UNIVERSITY · CDS 2023-2024
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA 1,381 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
Top LACClaremontGovernment + Econ
Accept
11.1%
Yield
49.8%
Test
Optional
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%, computed)
1450–1510
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
710–740
SAT Math (mid 50%)
740–770
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
33–34
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTENot separately reported in CDS
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan details not yet recorded. | |||
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$67,630
Total COA
$88,810
Avg need-based aid
$66,085
Avg merit award
$20,142
Net price after avg need aid
$22,725
CMC meets 1% of demonstrated need on average.
Named merit programs
McKenna Achievement Award
$15,000 – $15,000 / yr (renewable)
Seaver Leadership Scholarship
$67,630 – $67,630 / yr (renewable)
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
CMC's AP Policy
CMC awards credit for AP scores of 4 or 5 in some subjects, while in others, scores are used for placement only. A maximum of four course credits can be earned from AP/IB exams. Credit is not granted for subjects not offered at CMC.
Min score
4
Credit cap
16 credits
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankConsidered
- Academic GPAVery Important
- Standardized test scoresConsidered
- Application EssayVery Important
- Recommendation(s)Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
Claremont McKenna College's mission is to prepare its students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions.
Distilled Themes
Thoughtful and productive livesResponsible leadershipBusiness, government, and the professions
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01They're looking for leaders, not just bookworms. Demonstrated leadership is key.
- 02A passion for the social sciences, particularly economics and government, is a huge plus.
- 03They value students who can articulate their interest in the unique environment of the Claremont Colleges consortium.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Signal a clear interest in leadership and a desire to make an impact.
- 02Showcase intellectual curiosity and a willingness to engage in debate and discussion.
- 03Highlight experiences that demonstrate collaboration and teamwork.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A lack of demonstrated interest in the college and its programs
- An application that seems generic and not tailored to CMC's specific values
- A purely academic focus without evidence of leadership or extracurricular engagement
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
The Athenaeum; Washington Program; Silicon Valley Program; Financial Economics Institute
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Early Decision I
Binding
Nov 1, 2025
→ Dec 15, 2025
Early Decision II
Binding
Jan 10, 2026
→ Feb 15, 2026
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Jan 10, 2026
→ Apr 1, 2026
Early Action
Not offered
—
Restrictive Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (2024-2025)
Not trackedWeight: Not Considered
Claremont McKenna College does not track demonstrated interest; their official policy states it is not a factor in admissions.
Save the energy
Do not spend effort on interest signals—focus on essays and academics instead.
Provenance