Hearing that you’ve been deferred from Pomona can sting. You gave the application your all – refined every line, edited until it shone, and hit submit, picturing yourself walking to class under the California sun. Now? You’re stuck in that weird middle space. Neither denied nor admitted. It’s a frustrating place to be!
Take a breather. Feel your feelings. Then remind yourself: this isn’t the end. Pomona didn’t close the door – they just haven’t made a final decision. And you’re still in the game.
A deferral says more about how selective Pomona has become than it does about you. Their Early Decision acceptance rate is already low, and Regular Decision is even tighter. That said, students do get in after being deferred. And if you want to be one of them, you’ve got to stay sharp and strategic.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Pomona was your sole focus during ED season, there’s a good chance your Regular Decision list hasn’t gotten the attention it needs. Let’s change that.
Start by assessing your current list. Do you have enough reaches, targets, and safeties? Are they schools that genuinely excite you? Don’t just go for name recognition – think about places that offer the academic and personal experience you were drawn to at Pomona.
Was it the close student-faculty relationships? Access to the Claremont Consortium? An emphasis on interdisciplinary exploration? Let those priorities guide your search. Consider schools like Pitzer, Claremont McKenna, Swarthmore, Carleton, Macalester, Wesleyan, or Davidson – places that value undergrad research, small classes, and community, or honors colleges within larger public universities.
From there, get to work on your supplements. Make sure every essay is thoughtful, tailored, and speaks to why you belong there. And if you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve got a whole blog full of guidance and examples to help you get started.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
With some distance from your original submission, now is a smart time to return to your Common App essay and take a fresh, honest look. Ask yourself: does this sound like you, or like what you think admissions officers want to hear? Is it grounded in specific experiences, or could it easily be swapped with another student’s?
A lot of essays fall into the trap of being polished but generic. They’re fine, even well-written, but they’re not memorable. And during Regular Decision, when the volume of applications spikes, you need to stand out. Strong essays aren’t necessarily dramatic or extraordinary; they’re personal, thoughtful, and revealing.
Prompt #7 can be especially flexible, and it’s our favorite. However, some students are overwhelmed by the total freedom it offers. Thankfully, any prompt can work as long as your voice is clear and you’re telling an engaging and unique story. If your current draft feels like it’s missing something, it might be worth reworking entirely. It’s not too late to revise or rewrite, and a strong rework can make a huge difference in RD and ED2 apps.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
Late December and early January are the most hectic weeks in the admissions process. If you’ve processed the deferral, it’s time to pivot.
After revising your Common App, scan your activities list. Did you take on a new role, publish something, or hit a new milestone since submitting to Pomona? Make sure those updates are reflected across your future applications. Next, look at the additional info section. Use it only if necessary, to explain context, not to restate what’s already listed.
Then comes the big one: the supplements. These short-answer responses aren’t optional filler; they’re a window into how well you’ve researched each school and how you’ll contribute. Specificity is everything. If you’re writing about Grinnell or Santa Clara, don’t reuse your Pomona essays and just swap names. Schools can tell.
Finish and submit your RD apps before circling back to Pomona. You want to approach your update with a clear head and polished materials.
Step Four: Update
Here’s what Pomona says about deferrals on their website:
“We typically defer 10-15 percent of our early applicants’ candidacies. If you were deferred, it means that the Admissions Committee found strong potential in your early application and would like to consider your application again among those in the regular decision round. We will notify you of our final decision before April 1. Deferred students are either admitted or denied. Meanwhile, you should send us your most recent grades and are invited to update us by February 10 with any new activities or endeavors. Feel welcome to contact us at admissions@pomona.edu or use the self-service tool in your applicant portal (just above the application checklist).”
From experience, here are some things you may need to compile:
Mid-Year Report & Transcript
Your school counselor should send this once grades are finalized.
New Test Scores
If you’ve taken the ACT or SAT again and improved, go ahead and share.
Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
Probably the most crucial piece!
The Deferral Letter - Letter of Continued Interest
This is your chance to reconnect with Pomona’s admissions team and reaffirm that your interest in the school hasn’t faded. Your letter should be direct, sincere, and strategic, and ideally in the 350–400 word range.
Open with a respectful greeting. If you’ve been in touch with your regional rep before, address it to them. If not, “Dear Pomona Admissions Committee” works perfectly.
In your first few lines, be clear: Pomona remains your top choice, and if offered admission, you would accept. That level of commitment still matters, even if your application has been moved into the Regular Decision pool. Schools want to admit students who are likely to enroll, and being upfront about your intentions can work in your favor. So be explicit that you plan to go there.
From there, share two or three meaningful updates since your application. Did you receive an academic award? Launch something impactful? Take on a leadership role or complete a project that ties back to your academic goals? Be specific, and explain why these updates matter and, even better, connect them to how they fit with Pomona’s community and offerings.
Resist the urge to repeat what they already know. This letter isn’t a recap, it’s to give them updates to show that you haven’t flamed out of your senior year.
End with a short but genuine thank-you and one last expression of excitement and hope. Upload the letter to your applicant portal once your mid-year materials are ready, and if you’ve connected with your rep, it’s okay to send them a quick, professional note letting them know it’s been submitted.
Step Five: Wait
Once your LOCI is in and your RD apps are out, it’s time to shift your energy. Pomona doesn’t want ongoing emails, surprise updates, or extra recommendations. One strong letter is enough.
Trust the process. You’ve done everything you can, from building a thoughtful list to polishing your applications to sending a mature, grounded update. That’s what success looks like in this moment.
We know it’s hard to wait, but we also know you’re going to land somewhere great. And if you’d like help making sure of that, we’re always here.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.