Claremont McKenna College 2025 Admission Statistics

Claremont McKenna Admission Guide — Class of 2030 (Applying 2025‑26)

“CMC is where future policy‑shapers learn to turn insight into impact.” — Admission dean, April 2025

Why read this?

You’re a current junior who will press “submit” in the 2025‑26 cycle.
Claremont McKenna’s freshly released 2024‑25 Common Data Set reveals who got in, what it cost, and how they stood out. Instead of digging through spreadsheets, use this narrative cheat‑sheet—no tables, no fluff—to plan every move from coursework to deposit day.

The Admission Landscape — Numbers in Plain English

• 6 529 first‑year applications last cycle; 626 offers; overall admit rate ≈ 9.6 %.
• Early Decision bump. 967 ED apps → 226 admits → ≈ 23 % admit rate. Regular drops to ≈ 7.6 %.
• Yield power. 337 enrolled → 53.9 % yield—a seat at CMC is rarely declined.
• Persistence. First‑year retention 98 %; six‑year graduation nudges 92 %.

Academic Profile of the 2024‑25 Admitted Class

• Testing optional but potent. Only 26 % submitted SAT, 13 % ACT.
  • Middle‑50 % SAT: 1490 – 1550
  • Middle‑50 % ACT: 33 – 35
• Top of the class. Three‑quarters of reporting admits ranked in the top 10 %.
• Course rigor reigns. CMC tags curriculum difficulty and GPA as “very important.”

What Claremont McKenna Values (and How to Show It)

• Leadership with measurable impact. Chair Model UN, spearhead a voter‑turnout drive, or launch a fintech club—then quantify results in your Activities list.
• Real‑world engagement. Internships, think‑tank research, paid work—especially at the intersection of government, economics, and public affairs—signal CMC fit.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration. Describe moments you bridged STEM and policy or partnered across schools; the 5C ecosystem loves cross‑pollinators.
• Original voice. Essays that debate an ethical dilemma or policy idea trump generic service stories. Reflect, take a stance, and back it with evidence.
• Demonstrated interest. Attend an Athenaeum livestream or on‑campus info session and drop a specific reference in your supplement.

The Money Question

• Need‑blind for U.S. citizens / PRs and meets 100 % of demonstrated need.
• Average first‑year need package: $67 764; grants cover ~$64 K, loans minimal.
• Merit scholarships exist. Two dozen no‑need freshmen still netted ~$23 K each.
• Sticker price watch. Expect total cost north of $85 K for 2025‑26; updated figures post every April.
• Aid deadlines: CSS Profile + FAFSA by January 17 (priority) or February 1 (final) 2026.

Anticipated Timeline for Class of 2030

Spring 2025

• Confirm senior schedule—AP Calc BC or Statistics, AP Gov/Econ, advanced language.
• Register for August/October SAT or ACT only if a 1490+ / 33+ feels reachable.

Summer 2025

• Draft Common App essay and the two 250‑word CMC prompts.
• Audit résumé—state outcomes (“raised $8 000 for micro‑grants”).

Early Fall 2025

• Visit Claremont or join a virtual tour; log attendance for demonstrated interest.
• Secure rec letters from teachers who saw you lead.

November  1  2025 — ED I deadline (results mid‑December).

January  10  2026 — ED II & Regular deadline; aid forms mirror app.

March  22  2026 — Aid letters arrive.

May  1  2026 — Deposit day.

Life on the Hill

• 8 : 1 student‑faculty ratio; 78 % of classes under 20 students.
• Residential culture. 100 % of first‑years live on campus; 97 % stay all four years.
• National & global draw. 52 % come from outside California; 18 % hold international passports.
• No Greek life. Social energy flows from dorm events and the larger 5‑College consortium.
• Signature perks. Rose Institute, Robert Day Scholars, the Athenaeum speaker series, and semester programs in D.C. or Silicon Valley.

How to Decide If CMC Fits

1. Do you thrive in small, debate‑driven classes?
2. Does public policy or economics light you up?
3. Could you leverage a 5‑college network?
4. Will SoCal sunshine boost—not melt—your focus?

Check at least three boxes? CMC likely belongs near the top of your list—especially in Early Decision.

Quick‑Hit Checklist

• [ ] Finalize rigorous senior courses.
• [ ] Decide ED vs. Regular by mid‑October.
• [ ] Hit 1490 SAT / 33 ACT or skip testing.
• [ ] Submit CSS Profile + FAFSA by Jan 17 2026.
• [ ] Name‑drop an Athenaeum talk in your supplement.
• [ ] Quantify every leadership bullet.

Final Word

Claremont McKenna admits fewer than one in ten applicants, yet its holistic review rewards intentionality. Show leadership that moves the needle, voice that interrogates ideas, and the academic muscle to thrive in seminar settings. Execute on the timeline above and you’ll join the select 337 Stags & Athenas who bring Ninth Street to life each fall.

Need a data‑savvy copilot? GoodGoblin models your GPA, résumé, and essay drafts against real CMC admit data—then surfaces targeted, actionable improvements. Start your free trial today and turn raw ambition into an admit letter.