Pomona is very difficult for almost anyone to get into; in terms of selectivity, it seems to be similar to the ivy leagues. However, their financial aid is also incredible. Brandeis appears to be easier to get into, and although they claim to meet 100% financial aid, it doesn’t seem to be as strong as Pomona’s. All other things being equal, which one should I apply to if financial aid is important?
Is there any reason not to apply to both?
What are your goals? What do you want to study?
I don’t want to apply to more than seven schools, as it would cost a lot of money, and I’m already set on applying to the other six.
I want to double major in economics and math and go on to get a PhD in economics.
What are your stats?
OP has said UW 3.4, W 3.7, ACT 32 in a previous thread. @intparent
Brandeis. You are very unlikely to get into Pomona with a 3.4 UW.
From my understanding, schools like Pomona have a very holistic approach to admissions. I’m applying regular decision, so the college will see my midyear report, and based on current grades, unless something crazy happens, I should end the semester bringing it up to a 3.9 W and 3.5 UW (which should also raise my class rank by a fair bit). I know the stats are still low for a school like Pomona; however, I’ve taken a highly rigorous class load, with 12 APs completed by graduation, and the rise in grades is certainly something that I think would be taken as a positive. My ACT (superscore) is a 33, and I’m planning on taking it one more time before applications are due, and based on what I can tell, my LORs have been fantastic. If I can write some high quality essays and show some unique capabilities I can bring, although I admit it’s difficult, I still think there is a chance of admission.
However, the main question I asked earlier leads to whether or not that chance for Pomona is worth taking over Brandeis, specifically considering financial aid. Brandeis offers to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, but from what I have heard, Pomona’s financial aid is definitely superior. Considering that financial aid is important to me, is the chance of Pomona worth taking over Brandeis?
Holistic to a point. That allows them to admit a hooked student with slightly lower stats. If you aren’t hooked, it won’t be you. Sorry…
What are the other schools on your list, and where on the reach-match-safety scale could you use one more application? Would ~$5K more in n-b aid be “nice to have”, or would it be make-or-break?
The other schools on the list are University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, University of Chicago, and George Mason University. UAB and Auburn are my safeties. For George Mason, NC State, and Georgia Tech, I think I’m a match in terms of acceptance, but for me to attend, I will need to be considered for their large sum scholarships. UChicago and Pomona/Brandeis are my reaches.
In terms of how important $5k more would make, it depends. If I’m down to two schools, and one is offering me a full ride and the other is offering enough for me to only have to pay $5k, and the second school is better for me, $5k isn’t a real problem for me. But if the two schools I’m down to are giving me the option to pay $20k or $25k, that $5k is probably make or break and I would likely choose the school that’s cheaper.
Holistic does not mean that academics aren’t important. It just means that they don’t line up the applicants in order of GPA/standardized test and take the highest ones.
If you are determined to apply to exactly seven colleges, I don’t believe Pomona is worth your while.
I never claimed academics are not important; if that was the case, why would I even care to ask the question? All I’m saying is that at a 3.7/3.9 W and 3.4/3.5 UW GPA, I don’t think anyone can be written off immediately. Will it hurt me? Sure. But does it kill off any chance? Maybe not. I’m only trying to claim that you can’t just say whether or not someone’s getting in or not based on their GPA; there are people with relatively low GPAs that have gotten into Pomona without a hook before.
I’m a few years out from my children go through an admissions cycle, but Pomona’s reputation was “school that liked high GPAs”. D1 toured and loved Pomona, but her GPA (from a highly grade-deflating high school)-higher than yours, with a 35 ACT–made her an unlikely admit for RD.
If you’re willing to add Pomona in addition to Brandeis, then yes, go for it. Otherwise, I agree with others that it’s not worth taking the chance over Brandeis.
You have asked opinions and you don’t seem to like the answer. If you want to apply to Pomona then you should do so and you don’t need to get approval from anyone on CC…but those who answered, myself included, feel you would have a better shot at Brandeis and that using your last application for Brandeis could give you more choices in the end. Or of course you could apply to eight schools rather than seven. Your call.
I’m fine with the substantive and constructive advice from those who try to answer the question; in fact, I appreciate the variety of opinions that have actually given some sort of thoughtful answer. However, I see nothing wrong with me clarifying where I stand when someone inaccurately characterizes my position or simply stating a normal objection to an idea. For example, you implied that I think Pomona’s holistic admissions process means “academics aren’t important.” However, this could not be farther from the truth, I don’t think I said anything to suggest this, and all I’ve done is clarify my position by stating why it’s not true. Also, someone else said I wouldn’t get in just based on looking at my GPA and ACT. Now, I understand that’s just the opinion of the other person, and I’m fine with it; his/her conclusion could very well be right. However, I simply stated that I think it’s not that simple and that my original question was not really answered. Again, no problem with people giving their opinions, but I also think there’s nothing wrong with me giving a simple clarification or a polite objection to an idea.
Really not sure why you asked the question to start with, since you have convinced yourself that an unhooked student with a 3.4 UW can get in.
Again, I realize the chances of that happening are not large, make no mistake about it. Please don’t mistake me believing that it’s not impossible as I’m confident of getting in. And as I said above, it’s very possible that your conclusion is correct and that I don’t get in if I decide to apply there. But again, I’m just personally not of the belief that a GPA number in and of itself can knock a candidate out of a holistic consideration, as you’ve implied. As I stated in a response to your earlier comment, the question was: Considering that financial aid is important to me, is that small chance of Pomona worth taking over Brandeis, a school that may be easier to get into, but that just won’t give me as much money? Now, you’ve made your opinion crystal clear, and I’m happy to take it into consideration.