Overview
Pomona College is a extremely selective private four-year institution in Claremont, California. The school accepts 7.0% of applicants and enrolls 1,638 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 7.0%
- Average SAT
- 1,520
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,480–1,560
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 34
- Total Enrollment
- 1,638
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Pomona's admissions committee reads every application with the Consortium in mind, knowing you'll have access to resources across all five Claremont Colleges while maintaining the intimacy of a small liberal arts environment. Your essays should reflect understanding of this balance between breadth and depth.
Don't write about wanting a small school experience without acknowledging the 5C community. Pomona admits students who will cross-register for classes at Harvey Mudd or Scripps, eat at different dining halls, and join clubs that span all five campuses. Show you understand this interconnected ecosystem in your supplemental essays.
The school's sponsor groups and mentorship traditions matter deeply here. Reference how upperclassmen live with first-years in residence halls, creating natural mentorship opportunities you won't find at typical colleges. Admissions officers want to see you'll contribute to this culture of peer support.
Your "Why Pomona" essay should mention specific professors by name and their research, not just praise small class sizes. The college expects you to have done homework on faculty in your intended major. Generic responses about "close professor relationships" won't differentiate you from thousands of other applicants to elite liberal arts colleges.
Don't assume Pomona functions like an Ivy League school despite its selectivity. The college admits students who want undergraduate focus over graduate school prestige. If you write about research opportunities, frame them as collaborative learning experiences rather than resume builders for PhD programs.
Apply Early Decision if Pomona is genuinely your top choice. The college fills a significant portion of each class through ED, and demonstrated interest matters more here than at larger universities where yield is less critical.
Your activity list should show sustained commitment rather than impressive titles. Pomona admits doers who will start new organizations or revitalize existing ones on campus. Leadership here means initiating projects, not just holding positions.
The Claremont location offers unique opportunities for civic engagement and internships in Southern California. Connect your interests to this geographic advantage rather than treating location as an afterthought in your application.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $19,424/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $62,326
- Students Receiving Aid
- 19%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 93.2%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $77,779/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 95.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pomona College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Pomona College is test-optional for most applicants. Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
What is the early decision deadline for Pomona College?
Pomona College offers Early Decision I with a November 15 deadline and Early Decision II with a January 8 deadline. Both are binding admission plans.
Can you transfer to Pomona College as a sophomore or junior?
Pomona College accepts transfer students for fall semester entry only. Transfer applicants must have completed at least one year of college coursework before enrolling.
Does Pomona College interview applicants during the admissions process?
Pomona College offers optional alumni interviews for applicants. Interviews are conducted by alumni volunteers and are informational rather than evaluative.