Pomona College in Claremont, California, welcomes transfer applications from individuals who have attended community colleges, public and international universities, private colleges, and those with military backgrounds. The institution values the diverse experiences transfer students contribute to its academic and social environment. Stephen Smith, an alumnus from the class of 2017, transferred to Pomona and noted that the supportive professors and environment served as the catalyst for launching NOCD, an online OCD therapy company that raised $12 million. Pomona partners with the Honors Transfer Council of California to support honors community college students and provides special assistance to applicants who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.

The transfer application deadline is February 15. Applicants are notified of admissions decisions by April 9, and the transfer reply date is June 1. Supporting documents, such as transcripts and recommendations, may be submitted until March 5. Applicants are encouraged to submit the Mid-Term Report or Curriculum Report after February 15 but before March 5 to present their most recent grades. Transfer students are admitted exclusively for fall entry. All individuals who complete the college requirements receive a decision of admission, non-admission, placement on a waiting list, or application withdrawal. Applicants who submit an application via the Common Application or Apply Coalition on Scoir, along with a transcript (official, unofficial, or self-reported), are eligible for committee review. The admissions office notifies students of missing components at least twice before committee review and provides a self-service application portal for tracking documents. Final official transcripts are required for enrollment if conditionally admitted.

Applicants who complete at least one full year of college work by their expected enrollment date must apply as transfer students. Those who complete coursework through early college programs or finish less than one year of college must apply as first-year applicants. Pomona admits transfer students as sophomores or juniors, and they must spend at least four full-time semesters at the college to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Applications from individuals who already possess a bachelor degree are not accepted. Admitted transfer students receive a course credit evaluation alongside their admission offer and can transfer a maximum of 16 course credits. Credits generally transfer if they come from a regionally accredited institution, involve matriculated students, earn a grade of C or better, and correspond to a comparable course offered at The Claremont Colleges. Pomona accepted online courses taken for credit during enforced periods of remote learning. Regular Pomona courses span a semester and carry 4 credits, while quarter or trimester systems use a specific conversion chart.

Application requirements include submitting either the Common Application or Apply Coalition on Scoir, with no preference given to either platform. A one-time, non-refundable application fee of $80 is required, though applicants requesting financial aid who face financial hardship can complete the Pomona Access Pass form to waive the fee without additional documentation. Inquiries can be sent to transfer@pomona.edu. Official transcripts must be sent from every attended college or university, alongside an official final high school or secondary school transcript showing graduation date or official GED documentation. Transcripts must be mailed or emailed by registrars or submitted through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse. A College Report or Transfer Report must be completed by the current or most recent registrar or transfer adviser. This requirement applies even if the applicant is on a leave of absence, to evaluate academic standing and eligibility to return.

Applicants must submit two academic evaluations completed by college course instructors, though teaching assistant recommendations are acceptable. Recommenders can upload evaluations through the application platform, or mail and email them directly to the admissions office. An optional third recommendation from an employer, volunteer coordinator, or high school teacher may also be submitted, though applications can be read with just one evaluation. A Mid-Term Report or Curriculum Report is required to review current academic performance, featuring in-progress grades and professor contact information. Unenrolled applicants can request a waiver of this report through their applicant portal.

Essays allow applicants to showcase their fit within Pomona’s collaborative culture through their own voice. The Pomona-specific essay prompts comprise an academic interest statement of up to 400 words, a short-response essay of up to 150 words, and a longer-response essay of up to 250 words. The academic interest statement asks what draws the applicant to their selected major and how the liberal arts and sciences environment enhances that exploration. The short-response essay asks students to reflect on a community they belong to and the values they would bring to Pomona, describe an outside-the-classroom experience that changed their thinking or peer engagement, or share how a person or group in their life would describe them. The Common Application personal essay is collected as part of the Pomona-specific requirements and can follow any standard prompt.

Test scores are completely optional. SAT or ACT scores are not required, but applicants may choose to self-report them. Official score reports are only requested after admission. Mailed documents should be sent to the Pomona College Office of Admissions, 333 N. College Way, Claremont, CA 91711. International transfer applicants follow the same application deadline as domestic students. They are eligible for financial aid meeting 100 percent of demonstrated need, but they must apply for aid at the time of their admission application. Non-English transcripts require official translations. If English is not the primary language of instruction in secondary school, applicants must submit official or self-reported results from the TOEFL (including iBT, iBT Special Home Edition, or ITP Plus for China Solution), IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Pomona does not offer English as a Second Language or remedial programs. When planning your application timeline and Ivy League strategies, make sure to review all distinct institutional deadlines and prerequisites carefully. For more details, consult the course catalog, international FAQs, or check the official portal.

News is prepared from public university announcements for general guidance. Policies change frequently; confirm current details with each university admissions office.