As 5C students soaked in the last days of spring break, some of their future classmates learned that they might soon be calling Claremont home.
Harvey Mudd College was the first to send out admissions decisions on March 15, followed by Scripps College on March 19. Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College were next on March 21, while Pitzer College was the last to release decisions on March 22.
On the same day that they released decisions, Pomona also published statistical information on their admitted class, which they described as “one of the most academically accomplished to date.” Other schools have not yet published similar data.
Admitted Pomona students indicated a wide range of academic interests in their first-choice majors: 26 percent in natural sciences, 23 percent in both social sciences and interdisciplinary fields, 22 percent in humanities, and 6 percent undecided.
According to a statement on Pomona’s website, the size of the applicant pool was unprecedented.
“The 861 admitted students were selected from the largest applicant pool in the College’s history,” the statement reads.
Additionally, a record-breaking 27 percent of Pomona’s admitted students are first-generation college students. Several admitted students have roots in programs aimed at supporting those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, including 25 QuestBridge scholars, 21 Posse Foundation students and three Pomona Academy for Youth Success participants.
48 states are represented in Pomona’s newest class; additionally, international students, hailing from 45 countries, comprise 16 percent of the group.
“Reading the applications of these remarkable students has been a true honor,” Jonathan B. Williams, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid, said in the statement. “We can’t wait to welcome them to the flock.”
Joseph Pham PO ’29, a QuestBridge Scholar from North Carolina, recalled his excitement at seeing his acceptance.
“I opened [the letter], saw the ‘You Matched’ thing and jumped out of my chair,” Pham said. “Then I read further, saw Pomona and was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s one of my top schools.’ I can’t even explain [the feeling], just a plethora of happiness.”
He even started a group chat for fellow admitted students, which he said has seen substantial participation.
“I’m from North Carolina, between the suburbs and the rural area, and I don’t really like it here,” Pham said. “Being in California seems super; I’ve always wanted to be there. The community seems really nice.”
Beyond the consortium’s setting, students also cited course offerings as reasons they chose their school.
Ahava Walpola SC ’29 said she was excited about Scripps’ interdisciplinary education as she is interested in studying economics with potential minors in music and Jewish studies.
“What initially drew me to Scripps was my cousin … She speaks so highly of it,” Walpola said. “I got into Scripps Regular Decision, and I was ecstatic. I was so happy.”
Walpola mentioned an informal visit she made to Scripps over winter break, citing how the architecture and warm community were “perfect.”
“I’m excited that it’s a consortium,” Walpola said. “Being able to experience all the different classes and all the different people from all five colleges … There are people all over that I could meet and enjoy time with.”
In another 5C admissions update, CMC said that it would extend its test-optional policies for those applying to enter until fall 2027.
The move followed a vote from the Board of Trustees, a decision that came in the wake of a faculty vote in February to suspend it. However, students who were just accepted into CMC and who chose to take standardized tests will eventually be asked to submit their scores to the school, assuming that they didn’t do so already in their application.
“Matriculating students to CMC who sat for the ACT/SAT exam but chose not to submit their scores for consideration in the admission process will be asked to submit their ACT and SAT scores to CMC post-enrollment for institutional research,” CMC’s website reads. “Please check back in the summer of 2026 for information about our policy beyond Fall 2027.”
CMC’s Office of Strategic Communication told TSL that data on the class of 2029 will be available “after the 12th day of the Fall 2025 semester.” They did not respond to TSL’s request for information on the extension of the test-optional policy.
Facebook Comments