Hard-Working and Easygoing
Pomona's culture promotes respect and collaboration, not cutthroat competition.
| 72 | Percentage of faculty who shared a meal with students at least six times a year |
| 64 | Percentage of faculty currently working with one or more students on research projects |
| 98 | Percentage of faculty who are still in contact with one or more former students |
Students at Pomona
It’s difficult to generalize about Pomona students—they’re so varied and original that they resist easy categorization—but there are a few traits we can safely say are typical. Pomona students embrace new ideas, take initiative, ask questions and challenge the status quo. They are as academically capable a group as any college or university can claim, and they are interested in doing something important with their talents. It’s also safe to say that among them, you’re sure to find some of the most interesting and inspiring people you’ll ever encounter in your life.
They also share a spirit of openness and collaboration. Our students push themselves, but are not cutthroat— that’s a very important distinction. They don’t mind working hard, but you won’t find them comparing grade point averages. Maybe it’s the weather or the palm trees or our proximity to the mountains and the beach. We tend to think it’s something more—a cooperation fostered by faculty in the lab and classroom. Professors encourage collaboration, and many students continue working together after class, forming study groups that meet in the residence halls, in lounges and computer labs and over laptops and shakes at the Coop Fountain.
Students come to Pomona from every state in the nation and from many other countries, from private and public schools, from large cities, suburbs and towns so small they don’t appear on most maps. Our student body is almost exactly half men, half women. More than one-third are students of color, and a substantial portion—across all ethnic backgrounds—are in the first generation of their families to attend a four-year college or university.
To maintain the remarkable strength and variety of Pomona’s student body, the College’s financial resources are critical. For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, admission decisions are made without consideration of a student’s financial circumstances. Over half of Pomona’s students receive financial aid from the College to support their study, and the College meets 100 percent of the demonstrated financial need of every enrolled student. Since 2008, all financial aid awards have been a combination of scholarships and grants. There are no loans to be repaid--ever. This practice ensures that the most capable students will always be able to enroll at Pomona regardless of their financial circumstances.