Robert Day Scholars Program

Jessica Fox

"Not only did the variety of finance courses that I completed as a Robert Day Scholar give me an edge over other new hires when starting my consulting career, the multi-disciplinary focus of additional required courses also gave me a deeper respect and understanding of the less glamorous and more subtle forces that drive the business world."
—Jessica Fox, CMC’09

The Robert Day Scholars Program prepares highly motivated students for leadership roles in a variety of industries, including financial services, consulting, technology and not-for-profit organizations. By completing coursework that provides students with the fundamental skills necessary to navigate complex organizations, Robert Day Scholars graduate with the foundation necessary to excel at the start of their careers.

Since the first class of graduates in 2009, the Robert Day Scholars Program has provided selected Claremont College students with academic and professional development programming designed to support future success in leadership positions across disciplines and industries. Extensive co-curricular programming reinforces academic requirements and access to experiential funding (approximately $10,000 for approved experiences) accompanies selection.

Curriculum: This highly respected Program is actually a set of programs offering varying levels of curricular depth in finance, accounting and organizational behavior/leadership. Curricular options are as follows:

BA Scholars: This 5C program requires one year each of finance, accounting and organizational behavior/leadership coursework. The finance curricular requirements are satisfied with completion of ECON 134: Corporate Finance (and prerequisites) and the accounting requirements are satisfied with completion of ECON 86 and a second accounting course. Note that the changes to the Silicon Valley Program (SVP) now recognize two of the SVP courses as satisfying both of the leadership course requirements of the Robert Day Scholars program. All courses double-count toward degree requirements.

BA/MA Scholars: This accelerated option for CMC students enables completion of the Master’s Program in Finance (MA) concurrently with earning one’s undergraduate degree at CMC. This program requires a total of 36 credits, completion of an approved summer internship; participation in FIN 300 & FIN 301, and thesis defense of a thesis in finance.

MA Scholars: This stand-alone program allows students at the Claremont Colleges and select partnering institutions to complete a Master's degree in finance in one year.

Scholars are expected to maintain academic excellence after selection.

Robert Day Scholars are also provided with, and actively participate in, a rich program of personal and professional development activities. These activities - including guest speakers, networking trips, and workshops - are designed to provide students with an understanding of the importance of a strong ethical foundation in decision-making settings and to broaden their leadership skill sets in areas such as communications and critical thinking. Alumni are members of the Robert Day Scholars Program for life and continue to engage with the community well beyond graduation.

Prospective Students:

Selection: Selection to each of the Robert Day Scholars Programs is highly competitive and is based on demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential. The application deadlines and number of students selected in each class have varied slightly, as have requirements for assessment exercises and/or interviews as part of the selection process.

The application includes requirements for a resume, unofficial transcript, and identification of three references (in-class, on-campus and off-campus). While references should be asked prior for their support, no letters of recommendation are to be requested or submitted with the application. CMC students must indicate whether they are applying to the BA or BA/MA program.

Selection is weighted equally between academic performance and demonstrated leadership potential.

Please communicate any questions to Amy Flanagan at aflanagan@cmc.edu.

Current Robert Day Scholars

Curriculum

Current Robert Day Scholars in the BA program who have questions concerning satisfying the curricular requirements of the program should direct them to the Faculty Chair of the Robert Day School, Professor David Bjerk: dbjerk@cmc.edu.

Current Robert Day Scholars in the BA/MA or MA program should direct curricular questions to the Graduate Programs Director, Professor Eric Hughson: ehughson@cmc.edu.

Leadership, Personal & Professional Development:

FIN 301A (fall) and B (spring) are required 1/4 credit, co-curricular classes built on workshops and class sessions dedicated to your development as an individual, member of a team and society, and as a future leader. The FIN 301 courses are transitioning as requirements from senior to junior year. Scholars studying off-campus will complete the relevant course during senior year.

As a Robert Day Scholar, you have access to experiential funding which can be used to support your personal and professional development.

Experiential learning is the epitome of CMC’s ethos to “learn to do and do to learn.” We want you to be creative with this opportunity to push your boundaries, expand your comfort zone, and challenge yourself in any number of ways. With that in mind, the nature of any worthwhile experiential learning should have a logical connection to your personal and professional development goals.

For more information, current Robert Day Scholars should visit the Robert Day Scholar Program Experiential Funding web page.

Questions should be directed to Amy Flanagan at aflanagan@cmc.edu.

Career Development:

Questions concerning ongoing career development should be directed to Amy Flanagan at aflanagan@cmc.edu.

Robert Day Scholars and Alumni

Please use the links below to see the list of recently announced Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2023 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2022 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2021 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2020 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2019 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2018 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2017 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2016 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2015 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2014 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2013 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2012 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2011 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2010 Robert Day Scholars

Class of 2009 Robert Day Scholars