Yo.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
1

<p>Alright, so i feel pretty guilty- i've been bouncing around colleges, thinking i'd apply to yale scea, or go for rice or something, but after visiting pomona and hearing my sister extol it for the past like 6 years, I'm pretty sure i'm going to apply there early decision. I've posted this in a few places- but this will be the last one, since i'm confident that pomona is my first choice- and i would rather go there than anywhere else (its academics are comparable to any great school, but its people and weather put it over the top). Would appreciate any feedback on chances / other stuff.</p>

<p>here are my stats, sorry for the long post and thanks for reading.</p>

<p>White male
Attends Competitive suburban New York public school</p>

<p>UW GPA: 3.97 (2 A-s, all the rest A or A+)
W GPA: 4.50</p>

<p>Rank: top 5/350+ probably 3-5, not 1 or 2</p>

<p>7th grade:</p>

<p>Sequential 1 Math- A+</p>

<p>8th grade:</p>

<p>Sequential 2 Math- A+
English 9h- A
World History 9h- A
Earth Science 9h- A+
French 9h- A</p>

<p>9th grade:</p>

<p>Sequential 3 Math- A+
English 10h- A-
AP World History- A
Biology h- A+
Concert Band- A
French 10h- A+
Science Research A+ (1/2 credit)</p>

<p>10th grade:</p>

<p>Math 12h (precalc)- A+
AP Statistics- A+
English 11h- A-
American History h (could not take AP, scheduling conflict)- A+
Chemistry h- A+
French 11h- A+
Concert Band- A (1/2 credit)
Science Research- A (1/2 credit)</p>

<p>11th grade:</p>

<p>AP Calc BC- A
AP Language and Composition- A
AP Biology- A+
Health- A+ (1/2 credit)
College Economics- A+ (1/2 credit)
AP Physics- A+
AP French- A</p>

<p>SAT: </p>

<p>1st sitting- 780m 730v 710w, 2220 composite
2nd sitting- 710m 730v 740w, 2180 (focused on writing, math is my best subject but i guess i didnt pace myself or pay attention)
Superscore: 780m 730v 740w, 2250 composite
Math1: 660 (hoping i dont have to submit this, took freshman year, first SAT2, hope it doesnt play big role)
Math2: 770
Biology:770
Chemistry:790</p>

<p>AP:</p>

<p>World History-5
Statistics-5
English Lang- 5
Calculus BC- 5
Biology- 5
Physics B- 4
French Language- 3 </p>

<p>Next year: European History, Art History, Chemistry, Physics C, and Literature </p>

<p>Extracurriculars/Honors:</p>

<p>Volunteer Ambulance Corps Youth Corps- First Lieutenant, President + Certified First Responder. About 300 volunteer riding hours so far
Varsity soccer- 4 years + Club soccer (traveled to minnesota, italy with team, traveled to brazil to train...unfortunately soccer isn't a varsity sport at rice)
Columbia Science Honors Program- selective science program through columbia, about 16% acceptance rate
CTY Summer program 6 years with strong recommendations
Science Research 4 years + junior summer- going to submit paper to intel (but not a semifinalist level paper : / )
New Jersey Science league- top 10% twice, level 1 and level 2 biology
RPI medal (60k scholarship to RPI)
Bausch and lomb award
Science Olympiad- silver medal in forensics, bronze medal in astronomy
Mu Alpha Theta- activities coordinator
Math league + New York State Math League- state qualifier
Chemistry Avagadro Exam- top 5%
Expect NMS commended student
Academic league
NHS
French club
Assorted honors societies</p>

<p>Strong points (I think): Community service, peer evaluations / recommendations (I play soccer with the crew chief at my ambulance corps at least 1x per week), I have had a brilliant english teacher for 2 years who has seen me grow (academically and personally) and will write a good rec., balance of academic and non-academic interest, strong focus on sciences but still challenge myself in humanities (eg. ap art history), rigour of curriculum (12 aps by graduation), I may be able to play soccer there.</p>

<p>Weak points: nothing stands out... no national competition win / unique qualities / extracurriculars. 660math I SATII. Participate in 4 years school science research w/ no significant awards or research internships. White male from northeast. </p>

<p>Interview: discussed academic subjects- but also how i enjoy doing ambulance corps and playing soccer to balance out / deal with my rigorous academic schedule. Also discussed meeting friend through exchange program and how we visit eachother during the summer and other traveling experiences (with soccer to italy, minnesota, etc.) Talked applying analytical / scientific approach helped me enjoy english / critical analysis more, and how this is contributing to my interest outside of the sciences, and how i will be taking art history, european history, and literature next year. Discussed how I (ashamedly) want to go to school where it's warm, the kind of place where i can go outside and play frisbee everyday. HOWEVER, i didn't really come out of my shell that much, and i feel that could have hurt me. </p>

<p>Would appreciate expected % chances of acceptance (those are always neat)</p>

<p>Again, sorry for the long post.</p>

2

<p>Your stats and ECs make you a very strong candidate. And soccer is a varsity sport at Pomona.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I put your chance of getting accepted right around 92%.</p>

4

<p>Excellent shot early decision. I applied early decision and was admitted with a background similar to yours. Don't worry about your 1c score, pomona won't care. I did similarly on the math 1c, but much better on 3 other subject tests, so I don't think Pomona even considered my mediocre (690) math level 1 score. TRY HARD to make intel...that would help A LOT!! Also, make sure that your essays are interesting, and try to write about something that isn't mentioned elsewhere on your application, perhaps a unique hobby of yours or a seemingly insignificant event that illustrates your personality and values.</p>

5

<p>I think your chances are good, especially for early decision.</p>

6

<p>I'm a bit confused. Did you already interview?</p>

7

<p>i interviewed at pomona last week</p>

8

<p>does anybody know what Pomona's ED admit rate is ? Is it an advantage to apply ED? I'm doing it anyway since it's my first choice for sure, but is the candidate pool stronger? Looking at all the rediculous applicants on CC is quite intimidating.</p>

9

<p>According to USNWR, ED admit rate (in 2006-07) was 28%, regular admit 17%, with 33% of all students admitted through early decision.</p>

<p>According to Dean of Admissions Bruce Poch: "Our profile of students admitted by early decision is indistinguishable from that of our students admitted regular decision in its academic, economic, and ethnic mix, and we have the luxury of a need-blind admissions program that pledges to meet fully the financial need of our students."</p>

10

<p>ED is a huge advantage</p>

11

<p>How would Intel make any difference if the OP is applying ED? The semifinalists are chosen in January.</p>