The Pomona College Cambridge Program is hosted by Jesus College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge. Jesus College, built around a 12th-century convent, incorporates some of the oldest buildings in Cambridge and is located on spacious grounds on the northeast side of the lovely university town of Cambridge, close to the River Cam. As visiting students at Jesus College, program participants may use dining and library facilities and may also engage in sports and other university extracurricular and social activities.
At the core of the Cambridge academic system are "supervisions" - focused weekly meetings of small groups or individual students with a topic-specific teacher to engage in discussion of the supervision topic, assigned readings, and written work. This personalized system requires a high level of independence, initiative, critical thinking, and ability to synthesize and analyze complex material.
Academic Program
The spring program at Jesus College consists of a core seminar, group supervisions, and individual supervisions with local scholars during the two final terms of the Cambridge academic year.
The core seminar, Space and Time in Contemporary Art, is offered exclusively to Pomona College students. The seminar meets weekly through both terms, and all students participate. Students may not take the core seminar on a P/NC basis. Students write four short papers for this seminar (1.0 Pomona course credit).
Each student has one group supervision per term with other students in the Pomona College group. Group supervisions meet weekly for each eight-week term and normally students write three papers per term (0.5 Pomona course credits each term). Topics are selected from the program's predetermined list of course offerings. The group supervisions are designed for students to explore subjects outside of their major.
Students have one individual supervision each term, selected from a predetermined list provided by the program. These meet weekly for each eight-week term and normally students write four papers per term (1.0 Pomona course credit each term). Individual supervisions should be in the student's major discipline, as background knowledge is expected in a one-on-one teaching situation.
Living Arrangements
May vary from year to year: Jesus College dorm or individual rooms in other Cambridge college dorms or flats. A meal allowance is provided by Pomona College.
Number of Students
Enrollment is limited to 10 students. Total enrollment at Jesus College is 500 students.
Host Institution
Jesus College
Faculty Liaison
Karl Johnson
Eligibility
- Applicants should have a strong academic and extracurricular record, be capable of independent study, and be eager to engage fully in both academic and extracurricular activities in Cambridge.
- An advising session with an OSA staff member is required prior to submission of the Study Abroad Application. Students should contact the OSA to schedule an appointment. The Cambridge application may include a faculty panel interview.
- 10.0 GPA required.