Sagehens have always been proudly bookish, so it is no surprise the admissions team’s decision to send a handpicked tome to each U.S. student admitted in spring went over well, winning raves on social media. “Pomona is amazing,” wrote one poster on Reddit. “They keep winning my heart.”
“Our goal was to send a personalized mailing that, in a way, assured students we had indeed read their applications, and, most importantly, really seen them and their interests,” says Paola Reyes Noriega, assistant dean of admissions.
The eight books were recommendations from College staff or were works by guest speakers the College has recently welcomed, such as There There author Tommy Orange. Admissions officers picked which one to send based on what they learned about the admitted students in applications, offering the perfect way for soon-to-be Sagehens to open a new chapter at Pomona.
Not Pictured: Make Your Home Among Strangers by Jennine Capó Crucet, Real Life by Brandon Taylor and The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett