Wonderful college experience — smart peers, great professors, and a lovely place to become an adult

Slightly less name recognition on east coast than peer schools

Visit! CMC is all about fit. The 5C community is fantastic, really gives you the social benefits of a slightly larger college with the administrative/logistical benefits of a small school.

Yes

The admission office emphasizes fit with the college's emphasis on a pragmatic approach to academics, and leadership in public affairs. Each applicant writes a supplementary leadership essay, in which they advise a leader of their choice - real or fictional.

3

2012

Students love dorms and almost everyone lives on campus.

Unique essay prompts. Common app.

2011

There are a variety of general education requirements as well as major degree requirements. The class sizes are small. The study abroad opportunities are excellent.

housing is great because most students live on campus. It provides a safe sense of community and a safe environment. The dining halls are pretty great. Overall I am happy

The school has many short essay questions that are actually really interesting and creative questions to ask students. Interviews are optional. They also have early decision 1 and 2 as well as regular decision. The financial aid is great.

3

2012

My professors have office hours several times a week and many of them live within walking distance of campus. Furthermore, my dorm room is located within 150 yards of all of my professors' offices. It is hard to live amongst a faculty more accessible than what we have here at CMC. My classes are small and as a science major, my labs are even smaller. Because we are a liberal arts college, research opportunities are plentiful without competition from graduate students.

Most schools at the top of the rankings will give you a similar academic experience. CMC is uniquely focused on maintaining a high quality of student life through its residential and social programs. Our dorms are among the best and we have food to match. Furthermore, being part of a consortium means that there are numerous dining halls that we can pick from. These are just some of the many reasons why CMC students are the happiest in the nation.

The admission process at CMC is very straight forward and nothing less than what you would expect from one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the U.S. Unlike other colleges, CMC puts more emphasis on the activity sheet from high school and previous demonstration of leadership potential. CMC's admission office is also looking for fit. CMC is more concerned with admitting students that will fit into the CMC community than simply admitting the students with the highest SAT/ACT scores. Our admission officers are extremely helpful and outgoing. They do not exhibit the same arrogance and pretentious behavior demonstrated by admission officers at similarly selective institutions.

4

2012

There are more GE requirements than at most other schools, including other liberal arts institutions. We have the unique opportunity to cross-major (major at any of the other 4 colleges we share a campus with) while still retaining a diploma from CMC. Class sizes are always capped at 19. Research opportunities are abundant; if a student wants a research position s/he can generally find one. The lower level classes are typically filled with student athletes. More than half of students study abroad; I had the opportunity to spend a semester working full-time plus taking classes in Washington, DC on CMC's unique Washington Program. CMC professors generally don't inflate grades.

Housing is expensive but worth it. 99 percent of students stay on campus all 4 years, which is a rarity. We have a great library, which is shared amongst 5 schools -- this gives us the benefit of remaining a small, tight-knit school while having the resources of a larger insitution. The same is true with the dining halls, as we can eat at one of 7 across all the schools at any given time. Crime is very low and many students feel comfortable leaving their belongings (including computers and the like) alone for shorter periods of time out in public. The neighborhood is great, and the village of Claremont is within walking distance and has many places to relax and find food on a weekend afternoon. We were ranked by the Daily Beast as the Happiest Students at any school in the country, and it's very much the truth.

The application consists of the Common App plus an additional, very unique set of college-specific questions. I applied regular decision, but many others I know applied early decision. Financial aid is very generous and is all grant-based (no loans.) Many scholarship opportunities exist, especially for minorities/underprivileged students and students looking for interdisciplinary majors.

3

2012

Many general education requirements, small class sizes, accessible professors with great research opportunities.

Everyone lives on campus. It is a safe and happy campus with great people and great facilities.

Common app, with supplement questions. Early decision I and II.

2

2013

Liberal arts school: many general education requirements. All majors are academically excellent, but known for economics and government. Many interdisciplinary majors (EX. Environment, Economics, and Politics). Advisers are professors. Classes are small. Professors are easily accessible. Many research opportunities. Competitive but not in a bad way. Fair grading. Many notable faculty and alumni. Most students study abroad: it is easy and affordable. Workload is fair.

Housing is great: dorms are nice, housekeepers clean. Cost is expensive but many have great financial aid packages. Campus is well kept my maintenance crew. Facilities are well kept and include a pool, study area, computer labs. Library is a short walk and great pace to study. Dining is great. Surrounding neighborhood is nice: upper class village. Very safe. Very happy.

Common application with additional unique supplement. Optional interviews. Early decisions and regular decision. Great financial aid rewards. Some scholarships.

2

2013

1/3rd of your classes are general education requirements, classified into different groups. Another 1/3 is major requirements if you're a single major. An academic advisor is assigned to you upon your arrival and they are extremely accessible. Most classes are under 17, but if you are in a big class (i was in one of the two 60-people classes they offer!) the atmosphere is very similar to that of a big class and the professor will ensure that you're not lost. There are plenty of research opportunities on campus, even for freshmen. Although the college is highly selective, the competition is with yourself and no one else. Grading varies based on the class and professor. The faculty is extremely well know in their respective fields, especially the economics, government/IR and lit faculty. Approximately 50-60% of CMC students study abroad at some point of their 4 years.

The housing is the best I've seen, with maid service bimonthly at all dorms. Although Claremont is a relatively expensive neighborhood, cost of living isn't too high as most of your activities are within the college premises. The library is brilliantly equipped for a college of its size and the atmosphere is extremely safe. The college is rated the happiest in the world with reason enough and almost all students are very happy to be there!

Common application and a supplement, with 1 long essay on a leader o your choice and a 'Why CMC' short essay. I applied Regular Decision and met with an admission's officer for an interview.

1

2014