Pomona Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Pomona is 6.6%.  Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in California and the 13th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Pomona and can you get accepted?

Pomona is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 771 out of the 11,620 who applied were admitted.

The school has exceptionally high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 2 percent on standardized admission tests. Pomona College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.89. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 58% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Pomona?

7% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Pomona College you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.89 or better
• Earn A- grades in high school
• Score 1520 on the SAT
• Score 34 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
• Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into Pomona College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Pomona are to have around a 3.89 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Pomona extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.89 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.89 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Pomona is 3.89 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #12 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Pomona is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.89 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Pomona College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 37% of students submitted SAT scores and 29% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Pomona College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Pomona is 1520 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1470-1570. Students who get into Pomona College score in the top 2 percent of all SAT test takers..  Pomona ranks #3 in the state of California and #12 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1520 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Pomona regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1470 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1470, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1420, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Pomona College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1520 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1520, you have around a 7% chance of being admitted. A 1570 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 13% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Pomona?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Pomona is 34, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 33 and 35.  The school ranks #3 in California and #5 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 34. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 33 and score in the score in the top 2 percent nationally.

29 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Pomona College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Pomona College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Pomona for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 34 score has around 7% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 13% with a 35 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

93% of Pomona College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Pomona College is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Pomona College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Pomona is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.89 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1520 on the SAT and optimally 1570 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 34 to have the best chance of getting in.