Pomona College this week unveiled details about the group of talented students who make up its Class of 2029. The College received a record 12,470 applications for the newest class of Sagehens. Twenty-four percent of the class are first-generation students and will be the first in their family to earn a college degree—another record for the College.
The members of Pomona’s newest class represent 41 U.S. states and 26 countries. International citizens represent 15% of the class, while 55% are self-identified domestic students of color. Pomona College continues to draw students from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, offering opportunities to learn and grow through engagement with peers, faculty, staff, and community members who bring a rich diversity of viewpoints and experiences.
More than half of Pomona’s incoming class (61%) received financial aid. The total amount of largely endowment-funded grants awarded to the class of 2029 amounted to $19.9M. The aid awarded by the College is in the form of grants and student employment that are not required to be paid back.
“Pomona College’s mission remains unchanged. We continue to seek talented applicants from all backgrounds and strive for a student population that meaningfully reflects our nation’s democratic strengths and values,” says Jonathan Williams, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid. “Pomona has always been a place where our students’ ability, promise and character matter.”
Pomona is one of fewer than 20 institutions that admits students regardless of their family’s ability to pay, meets 100% of their demonstrated financial need, and does not package loans in financial aid.
“The College is among a select group to provide access to higher education for domestic students on a need-blind basis. This is critical in our mission to seek out the most talented students regardless of financial need or circumstance,” adds Williams. “Pomona’s financial aid makes an exceptional private higher education accessible to students in the U.S.”
This incoming class brings to campus a variety of academic interests. Thirty percent of the class is interested in the natural sciences, followed by 21% in humanities, 21% in the social sciences and 20% in interdisciplinary fields. The remaining 9% are undecided. Pomona College permanently adopted a standardized test-optional policy in 2023. Of this year’s incoming class, 48% submitted standardized testing scores while 52% did not.
Pomona’s partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) continue to be crucial in enrolling students from all backgrounds. Thirty-five students in this year’s class engaged with a CBO. In addition, the Class of 2029 includes 25 QuestBridge Match Scholars (another College record) and 19 Posse Scholars.
Pomona’s admissions process reviews the whole student to identify what makes them stand out academically and personally in a competitive pool of applicants. Through its contextual review process and committee-based evaluation processes, the College makes sure no admissions decision is based on a single piece of information.
Based on the College’s valued qualities, Pomona’s Office of Admissions looks for students with different talents and perspectives to foster excitement and innovation once they arrive on campus.