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00:00:00 – 00:20:41
Craig Meister's video on college applications offers detailed guidance for prospective Pomona College applicants, emphasizing the institution's selectivity as the oldest Claremont college in California. Key themes include strategic planning throughout high school, especially regarding SAT/ACT scores, where scores above 1400 are recommended due to test-optional policies. Meister highlights the advantage of early decision deadlines — November 15 for ED 1 and January 8 for ED 2 — which statistically improve admission chances.
The speaker provides detailed strategies on optimizing the Common App, suggesting that applicants utilize the additional information section to elaborate on extracurricular achievements and advises on crafting comprehensive and structured essays. Pomona’s 2024 supplemental essay prompts require an academic interest statement, a short response, and a longer essay, encouraging applicants to align their interests with Pomona’s offerings and to reflect holistically on personal experiences and community values.
Additionally, Meister touches on the value of optional evaluative interviews with alumni, which, though not essential, can bolster an application. The video rounds off with personalized guidance resources and a call to engage with Meister’s content for further application tips.
00:00:00
In this segment, Craig Meister introduces himself and his website, collegemeister.com, to offer guidance on college applications, focusing on Pomona College in Claremont, California. He describes Pomona as the oldest and highly selective school among the Claremont colleges, and emphasizes the importance of reading his article on getting into Ivy League schools as it offers relevant strategies. Craig underscores that college applications are no longer a short-term endeavor but a four-year process. He advises students to carefully plan their high school years to enhance their chances of admission. Additionally, he suggests being cautious about sending SAT/ACT scores below 1400 to Pomona, as test-optional policies have raised the average scores submitted.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker provides guidance on SAT scores and their impact on college applications, specifically to Pomona College. They suggest that scoring 1410 or above is favorable, whereas a score of 1310 may not positively impact the application. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of individualized assessment for each applicant’s unique case.
Additionally, the speaker discusses the early decision options at Pomona, highlighting the deadlines and binding nature of early decision commitments. They stress that early decision applicants statistically have a higher chance of admission, approximately two to three times greater, and note the specific application deadlines: November 15 for early decision 1 and January 8 for early decision 2, with respective notification dates of December 15 and February 15. The speaker advises considering early decision if Pomona is the applicant’s first choice and they are prepared to commit.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the application process for Pomona College, specifically focusing on the institution’s approach to extracurricular resumes. Unlike some other selective schools, Pomona does not allow applicants to upload a full-fledged PDF resume to their Common Application supplement. Despite this restriction, the speaker advises applicants to create and regularly update an extensive extracurricular resume in a Word or Google document for personal use. This document can be used to inform the additional information section of the Common Application, which allows up to 650 words to detail extracurricular activities comprehensively. This strategy is recommended to fully showcase all achievements, especially since the Common App’s activities page has limited space and may not accommodate all of an applicant’s extracurricular pursuits. The speaker emphasizes taking advantage of this additional section to strengthen the application.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of utilizing every available space on the application to Pomona College to showcase an applicant’s qualifications. Specifically, they advise using the additional information section of the Common App to further highlight personal achievements and activities. The speaker also introduces Pomona College’s 2024 supplemental essay prompts, which include an academic interest statement (150 words), a short response essay (150 words), and a longer response essay (250 words). For the academic interest statement, they suggest not only discussing one’s love for a subject but also detailing how that interest would be pursued at Pomona, including mentioning specific professors, courses, or programs. The suggested structure for the essay includes an introduction with a thesis, a detailed body, and a conclusion that adds something new beyond simply restating the thesis.
00:12:00
In this segment, the speaker provides detailed guidance on how to respond to Pomona College’s short response essay prompt options. Students can select from three prompts: sharing a quirky tradition, discussing an item they are excited to bring to college, or describing a time they felt empowered. The speaker advises incorporating not just past experiences but also forward-looking statements to connect those experiences to their future at Pomona. The speaker then introduces a longer 250-word essay requirement with three additional prompts, encouraging students to reflect on personal growth, community values, or unique strengths. The video description includes the full list of prompts for further consideration.
00:15:00
In this segment, the speaker discusses strategies for answering essay questions on a college application, emphasizing the importance of choosing questions that allow applicants to reveal unique aspects of themselves not shown elsewhere in their applications. The first question prompts applicants to discuss a recent change of mind, urging them to describe the event, why they changed their mind, and how they plan to engage with the topic at college. The second question asks about community involvement, emphasizing the need to show past engagement and future contributions to Pomona. The third question focuses on revealing a hidden strength or quality, advising applicants to show how this trait will benefit them at Pomona. Furthermore, the speaker stresses structuring responses like traditional essays, with an introduction, body, and conclusion, ensuring the conclusion presents a new, thoughtful idea leaving a positive impression.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker offers tips regarding the opportunity to request an interview at Pomona College. While these interviews are not guaranteed, they are evaluative and can positively impact an applicant’s admission chances. The interviewer, typically a member of the alumni committee, submits a write-up of the interaction to the admissions office. The speaker emphasizes that there is no negative consequence for not interviewing, as many students are accepted without one. However, they encourage taking the interview opportunity if possible and provide additional tips for successful interviews below the video. Also mentioned is the importance of the Common App essay and English proficiency tests for international students. The speaker concludes by providing resources for personalized college application guidance and urging viewers to like, subscribe, and share the video.