momofgrowingkids

DS wants to apply ED. What do you think?

His SAT1 and GPA are within Pomona's bounds (2240 and 3.8 UW). He didn't study much for the SAT2 and got two 670s (Math II and Bio). Kind of ironic because he got a 780 in Math SAT1 and a 5 on the AP BIO.

DS plans to take the SAT2 again this week (literature), but hasn't studied so I don't anticipate amazing results.

DS will have strong teacher recs and, yes, has taken the hardest classes offered at his school. DS's interest (what fulfills him and distracts him from studying for standardized tests. . .) is music. He is a very good singer/songwriter (but doesn't have awards or such). He sings in a fine regional choir. He is a two sport varsity athlete (but far from a star). He has had a job, does community service, has co-founded a club. . . the ususal stuff.

We live in California. Although he goes to a modest income inner-city school, we are white and he won't be eligible for finacial aid.

What do you think? Should he apply ED or wait and see if he could polish up his resume?

m0baik01

My S is almost identical to yours. 3.85 UW GPA 2240 sat heavily into music. He is applying RD. I would be interested to here what people say. His subject test is 780 Math level II, 730 Bio and 700 Lit. Not going to retake it. There is just no time....

momofgrowingkids

You son's SAT2s are stronger . . .I think he would have a much better chance.

Little Mother

If Pomona is your S's #1 choice, then I would encourage him to apply ED. That definitely demonstrates his desire to attend the school. He can continue to apply RD to other institutions if their deadlines occur between the ED deadline and notification dates. Just because his scores fall below the average, do remember that it's an average - Pomona accepts students with scores both above and below that number.

Good luck!

SDonCC

fwiw, the acceptance rate for males is alot higher than females at Pomona. go the common data set and figure it out. I recall it was 20% and females was 13%!! but i don't have my work in front of me.

FauxNom

Yes, it's 20% for males, with no data available for the breakdown between ED and RD. That said, it didn't help my son when he was waitlisted 2 years ago with near perfect SATs and SAT II's, a lower GPA and good ECs. I don't think he showed enough interest; missed the interview deadline, applied at the last minute. He's now so happy he didn't get in, because he is so happy at USC.

Is it just me, or has the ED deadline passed already? Are you talking about next year?

momofgrowingkids

S would apply ED2 for admission in fall 2010. That deadline is still upcoming. FauxNom, glad to hear that your S is happy at USC.

S really wants to go to Pomona, but part of me is worrying about "wasting" the ED chance on a school that won't admit him. S has some other good choices that, maybe, he should be focusing on if his odds at Pomona are very low.

Does anyone have any data about SAT2 scores at Pomona? I couldn't find any.

journey919

My D applied ED1 with most scores below the median. Pomona admits a comparatively small percentage of its class ED, so yes, I do think her decision was not the most strategic. But Pomona was her absolute favorite so, strategic or not, I am glad she went for it. She showed a lot of interest and put everything she could into her application. I guess if there had been another school she liked almost as much as Pomona, I would have asked her to reconsider, but given the circumstances, this was a good choice.

FauxNom

mom of kids - I wouldn't consider it a waste, if it's truly where he would love to be and you can afford it. His stats are within range, and he might consider contacting the music people, or a Pomona coach to see if they will offer support for his application. If he doesn't get in, there's always EDII at many other great LACs. I was a little reluctant to have my D apply ED this year, because she has a shot at merit aid at some other schools she really likes, and probably won't get much - if anything - in the way of FA at Pomona. She had to forego some of those merit aid options, but she is utterly in love with the idea of attending Pomona.

cbreeze

If you S truly loves Pomona, it would not be a mistake to go for ED2.
My D applied ED, was accepted, loved Pomona, and now having graduated a number of years still considers Pomona years as one of the happiest periods in her life.

Little Mother

Same with my D who graduated just last spring!

pianomom

If Pomona is his number one school and you know that you can work out the cost, I would say that applying EDII certainly shows his strong interest and commitment to attend. Fewer males apply and they select for an even gender class so this gives him a little advantage. His stats are right in there with accepted students so encourage him to present himself as genuinely as possible. Google all of the Bruce Poch articles and you'll get some clues as to what the readers are looking for in the applicant files. Our son has a fair number of friends who are from CA so it must not be impossible. Please make sure he puts effort into a match/safety school that will also make him happy. He looks like an interesting and strong candidate so I'm sure he will also get into other fine schools.

Based on what I had read on CC and the common data set, I was quite sure our son would not be admitted without a miracle. We are all happy to note that I was wrong.