By Michael Nash ’27
As a first-generation, low-income student from Chicago, Illinois, I’ll be honest—I didn’t know much about Pomona College at first. I only learned about it when I was nominated for the Posse Scholarship. That’s when I started researching the school, its majors, opportunities, and, of course, the acceptance rate. I remember feeling overwhelmed when I saw how selective it was. Still, I stuck with the process.
The Posse Scholarship is a leadership-based award that sends a cohort of ten students to college together, creating a built-in support system. During the interview process, I was incredibly anxious. I didn’t think I’d stand out. But when I advanced through each round, my confidence grew. Eventually, I was awarded the scholarship, and just like that, I was on my way to Pomona.
Before arriving on campus, I had never visited. That changed when I came for Perspectives on Pomona (POP) which takes place during the school year in either spring, for admitted students, or fall for prospective students. I visited in the spring of my senior year, after I had already committed to Pomona, and it was my first real glimpse of where I’d be spending the next four years. I was blown away by the beauty of the campus, the warmth of the community, and the incredible resources. I left that weekend excited and ready to return in the fall.
When I finally got to campus, though, the transition wasn’t easy. I had to Uber from LAX to a hotel near campus, which cost $88, and stayed with my roommate, who arrived at the same time, because I was still sorting out a few things. The very next day, I officially began my Pomona journey. My mentor so graciously picked us up and brought us to campus.
Orientation week was full of new experiences, including Orientation Adventure. I chose the theatre adventure, which took us behind the scenes of Pomona’s theatre department and included fun day trips, ending with a performance of Les Misérables. I registered for classes and hit the ground running, even though I faced some challenges, like figuring out how to manage those long 2.5-hour theatre classes.
Still, despite the hiccups, I found my footing. My transition to Pomona was full of trials and growth, but as I head into my third year, I’ve done things I never imagined. I’ve met incredible people, found community, and taken steps forward both personally and academically. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited for what’s still ahead.
