Application Instructions for First-Year International Applicants

All international applicants, regardless of their country of citizenship, whose first language is not English or who do not attend a school in which English is the primary language of instruction for a minimum of three years, must submit score results from one of the following approved English language tests.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-Based Test Only – 100 minimum recommended score
  • TOEFL Essentials is not accepted.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – 7.5 minimum recommended score 
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency – 190 minimum recommended score
• Duolingo English Test – 130 minimum recommended score

Sending Your Scores

Official test scores are required if submitting a Duolingo English Test (DET) score and preferred for all other accepted exams. If providing official TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or CAE scores is a financial burden, applicants may self-report these scores through the CMC applicant portal. Access to the portal is granted after the application is received by the CMC Office of Admission. Applicants will find a form to submit their self-reported test scores and must provide a PDF score report for each test.

All DET scores must be sent electronically to CMC through the applicant's DET portal. Self-reported English proficiency scores from the Common Application or Coalition Application will not be accepted.

Applicants admitted based on self-reported scores must submit official test scores before the Fall semester begins if they choose to enroll. The Admission Office will verify self-reported scores against official records and will notify students of any discrepancies.

English Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request

If an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for an exemption from the English proficiency requirement, and it is not automatically waived on their application checklist, they can submit a waiver request form which will appear in their CMC applicant portal.

For international students, IntialView is the preferred interview option to include with your application. InitialView interviews are unscripted, unbiased, and recorded conversations that are reviewed alongside your application for admission. By hearing your authentic voice and observing you in a natural, conversational setting, we gain a deeper understanding to how you may thrive in and out of the classroom and contribution to the CMC community. 

CMC also accepts Vericant interviews which include a recorded behavioral interview that we review as a part of your CMC application. Vericant interviews provide a structured way for you to share your voice and personality and they also include an assessment of your English proficiency.   

Please contact InitialView or Vericant to inquire about fee waivers. The CMC Office of Admission has limited fee waivers for applicants. 

CMC Optional Video Response 

After submitting your application, you will receive instructions on how to submit an optional two-minute video specifically for your CMC application. The optional video is a chance for you to tell us more about yourself beyond the information you provided in your application. The most compelling video responses have a genuine voice and highlight your thoughtfulness and authenticity. Videos can be simple, filmed straight to the camera, and are not expected to have editing or be professional quality.  

The optional video response does not substitute the InitialView or Vericant interview for non-native English speakers. International applicants whose first language is not English are encouraged to submit an InitialView or Vericant interview.  While now required, the video response is a great opportunity for you to tell us about yourself beyond what you provided in your application.

Video response prompts:

1. An important part of Claremont McKenna College's mission is preparing students for responsible leadership. How do you define "responsible leadership," and how have you demonstrated responsible leadership in your family, community, or school?
2. At CMC, we promote the understanding of public policy issues as it makes our students and alumni more effective leaders in their respective career fields. What is a public policy issue (whether locally, nationally, or globally) that you feel passionately about, and how do you hope to address it either in the present or the future? How can CMC assist you with addressing the issue?
3. The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is the heart of intellectual and social engagement at Claremont McKenna College, bringing students, faculty, and staff closer together through active discussion on a daily basis. If you could invite someone to speak at the Athenaeum, who would they be, what questions would you ask them, or what topic would you want to discuss with them at the Athenaeum dinner?
4. Collaboration involves working with people towards a common goal or project. It is a challenging skill that develops with time and experience. We want to learn more about the challenges you have encountered with collaboration. Tell us about when a collaborative effort you were involved in was challenging or even failed. What did your experience teach you about collaboration, and share how it has informed your leadership style?

Merit-Based Scholarships (Priority Deadline December 1)

Merit-based scholarships are available for all first-year applicants and are determined by the Office of Admission through the application review process. For priority consideration for merit scholarships, your application for admission and all supporting credentials must be submitted by December 1. There is no separate application process for CMC scholarships.

For more information about merit-based scholarships please visit www.cmc.edu/admission/scholarships. For more information about need-based financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid Office at www.cmc.edu/financial-aid.

If you would like to be considered for merit-based scholarships:

• Merit scholarships are only available for first-year applicants
• Submit your Common Application or Coalition Application by December 1 for priority consideration
• All merit scholarships are determined by the Office of Admission through the application review process

Need-based Financial Aid Policies for International Students

Jennifer Hirsch, Senior Associate Dean of International Admission 
[email protected]; Connect with Jenn on the road!
International territories: Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Middle East, and Oceania 

Maureen Ruiz Sundstrom, Senior Associate Dean of Admission
[email protected]; Connect with Maureen on the road!
International territory: Canada