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Pomona College

Claremont, California4-yearPrivate

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Pomona College’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why This Major Short Response

Required
150 Words

What do you love about the subject(s) you selected? If Undecided, share more about one of your academic passions.

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Required
150 Words

Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 150 words.


Option 1

1. At Pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. Share with us one of your quirky personal, family or community traditions and why you hold on to it.


Option 2

2. What item are you excited to bring with you to college?


Option 3

3. Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world.

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Required
250 Words

Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 250 words.


Option 1

1. In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about? Why?


Option 2

2. Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?


Option 3

3. What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?

Common App Personal Essay

Required
650 words

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.


Option 1

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.


Option 2

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?


Option 3

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?


Option 4

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?


Option 5

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.


Option 6

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?


Option 7

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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