays, personality, upward trend in grades?
    [    ] Weaknesses: TEST SCORES, ECs, I’m actually the very first person in my family to go to college so I had to figure out everything all on my own and my parents don’t speak English
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: IDK IDK IDK It has to have been my essays because literally everything else on my QuestBridge app was trash because I did it in like a week
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Rejected: Northwestern, Swarthmore. Waitlisted: Colby. Deferred: Yale SCEA. Accepted: Grinnell (likely letter), Southwestern, state school honors college

**General Comments: ** Hi hello um if you’re reading this asking yourself “how did she get in?”, trust me I’m asking myself the same question. Please don’t base your worth on a college decision. Trust me. Colby, Northwestern, Swarthmore, and Pomona all came out the same day. Pomona was the last one to come in but I didn’t check it 'till FIVE HOURS after it came out because I had been rejected from all of the other schools that had higher acceptance rates; I was 1,001% positive I was going to get denied so I just moped around until almost midnight until I decided to rip the bandaid off and just check so that I could sleep. And I got in. Everything happens for a reason.YOU ARE MORE THAN A TEST SCORE. YOU ARE MORE THAN AN ACCEPTANCE/DEFERRAL/WAITLIST/DENIAL. You are a HUMAN BEING with interests and dimensions and complexities and your life is not defined by what college you go to but what you choose to make of it. If you’re reading this, it’s because you want the best for your future. Don’t let that spark fade just because a college says no.

19

**Decision: Accepted! **

RD

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (breakdown): New: 1510 (790M/700E) Old: 2200 (800M/710W/690R)
    [    ] SAT II: 790 Math II & 700 Physics
    [] Unweighted GPA: ~3.9
    [    ] Weighted GPA: ~4.6
    [] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/450
    [    ] AP (place score in parenthesis): 5’s on Calc BC and Stats; 4’s on Lang, Physics I, Psych, and APUSH
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics II, AP Chinese, AP Econ (macro/micro), AP Studio Art, AP Lit
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): OOTM World Finalist Freshman Year and a few scholar-athlete/hockey awards. Nothing special.

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 3D Printing club (founder/president), Activism Organization (executive committee), Varsity Ice Hockey (Captain), Varsity Lacrosse, Local non-profit (Volunteer and Liaison of Corporate Sponsorship), School Ambassadors, Student Government (Vice President), Odyssey of the Mind (Participant and Coach), Peer Mediation/conflict resolution (President), Science Olympiad, Intern for a Congressman
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: Avid babysitter.
    [] Summer Activities: M&TSI @ Penn <3
    [    ] Essays: I really liked my Pomona Supplement. Probably 8-9/10
    [] Teacher Recommendation: One should be phenomenal and the other generic.
    [    ] Counselor Rec: Generic.
    [] Interview: Did not interview
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): I submitted a few of my drawing and paintings since I’m considering an art minor.

Other

  • [] State (if domestic applicant): CT
    [    ] School Type: Public Magnet
    [] Ethnicity: Multiracial (Caucasian and Chinese)
    [    ] Gender: M
    [] Income Bracket: High
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): lol

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: I think I’m pretty well-rounded and somewhat successful in a variety of activities.
    [    ] Weaknesses: No strong focus or “hooks”
    [] Why you think you were accepted: My essays and “fit”. I could really see myself as a student at Pomona.
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: Swarthmore, UCLA(BizEcon), Georgia Tech(MechE), Babson, and UVA. Deferred: Wharton(ED). Waitlisted: WashU and Northwestern

**General Comments: **
I’m so excited to be accepted! I’m still waiting to hear back from Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, and Penn, but as of now Pomona is my top choice. Chirp chirp!

20

Decision: Accepted RD

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 31C: 29M, 31R, 31E, 31S
SAT II: Didn’t submit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96
Weighted GPA: 4.54
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 38/710 5.3%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Took one AP Junior year, but didn’t send the test
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Health, AP European History, AP Chemistry, AP Spanish Language, AP Government/Microeconomics, Humanities, AP Statistics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None although accepted to fly-in programs. Amherst: DIVOH, Oberlin: Multicultural Weekend, Pomona College: The Fall Weekend, Hamilton: Diversity Overnight

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
-Choir Council (Treasurer) (9,10,11)
Organized receipts utilizing Microsoft Excel and kept constant communication with choir director and students regarding debts.
-Be A Leader Foundation (President/Founder) (11,12)
Help guide low-income students on the path to college by providing free resources, leadership workshops, mentoring, and college application support.
-Students Passing On Knowledge (SPOK) (11,12)
Community service involvement. Attend weekly tutoring sessions at local middle schools, tutoring in subjects including math, science, and english.
-Music For Cure Club (10,11)
Members perform at various genres of music at hospitals and senior living centers to bring joy and support to those in need
-NHS (11,12)
Ya’ll know what this is lol
-Biotechnology (12)
Hands on experience and official lab work with micropipetting, replicating DNA, separating macromolecules & fragmenting DNA using restriction enzymes.
-Summer Programs (10,11,12)
Applied and accepted into ASU Barrett Summer Scholars. National Student Leadership Conference: Medicine and Health Program at Northwestern University.
-Voice & Piano Lessons (10,11)
Attended weekly lessons. 1st Chair Bass Regional Honor Choir and 2nd Chair Bass All-State Show Choir
-We The People, Competition Government (12)
Juniors audition for senior year. Compete in mock congressional hearings on district, state, and national level. Fulfills AP Government credit.
-In n Out Restaurant Associate (11,12)
Order taking, janitorial services, and food slicing at In n Out Restaurant since the beginning of June 2016.

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

  1. Wrote about why I want to study my major!
  2. Wrote about how I used to extreme coupon in middle school and how that distinguished me from other 12 year old boys haha

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: Math Teacher 9/10 She allowed me to read it before submitting!
Teacher Rec #2: Chemistry Teacher 10/10 She also allowed me to read it before submitting!
Counselor Rec: I’m guessing very well written! I had to fill out this 9 page rec letter form for her so she could write an amazing letter (which she emphasized she did). 9-10/10
Additional Rec: None
Interview: None

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Biochemistry
State (if domestic applicant): Arizona
Country (if international applicant): United States
School Type: Public ~3000 students
Ethnicity: Hispanic and Pacific Islander
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >$200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection:
Strengths: Essays, EC’s, Rec Letters
Weaknesses: ACT, lack of AP’s, No national awards
Why you think you were accepted: I’m an URM and my essays were very well written and I wrote about things that truly mattered to me!
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Rejected: None
Deferred: Yale SCEA
Waitlisted: UChicago
Accepted: ASU Barrett The Honors College, Case Western as PPSP Finalist, UMich Defer→ Accept, Amherst Early-Write, Pomona, UCLA
Still waiting on: Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, UPenn, Dartmouth, Duke, Vanderbilt, Hamilton, Stanford, UC-Berkeley, USC

General Comments:
Test scores, rank, and GPA are NOT everything!!! The essays and extracurriculars mean SO much in the process and I cannot emphasize that enough!! Please please please for future reference, spend a lot of time on the essays and portraying yourself as the best candidate there is! And remember, you will end up where you need to be and in the end, it’s all about what YOU make of your college experience. God was so generous in offering me a place in Pomona and he will definitely offer you a place in the school you need to be at! TRUST ME.