Learn Lead Succeed

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The college search process is not easy. You will likely have many impressive institutions vying for your interest and consideration. What sets Claremont McKenna College apart from other highly selective, residential colleges and universities? We integrate the intellectual power of the liberal arts with dynamic innovation experience. We prepare our students to make a difference as thoughtful, productive, and responsible leaders in the private, public, and social sectors.

We are a community of 1,300 undergraduate students who are serious thinkers and effective doers who learn to solve complex problems through leadership in diverse settings. At CMC, you will put a rigorous liberal arts education to work through hands-on learning and real-world experience.

As you continue to think about your ambitions and the qualities you desire in a college, consider the following hallmarks of a CMC education and how that will help you to accomplish your intellectual, social, and professional goals.

“Claremont McKenna College is a vibrant supportive environment that focuses on personal growth. Our students are challenged both inside and outside the classroom. As a result, there is no better place to define who you will be as a leader than CMC.”

David G. Mgrublian ’82 P’11
Chief Executive Officer, IDS Real Estate Group
Chair of the CMC Board of Trustees

Learn Through Robust Academic Opportunities

There are a variety of ways for you to analyze, question, discover, and achieve your goals. At CMC, learning to lead requires the application of your knowledge to real-world challenges and opportunities. Our students draw on a full range of intellectually challenging experiences to frame and address the questions of our time.

CMC faculty are dedicated to your intellectual growth. At CMC, students and faculty inspire one another inside and outside the classroom.

1,341 total students enrolled

46 U.S. states represented

Over 40 countries represented

8:1 student-faculty ratio

1/3 of students have double or dual major

Nearly 80% of students conduct research with faculty

18 students is the average class size

Nearly 100% of CMC graduates take classes at the other 5Cs

80% of CMC classes have fewer than 20 students

Nearly 80% of students conduct research with faculty

Majors

• American Studies
• Asian Studies
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Biophysics
• Chemistry
• Classical Studies
• Economics
• Economics-Accounting
• Economics and Engineering (3/2 program)
• Environment, Economics, and Politics (EEP)
• Environmental Analysis Program (EAP)
• Film Studies (dual major only)
• French
• Government
• History
• International Relations
• Literature
• Mathematical Sciences
• Middle East Studies
• Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience
• Organismal Biology
• Philosophy
• Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPA)
• Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
• Physics
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Science Management
• Spanish

Sequences

• Asian American Studies
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Ethics
• Financial Economics
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Human Rights, Genocide, and Holocaust Studies
• Jewish Studies
• Leadership Studies
• Legal Studies
• Public Policy
• Scientific Modeling

5C Majors

• Africana Studies
• Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies
• Media Studies
• Theater

For more info about academic programs, please visit Academic Programs website.

In-Depth Research and Leadership Opportunities: Graduate-level Research as an Undergrad

Research is a distinct and defining feature of the CMC experience. CMC’s research institutes provide you with graduate-level research opportunities in collaboration with distinguished faculty. Each institute or center has a specific mission and develops programs to meet academic and co-curricular objectives.

Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children: Educates students, scholars, lawmakers, and the community about a wide range of work and family issues.

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Provides resources for faculty and student research, projects,and start-up enterprises in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Financial Economics Institute: Fosters education and research in financial economics by offering the Financial Economics Sequence, supporting state-of-the-art databases, and encouraging student-faculty interaction on research.

Gould Center for Humanistic Studies: Promotes the value of imagination as it provides opportunities for research, study, and experience in art, literature, history, philosophy, and other fields as a means to understand and develop the power and use of the imagination.

Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies: Promotes scholarly research and undergraduate education focused on understanding critical geopolitical and economic developments, particularly in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Kravis Leadership Institute: Focuses on teaching and research in the areas of leadership, social innovation, entrepreneurship, and organizational effectiveness.

Lowe Institute of Political Economy: Advances research in all areas of economics with an emphasis on public policy and faculty-student collaboration.

Mgrublian Center for Human Rights: Explores the causes of genocide and human rights abuses, as well as the policies and processes necessary to oppose them.

Roberts Environmental Center: Conducts student-led research and community interaction on environmental and conservation issues, involving natural sciences and policy sciences.

Rose Institute of State and Local Government: Provides students with the opportunity to engage in research on issues relevant to state and local government, particularly in California, to report the results of that research in various forums, and to do so in a way that furthers the education of the students and enhances the reputation of the College.

Salvatori Center for the Study of Individual Freedom in the Modern World: Engages in the study of political philosophy and freedom as they relate to American constitutionalism and the founding of the United States.

In 2017, CMC faculty published approximately

• 136 journal articles and book chapters

• 20 books

• 25 external grants

• 10 creative works

• 50 other articles, entries, and interviews

More info about Research Institutes

Real-World Experiences

Nearly $1 million funding available for sponsored internships & experiences

95% of students have at least one internship

CMC is a designated Ashoka U. Changemaker Campus

CMC’s emphasis on classroom and experiential learning attracts the top employers and graduate schools. At CMC, you will integrate real-world experiences and global perspectives with a rigorous liberal arts education that will prepare you to take on the careers and professions of the 21st century.

Soll Center for Student Opportunity offers programs and career advisors to help you recognize, cultivate, and translate your interests and strengths into meaningful and exciting real-world opportunities.

Career Services provides individualized career counseling, unrivaled networking trips, internship funding, and on-campus recruiting. Many of the nation’s best organizations come to campus to recruit CMC students for internship and employment opportunities.

Robert Day Scholars Program prepares highly motivated students for leadership roles in a variety of industries including financial services, consulting, and not-for-profit organizations. You can apply for this unique opportunity during your sophomore year.

Scholar Communities Program supports several scholar cohorts with first year internships, mentoring, advising, and other opportunities. Selection into the Scholar Communities is determined at the time of admission.

Where CMC students have completed internships at:

Amazon.com, AmeriCorps, Bank of America, Boeing Co., Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Citigroup, City of Hope, Deloitte Consulting, DropBox, Inc., Facebook, Google, HSBC, JetBlue Airways, KKR & Co., LinkedIn, Mars and Co., MasterCard, Mckinsey & Co., Microsoft, NBCUniversal, Random House, Target, Teach for America, The Wall Street Journal, and more.

Companies that have recruited at CMC for Internships and Employment Opportunities:

Amazon.com, Bain & Co., The Boston Consulting Group, The Capital Group Companies, Citigroup, Deloitte, DreamWorks, Ernst & Young, FDIC, Google, Intuit, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, National Football League (NFL), Peace Corps, National Economic Research Associates (NERA) Economic Consulting, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Teach for America, U.S. Department of State, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and more.

Recent Graduate School Destinations:

• Columbia University

• Georgetown University

• Harvard University

• Stanford University

• University of Chicago

A Global Perspective

45% CMC students spend at least one semester in an off-campus study program

Over 120 study-abroad programs offered in over 40 countries

We understand that leadership in today’s global society requires a global education. Whether you choose to study abroad, do an immersive internship, complete an international research project, or join an international academic travel program, you will come away with experiences that will change the way you see the world and yourself. The Center for Global Education provides an abundance of opportunities for you to expand your education in an international setting. CMC students can spend at least one semester in Study Abroad programs in more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia, and the Middle East.

CMC's Washington, D.C. and Silicon Valley off-campus study programs combine coursework with hands-on learning through internships and research.

Washington, D.C. Program

Providing a firsthand look at the inside workings of the nation’s capital, this semester-long program enables you to intern full time in the offices of elected officials, government agencies, and public interest groups while taking courses with CMC faculty and writing a major research paper. Internship sponsors include the White House Chief of Staff, House Oversight and Government Reform, Supreme Court, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Alliance for Global Justice, CNN, and American Public Health Association.

Silicon Valley Program

Affording students experience in the heart of innovation and technology, this semester-long program enables you to intern full time at today’s most exciting companies while taking courses with CMC faculty and writing a major research paper. Internship sponsors include Atlassian, Cisco, CrunchFund, Equinix, Intuit, Square, Tesla, and Uber.

STUDY ABROAD CMC students can spend at least one semester in Study Abroad programs in more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia, and the Middle East.

Visit Study abroad website for more info.

Close-Knit, Diverse Community

17% international students

97% of students live on campus

13% first-generation to college

36% students of color among US students

Over 200 5C clubs and organizations

CMC fosters an inclusive and diverse community, which is fluid, dynamic, and open. Attending CMC means joining a community with a strong commitment to supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion for students from all ethnicities, nationalities, races, and gender identification.

Clubs and Organizations

• Amnesty International
• Claremont Accounting Association
• Claremont Consulting Group
• Claremont Radius
• CREATE Club
• Film History and Appreciation Club
• !Mi Gente!
• Model United Nations
• Outdoor Initiative
• Sexuality and Gender Alliance
• Student Investment Fund
• Sustainable Students Promoting
• Environmental Awareness & Responsibility
• Women’s Forum.
• ... and more!

CARE Center: Civility, Access, Resources, and Expression

The CARE Center is a space for expression, study, dialogue, and exploration of our intersecting social identities, and how they inform the ways in which we live within, learn from, and engage with the world. Each year, current student CARE Fellows host programs designed to bring in a wide range of perspectives and provide space for diverse opinions.

Athletics at CMC

Athletics are vigorous, inclusive, and a key component of the College experience, whether you participate in varsity athletics, campus recreation or physical education activities. ClaremontMudd-Scripps (CMS) is a top-10 NCAA Division III athletics program, comprised of student-athletes from three Claremont Colleges: CMC, Harvey Mudd and Scripps.

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• CMS teams have won over 300 conference championships and five team national championships since the program’s inception in 1958, including national titles in each of the last three years (men’s tennis, men’s golf, and women’s volleyball).
• 16 of 21 sports have finished in the top-10 in the nation.
• 11 women’s and 10 men’s varsity NCAA Division III teams
• Mascots: Athenas (women) and Stags (men)
• 47 P.E. courses offered, along with walk-in fitness classes
• Approximately 20 club teams and intramural sports to participate in

Engage with Today's Leaders: Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum

The Athenaeum—affectionately known by CMCers as the “Ath”—is both CMC’s signature program and a social space for intellectual exploration and growth. Featuring speakers four evenings a week during the academic year, the Ath is a favorite extra class—thankfully without papers or exams— where each evening opens a window on new intellectual pursuits and personal development. Over 80 speakers come per academic year.

“The Ath has played a large part in my CMC experience since before I was even accepted. I was brought to a talk as a prospective student and immediately fell in love with the space. The caliber of the speakers, the engagement of the students with the topics, and the crucial role it plays on campus for discourse highlighted exactly what I wanted to receive from my college experience. Every time I come to the Ath, I learn something new and leave with a fresh perspective.” WESLEY WHITAKER ’18

PAST SPEAKERS AT THE ATHENAEUM INCLUDE:

MIGUEL E. BASÁÑEZ,
Former Ambassador of Mexico to the U.S.

ARTHUR BROOKS,
President of the American Enterprise Institute

CORNELL BROOKS,
Former President and CEO of the NAACP

LAVERNE COX,
Actress and LGBT advocate

DAVID FRUM,
Speechwriter for President George W. Bush; Senior Editor at The Atlantic

LOUISE GLÜCK,
U.S. Poet Laureate

BRANDI HOFFINE ’06,
Former Assistant Press Secretary and Spokesperson for the White House

JON HUNTSMAN, JR.,
U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Former Ambassador to China; Former Governor of Utah

BILLIE JEAN KING,
Tennis Legend

BILL KRISTOL,
Political Analyst and Commentator

LYNN NOVICK,
Documentarian and Director/Producer of the PBS series The Vietnam War

LISA RANDALL,
Renowned Theoretical Particle Physicist

DAVID SEDARIS,
Humorist, Comedian, Author, and Radio Contributor

NADINE STROSSEN,
Former President of the ACLU, Professor of Law at New York Law School

PETER THIEL,
Co-founder of PayPal

JEFFREY TOOBIN,
Supreme Court Expert, CNN Chief Legal Analyst, and Staff Writer for the New Yorker

For more information visit the ATHENAEUM WEBSITE

Success After CMC

CMC students and alumni make their mark on the world with the help of the lifelong support of a strong and engaged CMC community. At CMC, you will gain valuable real-world experiences that will prepare you for your chosen profession, and your time at CMC will give you the aptitude and insight to distinguish yourself and make a difference in the lives of others.

94% of grads have a job, are in grad school, or volunteer service, 6 months out of college

$66,788 average salary for classes of 2016-2017

CMC alumni making a difference

Kris Burrell ’99, Ph.D. – professor of American History & Civil Rights, City University of New York

David Dreier ’75 – former Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives and chairman of the House Rules Committee

Brandi Hoffine ’06 – former assistant White House press secretary

Anneke Jong ’05 – chief operating officer, Reserve, former COO, Google Creative Lab

Henry Kravis '67 and George R. Roberts '66 P'96 –  founding partnerrs, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

Nancy McCallin ’81, Ph.D. – president, Colorado Community College System

Ambassador C. Steven McGann ’73 – former ambassador to Fiji

David Oyadormari ’93 – senior executive vice president, Bank of Hawaii

Karina Ramos ’05, Ph.D. – senior staff psychologist, UC Irvine

Jeff Records ’81 – chairman and CEO, MidFirst Bank

Jonathan Rosenberg ’83 P’14 – vice president and senior advisor to the CEO, Google, Inc.

Claire Thomas ’07 – food blogger, author, director, and host of Food for Thought on ABC

Peter Thum ’90 – co-founder of Ethos Water, social entrepreneur, co-founder of Fonderie 47

The Claremont Colleges