Dear Diana,

We know this time of year is especially busy for high school seniors. We have been busy as well, traveling the U.S. and to foreign countries, speaking with students such as you about Pomona College and the application process. With the questions we’ve recently received in mind, we’ve compiled a list of six tips to consider as you prepare for that exhilarating moment when you hit “submit".
 
Tell your truth. At Pomona, diversity of experiences is at the core of our institutional identity. Your application gives you the opportunity to talk about who you are, to delve into your background and explore how you’ve come to be the person you are today, as well as writing about what excites you intellectually. 
 
Bring us into your world. We want to know you. We want to know your truth. We don’t expect you to share everything with us; read the essay prompts and select a focus. Whatever prompt you choose or what you write, be proud of the application you’ve put together and what you’ve decided to share.
 
Share your passions. Touring the country, we are frequently asked why there are no word limits on the Pomona-specific essay. While we can share with you that 10-page essays or a single paragraph aren't what we're looking for, we also encourage students to look past word limits to truly take advantage of this essay.
 
The Pomona-specific essay is an opportunity for us to learn about your intellectual curiosity and for you to explore the topic for yourselves.  Don't write what you think we want to hear; write what you truly want to learn. Consider this essay a chance to ask the questions you lay awake at night pondering or explore the concepts that excite you but that never get covered in your courses.
 
Fill in the gaps. Once we read through every page of your application we won’t know everything about you, not even close. Every single part of your application is a limited opportunity for you to share a different aspect of yourself. Use it! Instead of repeating information, use the space to share different interests, ideas and experiences that you own.

For some of you, this also means utilizing a seriously undervalued part of the application: the additional information section. When we read through your entire application, trying to understand how the parts fit together to form a whole you, we can make assumptions if we need to fill in some blanks. Are there any personal or academic circumstances you have not explained? Is there an aspect of your application that might raise a red flag but has a perfectly good explanation? Do you have passions that can’t be detailed in the limited space provided or that you haven’t addressed in your essays? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, think about using the additional information section to fill in the gaps. 
 
Everything counts.  This may sound overwhelming, but holistic admissions means that we read your entire application closely–the whole thing. Every essay, each short answer, and all the check marks.

Admissions officers are often asked, “What part of my application is most important?” It’s a fair question, but the answer truly is: all of it. We care about your transcript–what classes were offered in your high school, which classes did you decide to take, and what grades did you earn in those classes? We care about what you do outside of school, including babysitting siblings, working at a part-time job, volunteering at your church/temple/mosque, playing on a sports team, or writing code on weekends. Be sure to read over every part of your application to make certain it is correct and complete. 
 
Proofread, proofread, then proofread again.  Don’t skip this crucial step. Writing is an essential skill you will use and develop in college; we hope you will graduate with the ability to think critically and to articulate yourself well in person and on paper. Meanwhile, every part of the application is an opportunity to showcase your writing abilities. Proper capitalization and punctuation help make your truth clear to us.

Read your application out loud if that helps you process it better and spot errors. Just make sure that you're taking your time and putting in your best effort. Also, it’s immensely helpful to consult a second reader, like a trusted teacher or mentor.
 
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The Director of Admissions at Pomona was recently traveling throughout the southern United States, meeting with prospective students. A family he met asked what Pomona students eat when they are on campus. The family did not know that “room and board” meant that a bedroom and meals are provided by Pomona. That is a completely understandable question. For many students, there will be times throughout this process when you run into something you don’t quite understand or that confuses you, and you are not alone. So send us an email. Pick up the phone and give us a call. You won’t be the first to have a question, and you definitely won’t be the last.
 
Please feel welcome to reach out to our office at (909) 621-8134 or email us with any questions.

Best,
Pomona College Diversity Team
Ashley Pallie, Associate Dean of Admissions
Michelle Gonzalez, Assistant Dean of Admissions
Frances Nan '12, Assistant Dean of Admissions                                               
Jazzmin Estebane, Admissions Officer
Tieisha Tift, Admissions Officer
Rhosheil Chavez-Uy, Administrative Assistant

This email was sent to dianaaudrey@gmail.com by Pomona College Admissions Diversity Team.
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