Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, United States of America

Claremont McKenna College is a private liberal arts college located in Claremont, California. Founded in 1913, Claremont McKenna College is one of the Claremont Colleges consortium and is known for its rigorous academic program, strong emphasis on undergraduate research, and beautiful campus setting.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Claremont McKenna College is distinct for its focused mission on preparing students for leadership in business, government, and public affairs. This is achieved through a unique blend of a rigorous liberal arts core with specialized research institutes and an unparalleled career services office, all within the resources of The Claremont Colleges consortium.
No, CMC is a private, independent undergraduate institution. However, it is a founding member of The Claremont Colleges consortium, which includes five undergraduate colleges (CMC, Pomona, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer) and two graduate institutions. Students can take classes, join clubs, and share facilities across all seven schools.
Social life is vibrant and balanced. Students are academically focused and ambitious but also collaborative. With over 120 student-run clubs, NCAA Division III athletics (as part of CMS), and access to events across all five undergraduate Claremont Colleges, there is a strong sense of community and plenty of opportunities for social and intellectual engagement.
Claremont McKenna is highly selective. For the Class of 2027, the acceptance rate was approximately 10.3%, reflecting the college's competitive applicant pool.
Yes, CMC offers optional evaluative interviews with senior admission officers or trained alumni. These are not required but are highly recommended as they provide an opportunity for the applicant to learn more about CMC and for the college to get to know the applicant beyond their written application.
The admissions process is holistic. While strong academic performance and test scores (if submitted) are crucial, CMC specifically seeks students who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and a clear interest in the college's core focus on economics, government, and international relations. Intellectual curiosity, character, and extracurricular involvement are also heavily weighed.
The campus is considered very safe. It is protected 24/7 by the Claremont University Consortium Department of Campus Safety, a professional, sworn police department that patrols the campus and surrounding areas continuously.
The college has an integrated emergency notification system (CMC Alert) that sends text and email updates during any critical situation. Blue light emergency phones are installed throughout the campus for direct contact with safety officials, and the safety department provides evening safety escorts for students upon request.
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, a full-service acute-care facility, is the nearest hospital, located approximately 3 miles from campus. The Student Health Service (SHS) clinic on campus can handle most primary care needs and referrals.
Yes, and it is highly encouraged. As a member of the consortium, CMC students can enroll in courses at any of the other four undergraduate colleges (Pomona, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer), expanding their academic choices to over 2,700 courses without any additional cost.
Economics is the most popular major, followed closely by Government and International Relations. This aligns with the college's mission and strengths in these disciplines.
The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is a unique central hub of intellectual and social life at CMC. It hosts a distinguished speaker series nearly every night, where students, faculty, and staff dine with and listen to leaders from academia, politics, business, and the arts.
Yes, CMC offers a robust program of merit-based scholarships that are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and personal accomplishments. These scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded regardless of financial need.
Yes, Claremont McKenna College is need-blind in its admission process for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens. This means admission decisions are made without consideration of a student's financial need.
Yes, for all admitted students who apply for aid on time, CMC is committed to meeting 100% of their demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study, and reasonable loans.
The city of Claremont, known as "The City of Trees and PhDs," is a charming college town located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. It has a historic, walkable village with shops and restaurants and is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Southern California for its beauty, safety, and proximity to Los Angeles.
Yes, Claremont McKenna College guarantees on-campus housing for all four years. Students are required to live on campus for their first three years, and most choose to stay all four years due to the strong residential community.
Housing options range from traditional double rooms in residence halls to suite-style living and apartment-style accommodations for upperclassmen. There are also themed housing options, such as the Language and Culture Houses.
The Soll Center for Student Opportunity and the International Place of The Claremond Colleges (I-Place) provide dedicated advising and workshops for international students on visa options, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the H-1B visa process. They help students navigate the legal requirements and connect with employers who have experience sponsoring visas.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12-month period of temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension, for a total of 36 months of work authorization.
Yes, due to CMC's top-ranked career services and strong recruitment from top firms, international graduates are very successful in securing employment. Many leading consulting, finance, and tech companies that recruit at CMC are familiar with and willing to sponsor the visa process for talented international graduates.

University Of Claremont McKenna College Application Statistics

1389
235
1389
132
20
8:1
11 %
$ 8000
3.6

University Of Claremont McKenna College Application Statistics

1389
235
1389
132
20
8:1
11 %
$ 8000
3.6

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