Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Claremont McKenna admits about 1 in 11 applicants (9.4%). That puts it in the "Highly selective" tier, more selective than 98% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (9.8% and 9.7%).
$70 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
California applicants were admitted at 10%, applicants from other states at 14%, and international applicants at 4.9%.
All applicants in the same class: 9.4%
Of those admitted, 51% from California enrolled, against 52% from other states and 50% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
51% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Wait list: 711 offered a place, 469 accepted, 61 admitted (13% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 22% admitted
216 of 978 early applicants; 9.4% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Second round: apply by Jan 10; decisions by Feb 15
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Claremont McKenna reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both considered. Scores are optional. 34% of first-years sent an SAT and 13% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 15% whose high school reported a rank, 64% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of math and 3 of science (3 and 2 required). See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
8.1% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 9.4% of first-year applicants
307 applied · 25 admitted · 14 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date February 15, apply by May 1
- Spring entry: priority date October 15, apply by December 5
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Recommended for some
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 10 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- $200 housing deposit, due July 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 2 years.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 2 / 3) | 2 | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3 | 3 |
| Social studies | 1 | 1 |
| History | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 14 | 17 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
64% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 94% in the top quarter, of the 15% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Claremont McKenna College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1510 on the SAT, 340 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (96%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (92%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (95%) scored 700 or higher.
Shares of the 34% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
115 studentssubmitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Claremont McKenna College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Claremont McKenna College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Claremont McKenna College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Claremont McKenna College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)