Organizer Information
Pomona College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California, and a member of The Claremont Colleges consortium. The College offers undergraduate study across the humanities, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. Relevant creative and media areas include Art, Art History, Media Studies, Dance, Theatre, and related interdisciplinary study.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Pomona College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Media Studies, Film/Video, Dance, Theatre
- Relevant Programs: Art Major; Art History Major; Media Studies Major; Dance Major; Theatre
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular Decision
- Application Deadline: 8 November 2026 / 8 January 2027, depending on application plan
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $80
- Tuition: $71,660 for 2026–27
- Funding: Need-based financial aid; eligible admitted international students may receive aid meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Pomona's relevant undergraduate disciplines include studio art, art history, media studies, dance, and theatre. The Media Studies major combines media theory, history, and practice and provides access to film and video production courses across The Claremont Colleges.
- The Art major includes drawing, design, painting, photography, sculpture, art history, studio electives, and required exhibitions. The Art History major includes art-historical research and one studio art course.
- Pomona's interdisciplinary structure permits students to study media, film, art history, studio art, and related subjects across The Claremont Colleges. Media Studies students can undertake individual or collaborative video production and borrow equipment through Studio 47.
General Eligibility
- Pomona accepts first-year applicants and transfer applicants. International students studying outside the United States may apply through the same first-year application forms and deadlines as other applicants. Students already enrolled full-time at a postsecondary institution must apply as transfer applicants.
- Admission is holistic. Pomona considers academic preparation, curriculum rigor, grades, recommendations, essays, activities, talents, and the applicant's educational context. There is no published minimum academic record that guarantees admission.
- For international applicants who attended secondary school outside the United States, admission is need-aware when financial aid is requested.
Educational Background
First-year applicants must provide secondary-school academic records. Transfer applicants must have completed the equivalent of at least one year of full-time college work to receive transfer standing; applicants with less college work should apply for first-year standing. Pomona does not require specific prerequisite courses for transfer admission.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose secondary-school instruction was not primarily in English must submit official or self-reported results from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Minimum scores are:
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution: 627
- IELTS: 7.0
- Duolingo English Test: 130
There are no minimum sub-score requirements. Enrolling students must submit official results.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee | Fee Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-year | $80 | Available through the Pomona Access Pass for applicants experiencing financial hardship |
| Transfer | $80 | Available through the Pomona Access Pass for applicants experiencing financial hardship |
The application fee is one-time and non-refundable.
Tuition
| Study Level | Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Relevant BA programs | All students | $71,660 | $35,830 per semester | Student Body Fee: $420/year |
| Undergraduate | Relevant BA programs | On-campus students | $71,660 | $35,830 per semester | Housing & food: $23,590/year |
| Undergraduate | Relevant BA programs | Off-campus students | $71,660 | $35,830 per semester | Housing & food: $19,367/year |
| Undergraduate | Relevant BA programs | Living with parents/relatives | $71,660 | $35,830 per semester | Housing & food: $14,080/year |
For 2026–27, Pomona lists a $95,670 total on-campus billable cost including tuition, fees, housing, and food. Medical insurance is listed separately at an estimated $3,312 annually.
Funding & Financial Support
- Pomona provides need-based financial aid rather than merit or athletic scholarships. For admitted international students who apply for aid at the time of admission, the College states that financial aid meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. International admission is need-aware.
- International applicants seeking aid must submit the CSS Profile or, when the CSS Profile fee presents a financial burden, the Pomona College International Financial Aid Application, together with required financial documentation.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant support includes the Center for Speaking, Writing, and the Image, Sage Fellows, quantitative support, and other academic-support resources.
- Media Studies students have access to production equipment, Studio 47, a multimedia lab, the Brian Stonehill Media Studies Library, and opportunities for research and production funding.
- The Career Development Office provides career advising, internship and job-search support, fellowship advising, graduate-school preparation, résumé and cover-letter review, practice interviews, networking resources, and the Pomona College Internship Program.
Application Requirements
- Common Application, Apply Coalition on Scoir, or QuestBridge application
- Official high-school transcript
- School Report and counselor recommendation
- Two teacher recommendations from core academic subjects
- Pomona-specific Academic Interest Statement
- Pomona-specific Short-Response Essay
- Application fee or approved fee waiver
International applicants whose secondary education was not primarily in English must also submit an accepted English-language test result.
SAT and ACT scores are Optional.
Interviews are Optional and are not conducted by Pomona staff or alumni; international applicants may use accepted third-party interview services.
Arts Supplements are Optional for applicants wishing to submit additional evidence of special talent in dance, music, or theatre.
A portfolio is not identified by Pomona as a general mandatory first-year admissions requirement for the relevant art and media majors. Applicants should follow any current instructions associated with optional supplemental materials.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision I Application Deadline: 8 November 2026
- Early Decision I Admission Notification: By 15 December 2026
- Early Decision I Reply Date: 1 January 2027
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 8 January 2027
- Early Decision II Admission Notification: By 15 February 2027
- Early Decision II Reply Date: 1 March 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 8 January 2027
- Mid-Year Report: 15 February 2027
- Regular Decision Admission Notification: By 1 April 2027
- Regular Decision Reply Date: 1 May 2027
Location
Pomona College — Claremont, California, United States
Additional Details
Pomona's relevant creative programs are undergraduate BA programs rather than standalone graduate film or fine-arts degrees. Media Studies is particularly relevant to film-focused applicants because the curriculum includes film and video production alongside media history and theory.
International applicants who need financial aid must request it when applying for admission; an international student admitted without requesting aid generally cannot apply for institutional financial aid later.
For 2027–28 international financial aid, Pomona states that the application will reopen in mid-October 2026, with updated forms and deadlines to be provided at that time.