Introducing the 麻豆影视 Class of 2028

Six Pomona students pose in front of Bridges Hall of Music

Twenty-eight resounding bell chimes from Sumner Hall signal the arrival of exciting news for the newest members of the 麻豆影视 community, the Class of 2028. Students from all over the U.S. and the world will gain access to their admission decisions through a secure portal, beginning at 5 p.m. PDT on Friday, March 15.

Selected from the largest applicant pool in the College鈥檚 history, the members of the Class of 2028 represent a diverse tapestry of talents, interests and perspectives. This year, Pomona will offer admission to 811 students who come from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and 44 other countries. Eight students were admitted in a previous year and deferred enrollment until this year, while one Downing Scholar was admitted to Pomona on a one-year program from Downing College, Cambridge. 

Fast Facts

811
Students Offered Admission
50
U.S. States, plus the District of Columbia
44
Foreign Countries

This year鈥檚 group impressed the admissions committee in every way,鈥 says Adam Sapp, assistant vice president and director of admissions. 鈥淥ur admitted students demonstrated the intellectual curiosity and commitment to academic excellence we value at 麻豆影视. This class is full of probing thinkers, creative learners and committed community-builders鈥攊ndividuals who will bring a rich, broad set of experiences to the Pomona classroom and beyond.

One of those outstanding individuals is QuestBridge Scholar Karen Maga帽a-Aguilera. Growing up in the rural agricultural community of Mecca, California, Maga帽a-Aguilera found her motivation to help others succeed by volunteering and tutoring at her former elementary school. There, she assisted with translating homework for students and teaching English. She is looking forward to studying English and Spanish at Pomona in preparation for improving educational outcomes for children as a teacher.

Maga帽a-Aguilera will be joined by Is Wilhelm from Atlanta, Georgia. Wilhelm is looking forward to the interdisciplinary education opportunities at Pomona. With interests in biotechnology, they are looking forward to double-majoring in environmental analysis and art while conducting research through The Claremont Colleges鈥 plant biology program. Wilhelm is eager to pair science with art, linguistics and history.

In addition, the College admitted 35 transfer students who selected 22 different first-choice majors. Thirteen of the admitted transfer students are first-generation-to-college, 66% are transferring from a community college, with 48.6% of those admitted transferring from a community college in California. They were admitted from nine states and one country outside the U.S. Our newly admitted transfer cohort has associations with a range of community-based organizations, including the , , and (Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America). Four military veterans were admitted through the transfer process this year. Four of these admitted military veterans are affiliated with , two with the , and the admitted veterans represent three branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: the Army, Marine Corps and Navy.

About the Class

While responses from the applicants admitted through the regular decision round are not due back to Pomona until May 1, the outline of the Class of 2028 can already be seen through the broad, statistical profile of those offered admission.

The admitted students are 54% female and 46% percent male (sex assigned at birth), with 4% percent identifying as gender non-conforming or transgender. First-generation college students鈥攎eaning neither parent has a four-year college degree鈥攎ake up 26% of those admitted to the Class of 2028.

54%
Female (assigned at birth)
46%
Male (assigned at birth)
26%
First-Generation Students
14%
International Students

Academics

Class of 2028 admits identified a broad range of academic interests, with 24% indicating their first choice major in the humanities, 25% in interdisciplinary fields, 26% in the natural sciences, 20% in the social sciences and 4% undecided about their field of study (total approximately 100% due to rounding). In identifying their future academic focus, nearly 69% chose two top major choices from different academic disciplines (i.e., humanities and natural sciences, etc.). Thirteen percent of applicants submitted an optional arts supplement in the fields of dance, music or theatre. Students admitted to the Class of 2028 are academically exceptional, with 93% of those who attend high schools that rank students ranking in the top 10% of their class.

First Choice Major

24%
Humanities
25%
Interdisciplinary Fields
26%
Natural Sciences
20%
Social Sciences
4%
Undecided

Where They Come From

Students were admitted to the Class of 2028 from 675 different high schools in all 50 states (as well as the District of Columbia) and 44 other countries. The top U.S. states where admitted students come from are California (232), New York (55), Illinois (41), Texas (36), Washington (29), Florida (22), Maryland (18), Arizona (17), Oregon (16), Colorado (15) and Virginia (14).

Interest from students around the world continued to grow this year, with students admitted from 44 foreign countries, including China (19), India (10), United Kingdom (10), Canada (9), South Korea (9), Brazil (7), Japan (6), Singapore (5), Ghana (4), Hong Kong (4) and Turkey (4). International students make up 14% of the class. Admitted students worked with many global college access partners, including the and the . Six admitted international students reported working with , which offers free college advising support for students seeking access to American higher education.

Top U.S. States

232

California

55

New York

41

Illinois

36

Texas

29

Washington

22

Florida

18

Maryland

17

Arizona

16

Oregon

15

Colorado

14

Virginia

Top Foreign Countries

19

China

10

India

10

United Kingdom

9

Canada

9

South Korea

7

Brazil

6

Japan

5

Singapore

4

Ghana

4

Hong Kong

4

Turkey

Recruiting the Class

To reach a deep and talented pool of prospective applicants, Pomona admissions officers traveled throughout the U.S. and around the world to meet students in person, while also continuing to engage with virtual programming. They visited more than 430 high schools in 40 states and 21 countries and interacted with nearly 4,000 students via online events. In all, Pomona admissions officers hosted or met with more than 28,000 students, counselors and family members. Alumni played a key role in recruiting the class as well, hosting interviews around the country and the world.

Pomona鈥檚 commitment to increasing access bore fruit, with two admitted students from surrounding Los Angeles communities having participated in the Pomona Academy for Youth Success (PAYS), an intensive, three-year college preparation program run by the College鈥檚 Draper Center for Community Partnerships. One hundred sixteen admitted students reported working with a community-based organization, including , , , , and . In addition, 17 students in the Class of 2028 were matched through Pomona鈥檚 partnership with , and 20 students were admitted through the .

To increase equity and access for all applicants, the College adopted a test-optional policy during 2020, which extended through Fall 2024. The College鈥檚 faculty voted at the end of last year to make the policy permanent. Applying under the test-optional policy, 55% of this year鈥檚 applicants submitted a standardized test score (ACT or SAT).

Priscilla Matthews, from Lihue, Hawaii, plans to pursue a degree in international relations and public policy analysis at Pomona. Her deep interest in law blossomed during her time as a legislative intern for the Keiki Caucus Legislative program and internship with Pomona alumnus and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz 鈥94 in her junior and senior years of high school. Aspiring to become a lawyer, she hopes to specialize in family law, with the ultimate goal of becoming a child advocate attorney.

Cedar Wine, from Niwot, Colorado, is drawn to Pomona to gain knowledge and experience for a future career as a doctor. He is focusing his sights on Pomona鈥檚 Science, Technology and Society program, where he is interested in exploring interdisciplinary approaches to health and medicine, conducting research on social and geographic inequities, and learning while serving Indigenous communities.

Admitted Students Day

All admitted students will be invited to visit campus April 15 for Admitted Students Day, which will highlight the many resources and opportunities at Pomona and The Claremont Colleges. This day of celebration and learning will provide opportunities to meet fellow admitted students, engage with current students and faculty, attend a class and explore Pomona鈥檚 campus.

鈥淭he admissions committee worked hard to assemble a class we are confident will flourish on campus,鈥 says Raymond A. Brown, interim vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid. 鈥淥ur newly admitted students are already asking big questions and working hard to have a transformative impact on their communities. We know they will bring a spirit of inclusivity and a penchant for creativity to Pomona this fall.鈥