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How to Respond to the 2034/2024 Pomona College Supplemental Essay Prompts

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Pomona College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in Claremont, California. If you are applying, a few Pomona supplemental essays are required. These include an academic interest statement, a short response essay, and a longer response essay. Responding to these prompts in a stellar way offers the admissions professionals a better view of who you are. Let’s dive in!

Academic interest statement

The academic interest statement is a quick, 150 word maximum statement that shows why you chose to apply to Pomona. Quick doesn’t always mean easy, so give yourself plenty of time to write and review, and then repeat! 

Academic interest statement prompt

“What do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s)? If undecided, share more about one of your academic passions.”

 A topic for this prompt shouldn’t be too difficult to think of. If you are having trouble thinking of what to say, here are a few things to think about:

• What classes did you love in high school?
• What is the reason that you picked your major?
• What about your specific program at Pomona inspires you?
• What are your career aspirations?

These are all great questions to ask yourself before you start writing, to get you inspired. As with any college application essay, just be honest and be yourself–authenticity always comes through. 

Short-response essays

The Pomona College short response supplemental essays are each only a maximum of 150 words. The good thing about this section is that there are three prompt options to choose from. That means you only have to select one to write about. 

Short-response prompt #1

“At Pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. Share with us one of your quirky personal, family, or community traditions and why you hold on to it.”

This is a very unique question for a college application essay, which is why it is so great. You may not have a tradition that you can think of off the top of your head, and that’s okay! That just means this prompt may not be for you– which is why they have two more options. 

An example here might be a family tradition such as eating a certain meal as a family every week, and how you would like to carry a similar tradition to college with you. It could also be a tradition that your high school community had, such as a rival football game that gets you excited to explore team rivalries at your new school. Whatever you choose to write about, try to be clear and concise in your writing, because you do not have much space to write anything super “wordy”.

Short-response prompt #2

“What item are you excited to bring with you to college?”

This is a fun question because it is so open-ended. You can use this prompt to showcase your personality and the type of person you are. It reveals things about you that can’t be found on a resume or academic report. 

Whether it is some sort of memento that reminds you of your childhood or a more practical item that you can’t live without, this prompt allows you to be witty and let the reader see who you are. You could also take this question literally, and write about something that you are bringing with you that isn’t a tangible item– something you learned at some point during your life, or a quality that you have that will help you succeed in college. 

Short-response prompt #3

“Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world?

There are many directions that you can take this prompt, and we’re sure that upon reading it, you can think of at least one instance. For this prompt, you really want to channel the way that this feeling of empowerment made you feel, and how it affected your life, or the way you live your life. This can be a very deep question if you let it!

Longer response essays

The longer response essays are going to give you a bit more room to talk about things in more depth. They are going to be a maximum of 250 words, and you have three prompts to pick from, again for this section. 

Longer response essay #1

“In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about? Why?”

This prompt is really interesting, especially for a long response essay. For a prompt like this, the reader wants to be able to see how open-minded you can be. Are you a person who is willing to respectfully learn about the viewpoints of others? This tells a lot about a student and the way they live their lives (and how they might adapt to college life). Think about this when you are writing this prompt.

 Longer response essay #2

“Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?”

For this prompt, you could talk about your community as a whole. That could be your hometown, your high school, or another larger community. You could also share about a smaller community, such as an organization that you are a part of, a church group, a service group, or even a club at school. It is important to remember that the prompt is there to inspire you, not to lock you into one certain topic. You are allowed to stray slightly from the topic as long as you redirect it to align with the question they are asking you. 

Next, you want to start thinking about what Pomona College’s core values are. With this knowledge, you can align the values learned from your  community with those of Pomona College. The core values of Pomona are:

• Professionalism
• Student development
• Ethical behavior

Take these values and connect them to the values or perspectives that you will bring with you to college. The reader will be so impressed that you have done your homework and that you are aligned with what they believe in.

Longer response essay #3

“What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?”

This prompt is the perfect opportunity for you to dive in deep and really tell the college admissions professionals who you are on the inside. Don’t take this prompt and write about something simple– they want to know about your struggles and how they made you stronger. Lean into that feeling and write from your heart here.

A prompt like this one would be a great opportunity to write about struggles such as a medical problem, mental health struggles, bullying, family problems, growing up and growing out of friendships; the list could go on and on. This is the perfect opportunity to show Pomona what has made you stronger in your life, and how you choose to use those difficult experiences to better the life of others and yourself. This might be emotional, but that’s okay. If you feel comfortable writing about these topics, even if they are hard to get out on the page, it is going to give the essay a much more human feel. After all, sharing an authentic, lived experience reveals a person’s true colors. 

Final thoughts for students

Although having this many options to write about may seem daunting at first, it makes things a bit easier on you because you have so many options to choose from. This way, there is bound to be a prompt among the Pomona supplemental essays that fits every person. As long as you stay honest and concise in each of your essays, your personality will shine through. There is no doubt that this will impress the reader!

Additional resources

At Scholarships360, we get that applying to college is a stressful time– which is why we have your back! Once you’ve finished up your Pomona College supplemental essays, you can start looking into scholarship opportunities in our scholarship database , and additional college admissions tips . You can also check out our guides on how many colleges to apply for , how to choose a college , and how to plan college visits .

Realizing Pomona might not be for you? That’s okay too! We have tons of other articles on other schools supplemental essays as well, such as Stanford University , Claremont McKenna College , and much more. Good luck on the rest of your college admissions process!

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Pomona College 2022-23 Supplemental Essay Guide

Early Decision: Dec 15

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 8

Pomona College 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 150 words each, 1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s) : Why , Oddball, Community

The Pomona-specific essay prompts for those applying for Fall 2023 admission include an academic interest statement (max. 150 words); a short-response essay (max. 150 words); and a longer-response essay (max. 250 words).

(1) academic interest statement: what do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s) if undecided, share more about one of your academic passions..

This prompt is asking you to describe what you want to major in and explain why you like it so much that you’re willing to dedicate four years of life to its study. The admissions officer reviewing your application will likely expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion as well, so tell a story. The essays that stick with us are the ones that jump off the page with concrete descriptions from real life. What interests you and why? How have you gone about learning more about your subject of interest? What will this degree allow you to do (if you’re going in decided)? How have you already explored your inclination? While you don’t need to narrow in on the exact moment you became interested in geology or music education, try to focus on one significant experience. Your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study. 

(2) Short-Response Essay: choose to respond to one of the following three prompts in 150 words or less:

At pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. share with us one of your quirky personal, family, or community traditions and why you hold on to it..

The fun thing about community essays like this one is that the word “community” can refer to many kinds of groups/cultures/online clubs—if you’re connecting to others, that’s a community! The tradition you choose to discuss could be from an established community like your church or mosque, but it could also be from any other group you consider yourself a part of. Maybe you found an important group of friends and mentors once you got into artistic swimming and you are now the proud owner of a cherished good luck charm that will accompany you to college next year. Or perhaps you have a family tradition of playing a game of basketball after Thanksgiving every year. Do you look forward to it? Would it still be Turkey Day without your uncle’s famous alley-oop? If you’re drawing a blank, try to list out a few individual people who have impacted your life for the better. Then try to fit them into a larger community. How have your Twitch followers enriched your gaming experience? How can you lead admissions to a new way of understanding the person you are today?

What item are you excited to bring with you to college?

Do not overthink this prompt, dear applicants, for it is just another opportunity for admissions to get to know you better. If an item immediately comes to mind, we say run with it. If nothing comes to mind, fear not; you can work backward. Is there an element of your life, dreams, or personality that you have yet to share with admissions? Which item unlocks a story that demonstrates that aspect of your identity? You might be excited to bring a souvenir to campus that will serve as an icebreaker for meeting fellow students. Maybe you’re more of a mental health advocate and want to share how you’re bringing a weighted blanket to help ease potential anxiety. Perhaps making bracelets has always helped you to clear your mind and ground yourself in the present moment. Will you be bringing three packs of embroidery floss to campus? This prompt is so open-ended that anyone can make it their own, including you!

Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world?

Pomona College wants to know about a time when you felt empowered. What happened? How were you feeling? How did you grow from the experience? What skills did you develop? What did you learn? Maybe you stepped out of your comfort zone to audition for the school play and were, to your surprise, cast in a leading role. Perhaps you learned first-hand that great risks can yield great rewards and you plan to take that mindset with you to college. Did you bond with a student you tutored after school as part of a volunteer program? Maybe you continued to help him with his homework long after the program ended, cheering him on when he made Honor Roll for the first time, an achievement he never foresaw for himself. Whatever your top-of-the-world-moment is, don’t forget to connect it in some way to the type of college experience you hope to have at Pomona.

(3) Longer-Response Essay: choose to respond to one of the following three prompts in 250 words or less:

In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about why.

Admissions wants to know that you can view life from different perspectives by reflecting on your own behavior, values, and thought processes and drawing conclusions that best align with your values. As you consider this prompt, think back on those impassioned “aha!” moments that forced you to drastically re-examine a long-held belief. As you tell your story, include sensory details to bring your experience to life and help them connect with you. Applicants who can articulate their thoughts and feelings while showcasing malleability and willingness to thoughtfully consider the ideas of others will likely stand out as valuable additions to the Pomona College community. If this prompt jumps out at you because you have a very specific story to tell or opinion to voice, lean into it!

Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?

This is a classic community essay, through and through. While it’s similar to the tradition question above, it also asks you to dive deeper into a community you’re a part of and explain how they affect you (and vice versa)—with that in mind, it might be a good idea to select a different community than the one discussed in that answer! Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What traditions or aspects of your community would you like to share at Pomona? What you address can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or as specific as an ideology shared by your community theater troupe. Consider why your particular background or experience will be useful in an academic setting. How will it help inspire and/or inform others? Were you raised in an intentional community? Do you identify as a BIPOC? Have you lived on three different continents? What do you believe and how will your worldview bring something of value to the community at Pomona?

What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?

This prompt is the perfect outlet for you to showcase your more personal skills and/or quirks. If you choose to respond to this prompt, have fun with it! Maybe you’ve always had an uncanny talent for reading body language. Do your friends refer to you as a “mind reader”? Maybe you have a knack for bringing people together and making them feel included. How do you foster an inclusive environment? If nothing immediately comes to mind, try working backward: What do you want admissions to know about you? What is one trait you’re proud to embody? What kind of impact would you like to have on the world? Your answers to these questions will likely lead you to a quality response (pun intended).

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How to Get Into Pomona Guide

How to get into pomona college—general information.

Pomona College is a private college in Claremont, California. It was first established in 1887, and in 1925 it became the first of the Claremont Colleges consortium institutions. Of the five undergraduate colleges in this consortium, the Pomona acceptance rate is the lowest at 6.6%. The student body in the institution at large is just over 3,400 , and the Pomona College demographics are diverse . As of spring 2022, the total undergraduate Pomona College enrollment was 1,747.

What we’ll cover in this How to Get Into Pomona Guide:

• Pomona College GPA
• Optimal Pomona College SAT scores
• Interpreting the Pomona acceptance rate
• Pomona College demographics
• How to write the Pomona supplemental essays
• Acing the Pomona interview, and more

When thinking about how to get into Pomona College, you will want to make sure each part of your application—your GPA, test scores, Pomona interview, and Pomona supplemental essays—is of the highest quality. This means matching the average Pomona College GPA, studying well in advance to ensure strong Pomona College SAT scores, and preparing for the Pomona supplemental essays and Pomona interview. Given the low Pomona acceptance rate, you should start strategizing for the application process early to increase your chance of success.

Figuring out how to get into Pomona College takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former Pomona College admissions officers) includes Pomona graduates. Want to maximize your Pomona College admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

How can I get into Pomona?

The first thing to look at when considering Pomona College is the Pomona acceptance rate. The number of students who applied for the Pomona class of 2025 was 11,620. Of those students, just over 760 were admitted. This makes for a total Pomona acceptance rate of 6.6%. 

Like most top schools, Pomona uses a comprehensive review process . That means Pomona considers each applicant’s specific situation. The Pomona acceptance rate is low and there is no definitive formula for getting accepted, but admitted students share a passion for academics and strive to make a difference in their lives. The school’s holistic admissions process along with a commitment to global outreach explain the diverse Pomona College demographics.

If you’re wondering how to get into Pomona College, we advise you plan to exceed the average Pomona College GPA, attend your Pomona interview, and start preparing early to compete with the average Pomona College SAT scores.

Is Pomona difficult to get into?

Even though there isn’t an official minimum Pomona College SAT requirement, Pomona College is highly selective.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the college has implemented a test-optional policy for students applying for first-year Pomona College admissions for fall 2022, 2023, and 2024. However, due to the low Pomona acceptance rate, we strongly advise you to take the SAT or ACT to compete with high Pomona College SAT standards. You should aim to meet the school’s median Pomona College SAT and ACT scores —SAT EBRW: 750, SAT Math: 770, and ACT Composite: 34. 

Similarly, Pomona doesn’t officially require a minimum Pomona College GPA to apply. However, according to their 2021-2022 data , an applicant’s academic GPA is a very important factor.

To increase your chances of impressing Pomona College admissions, keep your grades high to compete with the average Pomona College GPA, study for and submit SAT and ACT scores, and contemplate your Pomona supplemental essays as early as possible.

What is the required GPA for Pomona College?

No GPA will guarantee acceptance from Pomona College admissions. Depending on the Pomona College demographics of your intake year, you could fall beneath the cut-offs whatever your GPA. However, if you want a shot at getting in, aim for a high GPA.

The average Pomona College GPA ranges from 3.8 to 4.5. Perhaps more important for Pomona College admissions than a Pomona College GPA is an applicant’s class rank. Due to the caliber of the other candidates also vying for a place at Pomona College, aim for all A’s and to graduate in the top 10% of your class. 

Don’t take easy courses just to make the grade. In addition to your academic performance, Pomona looks at the rigor of your course load. You’ll want to take honors, AP, or IB courses, and even courses at your local community college to have a chance at success in spite of the low Pomona acceptance rate. 

If you attend a school that doesn’t offer advanced courses, don’t worry. Pomona considers applicants in context, so you won’t be put at a disadvantage. The college’s commitment to recruiting students from different backgrounds and experiences further contributes to the diverse Pomona College demographics.

Are you already a junior or senior wondering how to get into Pomona College with a GPA lower than 3.8? Check out our article for advice if your grades don’t match the average Pomona College GPA.

What does the Pomona application look like?

Thinking about how to get into Pomona College? You’re probably curious about what the application process looks like. 

Like most top-tier schools, the Pomona college admissions process is comprehensive. This means many factors contribute to the low Pomona acceptance rate, not just your ability to meet the average Pomona College GPA or average Pomona SAT scores. Pomona College admissions officers want to get to know you as well as they can through your application. This is why the process is quite involved and why the Pomona College demographics reflect higher GPAs and test scores.

Before you begin, carefully think about the best way to present yourself—especially in the Pomona supplemental essays. Consider your goals, creativity, and talents. These characteristics reveal things about you that numbers cannot, which is what makes them important factors when figuring out how to get into Pomona College.

The Pomona application deadline for Early Decision I is November 15th, and the application deadline for Regular Decision is January 8th.

According to Pomona College admissions, applicants must submit :

• Either the Common Application , the Coalition for College Application , or the QuestBridge application
• $70 application fee or fee waiver
• Official high school transcripts
• School report and counselor recommendation
• Mid-year report
• Two letters of recommendation
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results if English is your second language
• Pomona supplemental essays

Wondering how to get into Pomona College? Start by collecting all of your materials well before the application deadline. For more tips on how to ace the Common App, click here .

What extracurriculars does Pomona College look for?

When thinking about how to get into Pomona College, keep in mind that your extracurriculars say a lot about you. You do not have to write about your extracurricular activities in your Pomona supplemental essays, but doing so will help the Pomona College admissions team determine whether you’re a good fit. 

Don’t take on too many extracurriculars in hope that the sheer number of your activities will impress the Pomona College admissions team. That’s not how to get into Pomona College. Aim for quality over quantity with activities that display a high level of achievement or leadership, are more exclusive, and promote growth.

When thinking about how to get into Pomona College and the impact extracurriculars have, don’t be discouraged if your school or community doesn’t provide exciting activities to choose from. Just like with available courses, Pomona views your extracurriculars in the context of what you did with the options available. This is another way the Pomona College admissions process supports higher-than-average Pomona College demographics for each incoming class.

Regardless of which school you’re trying to get into, extracurriculars matter. Check out our webinar for tips on building your extracurricular profile.

What is the acceptance rate at Pomona College?

The Pomona acceptance rate is one of the first things to consider when figuring out how to get into Pomona College. The applicant pool for the Pomona Class of 2025 was highly diverse — Pomona College demographics indicate that the student body is split equally between men and women. Students applied from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and 59 countries. Pomona accepted 766 out of 11,620 applicants, making the Pomona acceptance rate just 6.6%.

Remember, there is no official minimum Pomona College GPA, but it’s worth noting that 92.6% of the Class of 2025 ranked in the top 10% of their respective schools. Consequently, we believe that class rank is important when considering the low Pomona acceptance rate. 

Additionally, you’ll have to keep your GPA high in order to compete with the current Pomona College admissions odds. However, if you’re already at the end of your high school career with a GPA lower than 3.8, it is possible for high Pomona College SAT scores and great Pomona supplemental essays to offset a suboptimal GPA. 

Want to learn more about acceptance rates? Check out our expert  guide .

Does Pomona College offer interviews?

Another factor when considering how to get into Pomona College is the Pomona interview. The Pomona interview is optional, and less than 10% of applicants interview per cycle. If you choose not to participate in the Pomona interview you will not be put at a disadvantage. However, CollegeAdvisor.com suggests you complete all optional elements of the Pomona College admissions process, including the Pomona interview, to maximize your chances of being accepted. After all, the Pomona college demographics indicate that the school is looking for candidates from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. What better way to showcase this than through the Pomona interview?

The Pomona interview is conducted virtually with alumni. If you decide to participate, you can request your Pomona interview through the online form . The deadline to request an interview for QuestBridge and Early Decision applicants is October 11th. The Regular Decision interview request deadline is December 3rd.

When thinking about how to get into Pomona College, and how to succeed in your Pomona interview, consider the strengths that make you unique. Before the interview, prepare items for discussion such as your interests, long-term goals, as well as any questions you have.

Want interview tips straight from a former Admissions Officers? Check out our CollegeAdvisor Masterclass webinar !

How do I write a Pomona College supplemental essay?

An important component in your “how to get into Pomona College” plan should be writing strong Pomona supplemental essays. You should answer each of the three short Pomona supplemental essays thoughtfully. Since the Pomona acceptance rate is less than 7%, we suggest you set aside enough time to thoroughly write and revise each prompt. Moreover, you should write your Pomona supplemental essays authentically, and when necessary, demonstrate your understanding of Pomona College demographics. Before writing the Pomona supplemental essays, we recommend viewing our webinar on common college essay mistakes.  

These Pomona supplemental essays appear on the Pomona College admissions page :

Question 1 (word limit 150):

College is about more than your major. It’s about learning through classes, conversations, experiences, and finding connections across multiple topics. Tell us about a time recently when you became excited to learn more about something: a time when your curiosity pushed you to eagerly pursue and idea or topic further through research or discussion. 

Question 2 (word limit 200):

Pomona is committed to achieving the benefits of diversity for all students by creating a community that learns and grows together through the exchange of different lived experiences and perspectives. Our community is made up of students from diverse cultures, races, ethnicities, and linguistic backgrounds; political, religious and social views; physical abilities; home environments and socioeconomic backgrounds; hometowns and regions; and sexes, gender identities and sexual orientations. Both of the following prompts address this topic, and we ask you to respond to one of them. We give no preference, so choose the prompt that resonates the most with you. 1. We believe that everyone has something to contribute and receive from a diverse community. Why is belonging to a diverse and inclusive college community important to you? 2. Advancing diversity and inclusion (D&I) can be hard work and a continuous learning process. Tell us about how you have either recently championed D&I or how you plan to maintain a deep commitment to D&I in college.

Question 3 (word limit 200):

According to our Board of Trustees, “institutions such as Pomona College should prepare their graduates to lead lives of creative leadership and exemplary service.” How do you hope to use the knowledge you will gain in college to impact something greater than yourself, such as your family, neighborhood, community, city or society?

How does Pomona College review applications?

When considering how to get into Pomona College, most students focus on the selective Pomona acceptance rate, median Pomona College SAT scores, and average Pomona College GPA. These things matter, but Pomona admits people—not numbers.

Like most top schools, Pomona uses a holistic review process, which they outline on their Pomona College Admissions page .

Pomona College admissions considers:

• Courses taken
• Rigor of curriculum
• Letters of recommendations
• Application type
• Pomona affiliation

Instead of having minimum grade cut-offs, the college considers each of these components in the Pomona College admissions process. This comprehensive process helps increase the diversity of the impressive Pomona College demographics.

Will Pomona College consider my social media?

While thinking about how to get into Pomona College, students may worry about how their social media presence might affect their acceptance odds. However, Pomona College admissions officers tend not to look at students’ social media profiles. Since Pomona receives thousands of applications a year, the Pomona College admissions team usually doesn’t have time to look at applicants’ social media. 

This doesn’t mean, though, that you should post offensive or irresponsible content. While it may not hurt your Pomona College admissions odds, the content you post could affect you down the line. Play it safe and use your social media responsibly .

Is Pomona College the school for me?

Most students, when researching how to get into Pomona College, don’t question whether Pomona is right for them. Many are enticed by Pomona’s expert faculty, intimate classrooms, and wide range of curricula. However, as you can tell from the competitive Pomona acceptance rate, the college isn’t a good fit for everyone.

Pay attention to the Pomona College demographics and contrast them with your own needs for diversity. Ask questions in the Pomona interview about campus life, etc. You are interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you.

Like other elite schools, Pomona is a reach even for the most gifted students. The good news is, if you’re so much as considering how to get into Pomona College, you probably have the high grades and a strong student portfolio to get into such an exclusive college.

Additional tips to get into Pomona

Build your profile.

When thinking about how to get into Pomona College, remember that the school looks for students with academic drive and big plans for their futures. Well before the Pomona application deadline, develop your interests and  seize opportunities  that strengthen your profile.

Cultivate your relationships

Pomona relies on two recommendation letters to help understand who you are. So your letters are an important factor in how to get into Pomona College. During high school, build strong relationships with your teachers, counselors, coaches, and mentors.

The Pomona application deadline can sneak up on you, so  prepare  early. If you’re applying Early Decision, give yourself enough time to collect your application materials.

Finally, there’s no simple formula to get into Pomona College. Pomona wants students who think outside the box. If you determine that Pomona is a good fit, apply! Consider every aspect of Pomona College admissions–not just the average Pomona College GPA or the Pomona College SAT scores. Instead, focus on submitting the strongest application you can, and consider Pomona Early Decision if Pomona is your top choice. Good luck!

This guide was written by Amanda Rebuck. If you want to know how to get into Pomona, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from the country’s top schools. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, pomona essay tips.

Hey, guys! I'm planning to apply to Pomona next year and I was wondering if any of you had tips or advice on what to include in the essays. What are they looking for in a strong applicant? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

When it comes to writing Pomona essays, the key is to showcase your personality, interests, and passions while also highlighting how you would contribute to the campus community. Here are some tips to help you write strong essays for Pomona:

1. Be authentic: Pomona values authenticity and individuality, so it's essential to let your genuine voice shine through in your essays. Avoid using clichés or trying to sound overly intellectual. Instead, focus on revealing the person behind the application.

2. Do your research: Familiarize yourself with Pomona's core values, academic programs, and extracurricular offerings. This will help you identify areas where your interests and goals align with what the college has to offer. Demonstrating your knowledge of the college and providing specific examples in your essays will show that you're genuinely interested in attending Pomona.

3. Reflect on your experiences and values: A key component of Pomona's application essays is self-reflection. Consider what experiences have shaped your worldview, values, and aspirations, and use these insights to tell a compelling story in your essays. This will not only make your essays more engaging but also provide a glimpse into what makes you unique.

4. Showcase your intellectual curiosity: Pomona is known for its rigorous academics and tight-knit intellectual community. In your essays, illustrate your love of learning, how you've pursued your intellectual interests, and what you hope to explore further at Pomona.

5. Be specific: When writing your essays, be specific about how you see yourself contributing to and benefiting from the Pomona community. Avoid general statements like "I want to attend Pomona because it offers a diverse and inclusive environment." Instead, provide concrete examples of what you hope to gain from the Pomona experience and how you envision participating in the college's academic, extracurricular, and cultural life.

6. Proofread and revise: Don't underestimate the importance of editing and proofreading your essays. A polished essay with clear organization and flawless grammar reflects your dedication to the application process and attention to detail.

7. Seek feedback: It's always helpful to seek input from others when working on your essays. Ask teachers, counselors, or trusted friends for feedback on your essay content, tone, and clarity. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

Finally, check out CollegeVine's breakdown for advice on tackling the Pomona supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-pomona-college-essays

Remember, a strong essay will effectively convey your character, interests, and fit with Pomona. By following these tips, you can showcase your unique qualities and make a memorable impression on the admissions committee. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

2 Strong Pomona College Essay Examples

Pomona College is one of the five Claremont Colleges in Claremont, California. It is a small, highly-selective school, so it’s important to write strong essays to help your application stand out. In this post, we’ll go over two essays that real students submitted to Pomona College, and outline their strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Alexandra Johnson , an expert advisor on CollegeVine, provided commentary on this post. Advisors offer one-on-one guidance on everything from essays to test prep to financial aid. If you want help writing your essays or feedback on drafts, book a consultation with Alexandra Johnson or another skilled advisor.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Pomona essay breakdown for a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental essays.

Essay Example #1

Prompt: We believe that everyone has something to contribute and receive from a diverse community. Why is belonging to a diverse and inclusive college community important to you? (200 words)

‘It’s almost bland! How’s that possible? But it looks good’, I thought as I tasted the jollof rice. All my 40-minute efforts were wasted due to just a missing piece: salt. 

This experience engraved in me the appreciation of diversity in any successful environment. Whenever I get to any community, I see the community as a whole dish that’s to be made with different ingredients: people. To a casual onlooker, my perspective may appear inconsequential, but as it’s said: ‘the proportion of ingredients is important, but the final result is also a matter of how you put them together. Equilibrium is key’. My inclination towards diversity isn’t just contained to my culinary habits—it’s a recurring theme throughout my life. Raised in a diversified socio-cultural environment—Nairobi, a haven of 250+ tribes and languages—I have learned to respect, interact, and love others despite their backgrounds. Diversity opens doors for me to grow as I learn about people’s differences, hearing their stories and appreciating their backgrounds. It’s in doing so that the ‘dish’ becomes delectable. At Pomona, I look forward to meeting a tight-knit Sagehen-permeated community of tasty ‘ingredients’ (‘salt’ included) where I’ll be embraced as a vital ingredient: me.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay did a great job of sharing how the student has encountered diversity before and what they have learned from these experiences. The student mentions that they grew up in an environment with “250+ tribes and languages.” Then, they detail how they’ve learned to “respect, interact, and love others despite their backgrounds.” By including what they’ve learned, the writer shows how they thrive in a diverse environment and further, how they will contribute diversity to Pomona College’s campus. 

The writer also has a great idea for a theme about recipes that ties into why diversity is important. They mention how having every ingredient in jollof rice is essential to the dish turning out well; similarly, they say that diversity on campus is important to promote learning. This theme is creative, and it allows the writer to include an activity they enjoy, cooking, in the essay. By including a brief story about cooking, the writer also has a great first sentence: “It’s almost bland! How’s that possible?” This dialogue catches the reader’s attention, and it gets the reader excited to read the essay. Try including a unique first sentence like this in your own essay! 

What Could Be Improved 

While the first line does well as a hook, the writer could have elaborated a little more on their ideas in the first paragraph. They could have improved this by sharing more about why they were making this recipe and how often they cook. Sharing details like this would allow the reader to learn more about the student and their interests. 

Similarly, the student could have shared more about themselves and how diversity has directly impacted them. They begin to do this when they talk about growing up with many tribes and languages and how it taught them lessons about respect for those who are different. However, the essay would be stronger if the reader gave an example of a time when they learned to respect someone with a different background. An example would provide the reader with a better idea of how the writer interacts with those who are different than them, as well as what the writer has gained from diversity and wants to gain from the diverse environment at Pomona College. 

Essay Example #2

Prompt:   What gets you excited about your academic interest selection(s) above? (300 words) 

Saved in the Notes app on my phone are three questions: What can I know? What must I do? What may I hope for? First asked by Immanuel Kant, these questions guide my pursuit of knowledge and organization of critical thought, both skills that are necessary to move our country and society forward in the right direction. As I am deeply passionate about political reform, I believe that a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics education will provide me the opportunity to understand the systemic problems in our country and devise effective solutions. 

What can I know? Over the past years, I have been primed to memorize and regurgitate information. But to me, learning is not just about filling my mind with information; I crave an understanding of how to think critically about the things I know. I am particularly excited about taking the Political Philosophy and Ethical Theory courses at Pomona to ask the “Why does this matter?” question for information I learn. A multidisciplinary education will enable me to gain new knowledge and use it productively. 

What must I do? I plan to pursue a career in the field of law, representing underprivileged members of society such as undocumented immigrants. Therefore, I believe that action beyond words is most important to giving people the justice they deserve. An education at Pomona would allow me to learn from professors such as Professor John Seery, who has had hands-on political experience working in Washington D.C. and serving as a city commissioner. Through the staff at Pomona, I will learn to use my knowledge as a vehicle for political activism. 

What may I hope for? I am motivated to learn how to examine challenges holistically and help create a better America. Attending Pomona will be the first step to achieving this goal.

This essay takes an unconventional approach; rather than being more anecdotal, the author takes a famous philosopher’s questions and applies it to their own life. By bringing in a quotation by Immanuel Kant, they subliminally allude that they are familiar with his work and highlight their passion for philosophy from the get-go. Though less personal on the surface, the connections they draw between the inquiries and their own goals allows their personality to shine through.

Structuring their essay around the three Kant quotes is a nice way to bring a clear order and flow to the essay. The reader knows exactly what to expect from each paragraph. These quotes are also a nice choice because they naturally set up three very important aspects of a “ Why Major? ” essay: academics, extracurriculars, and career aspirations. 

This student connected their academic interests to Pomona, going above and beyond the prompt. Even when you are not explicitly asked to discuss how you will explore your academic interests in college, including resources at the school and explaining how they will further your passion demonstrates 1) you have done research and 2) you would easily fit right in! Although they could have gone into more detail connecting the class and professor to them, just including these opportunities is a wise choice.

What Could Be Improved

This essay has a good premise, but it could be tightened up in a few areas. The first thing would be to be more specific about how and why this student wants to change the world. The quotes make for a perfect set up of them explaining a singular societal issue they learned about that deeply impacted them (“ What can I know “), describing actions they have taken already to address that problem (“ What can I do “), and discussing opportunities at Pomona that help them make a larger difference after graduation (“ What may I hope for “). This would have had a far stronger impression on the reader than the more general sentences currently being used.

Another way this essay could improve would be by establishing more concrete connections between the Pomona resources and their interest. Telling us, “ An education at Pomona would allow me to learn from professors such as Professor John Seery, who has had hands-on political experience working in Washington D.C. and serving as a city commissioner”  is good, but why does this student want to learn from someone who has served as city commissioner? Something like this would’ve been useful: “ Under Professor Seery’s wing, I will piece together the most useful policies for protecting undocumented immigrants so when I get to Capitol Hill I can introduce productive legislation.” 

Finally, under the current structure of this essay, there is an imbalance between the three quotes. While they flesh out what they know and do with details about themself and the school, they use the third quote as a snappy conclusion. This leaves arguably the most revealing question without any concrete answer. To solve this, they could have cut down on the introduction a bit to make space to further elaborate on what they hope to achieve with concrete examples.

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Want feedback like this on your Pomona College essay before you submit? We offer expert essay review by advisors who have helped students get into their dream schools. You can book a review with an expert to receive notes on your topic, grammar, and essay structure to make your essay stand out to admissions officers.

Haven’t started writing your essay yet? Advisors on CollegeVine also offer expert college counseling packages . You can purchase a package to get one-on-one guidance on any aspect of the college application process, including brainstorming and writing essays.

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Pomona Supplemental #1

For the first supplemental question about being excited to learn something, does it have to be academic? I want to write about my hobby but it doesn’t really relate to my intended major. Also this prompt is new so I couldn’t find a decent example ;-;

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Your Ultimate Guide to Last Minute Essays

Essay due tomorrow? Just started? Let us help. 

Step 1. Self-Control App. Download it now.

If you don’t know what this is, google it and download it as fast as you possibly can. Trust me. Because no matter how many times you promise yourself you won’t get on Facebook, let’s be honest: that website is irresistible when you are trying to write an essay. Heck, have a field day. Block StumbleUpon, Twitter, and whatever other sites you might be into these days, and block them until your essay is submitted. Just get off the internet. You’d be amazed how productive you can be.

Step 2. Take a deep breath.

You can’t do anything if you can’t breathe, and I bet you won’t be writing much if all you can think about is how stressed you are. Just take five minutes (I promise five minutes won’t destroy your chance at finishing) and refocus. Eat a snack, play your favorite song, sing into a hairbrush, dance around, it doesn’t really matter. Let your brain, and your body, relax. You are no good to yourself paralyzed by anxiety.

Step 3. Ready, begin!

Start by outlining your argument. And if you don’t outline, that’s okay, because it doesn’t need to be a full or detailed list of what you’re going to say and when you’re going to say it. If that’s not normally a part of your process, don’t do it. Instead, spend as much time as you need to explore the topic so that you won’t get to the third page and realize you were wrong or didn’t prove your thesis. That’s the other thing; state your thesis. Underline it, circle it, and highlight it. Make sure you understand exactly what you are arguing, because forgetting your thesis is the best way to waste time. It doesn’t matter what your essay is: yes, you do need a thesis statement. Figure out exactly what you want it to be, and then make sure you can support it. Find a couple quotes now, and make a note of where they came from.

Step 4. Write like the wind.

You don’t have a lot of time, so make it count. Keep your outlined notes in front of you, and type out your ideas as they come. Do not, I repeat, do not get stuck on word choice or spelling mistakes. Get your ideas out, and, no matter how ugly they might look, wait and copy-edit at the end. Working through grammatical errors will only distract you from what’s really important, which is proving your thesis. Keep checking in at the beginning of each paragraph: how does this relate to my thesis? Moreover, don’t let yourself get bogged down with organization. If you are having trouble with structure, go back to the basics:

• Topic sentence: How does this relate to my thesis?
• Lead into the quote
• Quote (and cite the source)
• Analyze the quote
• But don’t you dare just repeat your topic sentence!

Step 5. Edit.

Check your argument to make sure you stuck with the prompt and your thesis. Double-check your evidence to see that you supported your point. See if your organization makes sense, and that you included some transition sentences between paragraphs so it flows. Now, copy-edit. Check for repetitious word choice, tense shifts, grammar, and spell-check. If you can delete any words from a sentence, do it. Repeat, as many times as you can, until you submit your essay.

Step 6. Sleep.

Job well done, so take a well-deserved nap.

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