Introducing the Pomona College Class of 2028

This year’s group impressed the admissions committee in every way,” says Adam Sapp, assistant vice president and director of admissions. “Our admitted students demonstrated the intellectual curiosity and commitment to academic excellence we value at Pomona College. This class is full of probing thinkers, creative learners and committed community-builders—individuals who will bring a rich, broad set of experiences to the Pomona classroom and beyond.

One of those outstanding individuals is QuestBridge Scholar Karen Magaña-Aguilera. Growing up in the rural agricultural community of Mecca, California, Magaña-Aguilera found her motivation to help others succeed by volunteering and tutoring at her former elementary school. There, she assisted with translating homework for students and teaching English. She is looking forward to studying English and Spanish at Pomona in preparation for improving educational outcomes for children as a teacher.

Magaña-Aguilera will be joined by Is Wilhelm from Atlanta, Georgia. Wilhelm is looking forward to the interdisciplinary education opportunities at Pomona. With interests in biotechnology, they are looking forward to double-majoring in environmental analysis and art while conducting research through The Claremont Colleges’ plant biology program. Wilhelm is eager to pair science with art, linguistics and history.

In addition, the College admitted 35 transfer students who selected 22 different first-choice majors. Thirteen of the admitted transfer students are first-generation-to-college, 66% are transferring from a community college, with 48.6% of those admitted transferring from a community college in California. They were admitted from nine states and one country outside the U.S. Our newly admitted transfer cohort has associations with a range of community-based organizations, including the Milaan Foundation, TRIO Talent Search, and LEDA (Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America). Four military veterans were admitted through the transfer process this year. Four of these admitted military veterans are affiliated with Service to School (S2S), two with the Warrior Scholar Project, and the admitted veterans represent three branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: the Army, Marine Corps and Navy.

To reach a deep and talented pool of prospective applicants, Pomona admissions officers traveled throughout the U.S. and around the world to meet students in person, while also continuing to engage with virtual programming. They visited more than 430 high schools in 40 states and 21 countries and interacted with nearly 4,000 students via online events. In all, Pomona admissions officers hosted or met with more than 28,000 students, counselors and family members. Alumni played a key role in recruiting the class as well, hosting interviews around the country and the world.

Pomona’s commitment to increasing access bore fruit, with two admitted students from surrounding Los Angeles communities having participated in the Pomona Academy for Youth Success (PAYS), an intensive, three-year college preparation program run by the College’s Draper Center for Community Partnerships. One hundred sixteen admitted students reported working with a community-based organization, including Chicago Scholars, College Match L.A., EMERGE Houston, Palouse Pathways, The Academy Group and Thrive Scholars. In addition, 17 students in the Class of 2028 were matched through Pomona’s partnership with QuestBridge, and 20 students were admitted through the Posse Foundation.

To increase equity and access for all applicants, the College adopted a test-optional policy during 2020, which extended through Fall 2024. The College’s faculty voted at the end of last year to make the policy permanent. Applying under the test-optional policy, 55% of this year’s applicants submitted a standardized test score (ACT or SAT).

Priscilla Matthews, from Lihue, Hawaii, plans to pursue a degree in international relations and public policy analysis at Pomona. Her deep interest in law blossomed during her time as a legislative intern for the Keiki Caucus Legislative program and internship with Pomona alumnus and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz ’94 in her junior and senior years of high school. Aspiring to become a lawyer, she hopes to specialize in family law, with the ultimate goal of becoming a child advocate attorney.

Cedar Wine, from Niwot, Colorado, is drawn to Pomona to gain knowledge and experience for a future career as a doctor. He is focusing his sights on Pomona’s Science, Technology and Society program, where he is interested in exploring interdisciplinary approaches to health and medicine, conducting research on social and geographic inequities, and learning while serving Indigenous communities.

All admitted students will be invited to visit campus April 15 for Admitted Students Day, which will highlight the many resources and opportunities at Pomona and The Claremont Colleges. This day of celebration and learning will provide opportunities to meet fellow admitted students, engage with current students and faculty, attend a class and explore Pomona’s campus.

“The admissions committee worked hard to assemble a class we are confident will flourish on campus,” says Raymond A. Brown, interim vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid. “Our newly admitted students are already asking big questions and working hard to have a transformative impact on their communities. We know they will bring a spirit of inclusivity and a penchant for creativity to Pomona this fall.”