Thoughts on Early Decision II at Pomona College?

I'm really interested in Pomona College and considering applying through Early Decision II. Does anyone have experience with this process at Pomona? How does it impact my chances, and what should I consider before committing?

Applying Early Decision II (ED II) can show Pomona College that you're serious about attending, which is good because schools typically appreciate demonstrated interest. Pomona admits a significant percentage of its class through the Early Decision process, which includes both ED I and ED II.

One of the main things to consider about ED II is that it's a binding decision. If you're accepted, you're expected to enroll and withdraw applications to other institutions. This could be a bit tricky if you're still waiting for decisions from other schools you're interested in, or if Pomona isn't your top choice. But if Pomona is your unequivocal first choice, and you're ready to commit if accepted, ED II can be a good option.

Financial aid is also a vital point. You should run your numbers through Pomona's net price calculator to ensure that it's a financially feasible choice for you and your family before applying ED. In the event that your financial aid package makes attendance impossible, you can back out of the Early Decision agreement, but this is generally not the norm and can be a bit complicated.

Finally, make sure your application is as strong as it can be. It's not worth applying ED II if you feel rushing may compromise the quality of your application. Remember, Pomona is a highly selective school, and you want to submit the best application you can.

In the end, apply ED II if Pomona is your top choice, you're happy with your application as it stands, and the financial commitment isn't an obstacle for you. It can certainly give your application a small boost, and will let Pomona know that you're serious about attending.