Perspectives on Pomona (POP)

Program Details

The on-campus program will be hosted from Sunday, October 4 to Tuesday, October 6 on Pomona’s campus in Claremont, California.

Applicants interested in the on-campus Fall POP program must submit an application to be considered for both the on-campus and virtual programs by Monday, August 10. Once applications are submitted and reviewed, we will notify applicants via email if they are invited to attend the on-campus or virtual program dates.

Participants selected to attend the on-campus program are provided funding that covers transportation, lodging, and meals for the duration of the program. 

Program Details

The two virtual programs will consist of one half-day remote session. Applicants selected to participate in the virtual program may attend either the evening of Thursday, October 22 or the morning of Saturday, October 24.

To be considered for the virtual program exclusively, you must submit your application to the virtual program by Monday, September 28. Once applications are submitted and reviewed, we will notify applicants if they are invited to attend the virtual program. 

Applying is simple! We do not ask for letters of recommendation, test scores, honors/awards, or extracurricular activities. We are eager to learn about your educational journey in this process, and as such, encourage you to apply to the best of your ability.

On-Campus Program

To complete your application for the on-campus program, you will need to submit the following by August 10, 2026:

1. Completed application, including all *Required questions. Be sure to select the "2027 Fall POP Application".
2. An unofficial high school transcript that includes final grades from 9-11th grades.
3. Anticipated list of 12th grade courses. They do not have to be final ones but an idea of what courses you will be taking this fall.
4. Required short essay response between 150-250 words:

Considering your background and self-identity, engaging across varied perspectives can be a continuous learning process and a rewarding experience. Tell us about your perspective and how you have or will commit to engaging with people from different perspectives.

Virtual Program

To complete your application for the virtual program, you will need to submit the following by September 28, 2026:

1. Completed application, including all *Required questions. Be sure to select the "2027 Fall POP Application".
2. An unofficial high school transcript that includes final grades from 9-11th grades.
3. Anticipated list of 12th grade courses. They do not have to be final ones but an idea of what courses you will be taking this fall.

Who is eligible to apply for Pomona’s fly-in programs?

• We welcome all seniors attending high school in the United States, including undocumented and DACA students, to consider applying for Pomona’s fly-in programs Perspectives on Pomona (POP).

Is the program open to international students?

• Due to the timing of the program, we cannot fund travel to visit Pomona during the POP program for students living outside of the United States.

What is the cost of applying to POP?

• Applying to POP is free for both the on-campus and virtual programs!

What is the cost of participating in POP?

• Participation in POP is free for both on-campus and virtual program participants.
• For on-campus program participants, we cover costs of transportation (flights or shuttles from the airport to campus), meals (catered and dining hall), and lodging (with a current student host) for the duration of the program. Participants can choose to have Pomona College prepay all expenses upfront or pay themselves and be reimbursed later.

Why do I need to submit my transcript?

• We look for evidence that applicants are academically prepared for Pomona College in our evaluation process, and we refer to this Valued Quality as “Intellectually Capable & Academically Committed.” To gain a complete understanding of your academic achievements, we require you submit your unofficial high school transcript that includes 9-11th grades. This will help us evaluate the coursework you've undertaken, the level of challenge you've sought, and your success in your studies thus far.

Do I have to submit an official high school transcript?

• No. We accept official and unofficial transcripts, as well as a “Self-Reported Transcript” PDF document within the application if you do not have access to your transcript.

What if I don't have an official list of senior classes?

• We understand that some schools may not have finalized course selections by the POP application deadline. If you have a preliminary list of the classes you intend to take during your senior year, please feel free to include it in the application. This will give us a better sense of your academic interests and goals.

What is the short essay prompt, and how long should my response be?

• A short essay response is only required of students applying for the on-campus program option. Within 150-250 words, on-campus applicants must answer: 
  
  Considering your background and self-identity, engaging across varied perspectives can be a continuous learning process and a rewarding experience. Tell us about your perspective and how you have or will commit to engaging with people from different perspectives. 

What are the benefits of being a POP participant who then applies to Pomona College?

• A fee waiver for Pomona's admission application fee is provided to all students who participate in POP. Programming also includes guidance on preparing an application for admission to Pomona directly from leading members of the Admissions Team.

When will decisions for on-campus and virtual programs be released?

• POP applicants selected to participate in the on-campus program will be notified of our decision by the first week of September 2026.
• POP applicants selected to participate in either virtual program will be notified by the first week of October 2026.

What type of identification will I need to fly in for the POP program?

• Federal regulations require that passengers who are 18 and older must present valid identification such as a REAL ID, U.S. passport, Enhanced Tribal Card, or permanent resident card at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. For a full list of acceptable identification, please refer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website.
• Students under the age of 18 may present any form of picture ID at the airport checkpoint to travel.
• For undocumented students who would like additional clarification on traveling to Pomona College, please email access@pomona.edu so our program coordinators may provide further guidance.

Does not being selected for POP on-campus program mean that I wouldn’t be admitted to Pomona College?

• The POP on-campus program is highly selective due to limited space. While many qualified students apply, we have a limited number of Pomona College student hosts. However, don't let this discourage you as students admitted to both programs are academically qualified for admissions to the College! We offer two virtual programs that provide similar engagement with our community and resources- ensuring a fulfilling experience regardless of the format.

Who should I contact for additional information?

• You can email access@pomona.edu to reach the planning team for POP.