How to Apply to Psychology at Pomona College: No Admission by Major, the Psychological Science Major After Entry, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

Pomona College is a liberal arts college in Claremont, California, and a member of the Claremont Colleges. Psychology is taught by the Psychological Science Department, and the major is called Psychological Science. As at most liberal arts colleges, you are not admitted by major. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Pomona’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Admission and the psychology major

• No admission by major: you write a 150-word Academic Interest Statement about the subjects you may major in (or an academic interest if undecided).
• What the major covers: an introduction to psychology’s methods and perspectives, research design and statistics, laboratory courses, a culture, ethnicity and psychology requirement, three electives, and a senior seminar and thesis. Pomona says all seniors complete an empirical research investigation and every faculty member runs an active lab.
• When you declare: the exact timing and course counts are in Pomona’s catalog (catalog.pomona.edu), which could not be read while writing this guide, and other official pages do not state them; check the catalog or the department.
• Consortium classes: Pomona offers about 630 classes, and students can cross-register at Scripps, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd and Pitzer for more than 2,700 options in total.
• AP, IB and A-Level credit: AP scores of 4 or 5, IB Higher Level 6 or 7 and comparable A-Level results earn Advanced Standing credit, but at most two of the 32 credits needed to graduate.

2. Deadlines and materials

• Early Decision I: 8 November, decisions by 15 December, reply by 1 January.
• Early Decision II: 8 January, decisions by 15 February, reply by 1 March.
• Regular Decision: 8 January, decisions by 1 April, reply by 1 May.
• Both ED rounds are binding and evaluated the same way. International students may use any plan and follow the same deadlines.
• Platforms: Common App, Apply Coalition on Scoir or QuestBridge, with no preference. The fee is $80, waivable through the Pomona Access Pass for aid applicants facing hardship.
• Materials: transcripts, school report and counselor recommendation, two core-subject teacher recommendations, and a mid-year report by 15 February. Non-English transcripts need official translations; if secondary school in your country is three years (grades 10–12), also send your grade 9 transcript.

3. Testing and English

• Test optional: SAT and ACT are not required; you can self-report scores and send official reports only if you enrol. ACT submitters must include the Science section. Pomona says about half of recent applicants submitted scores and there is no admissions advantage in doing so.
• English: applicants from schools where English is not the primary language of instruction must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo; self-reporting is allowed.
  • The international applicants page lists minimums of TOEFL 5 (new scale), IELTS 7 and Duolingo 130;
  • the international FAQ gives TOEFL iBT 100 and TOEFL ITP Plus for China 627, with the same IELTS and Duolingo minimums;
  • there are no sub-score minimums. InitialView, Vericant and Duolingo interviews are optional and do not replace the English test.
• Chinese and Canadian curricula: Pomona says it evaluates applicants in their local context, but it publishes no Gaokao policy and no grade requirements for Canadian or BC curricula.

4. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 (US$): tuition 71,660, fees 420, housing and food 23,590, billable total 95,670; plus travel and personal costs of 1,500 to 2,600 and medical insurance of about 3,312 (international students must enrol in the college plan). From fall 2026, books and supplies are provided at no extra charge. Pomona says costs have risen about 3% to 5% a year recently.
• Aid for international students: admission is need-aware for foreign nationals, but Pomona meets 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted international student without using loans to meet need. Pomona says 41% of its international students receive need-based aid, averaging nearly $74,000 a year.
• No merit or athletic scholarships: all aid is need-based.

5. Transfer students

• Deadlines: 15 February, decisions by 9 April, reply by 1 June; supporting documents are accepted until 5 March. Fall entry only.
• Eligibility: anyone who will have completed at least one year of full-time college work by entry applies as a transfer. Transfers enter as sophomores or juniors and must spend at least four full-time semesters at Pomona to earn the B.A. Bachelor’s degree holders are not eligible.
• Credit: admitted transfers receive a credit evaluation with their offer and can transfer at most 16 course credits, usually for courses at regionally accredited institutions with a C or better and a comparable course at the Claremont Colleges.
• Preparation: there are no prerequisites, but Pomona recommends completing general education courses first, such as those in Social Institutions & Human Behavior (which includes psychology).
• International transfers: eligible for aid meeting 100% of need, but must apply for aid when applying for admission.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 8 November (ED I) or 8 January (ED II, RD)
• At a non-English-medium school, TOEFL 100 (5 new scale), IELTS 7 or Duolingo 130
• Send grade 9 results if your high school is three years; attach official translations
• Request aid when you apply; admission is need-aware

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; students at English-medium schools need no English test
• No Canada-specific grade requirements are published

Transfer students:

• Deadline 15 February, fall only; at least one year of full-time college work
• Up to 16 course credits transfer; at least four semesters at Pomona

Sources: Pomona College, Paths to apply and deadlines; International applicants; International applicant FAQs; Transfer applicants; Cost of attendance 2026-27; Psychological Science major; Psychological Science Department; Research and senior thesis. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Pomona for the latest details.