Claremont McKenna College (CMC) was the third of my Claremont visits and showed yet another distinctive culture. The CMC mission is “to educate it’s students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions.” As such, practical learning takes center stage with an emphasis on internships and research in one of thirteen different research institutes at CMC. 95% of CMC students complete at least one internship enabled by $2.3 million of funding to support students in unpaid internships and experiences. CMC Athenaeum arranges guest dinner speakers from all fields four days a week throughout the school year. Students dress in business attire, enjoy the chance to network during the free three-course dinner, and the student who signs up first earns the opportunity to dine at the guest speaker’s table.

CMC’s liberal arts curriculum focuses on building leaders, invoking spirited and open debate, and collaboration. The most popular majors include economics, government, data science, psychology, politics, international relations, history, and the environment. Freshmen take a first year writing class as well as a humanities seminar. All students complete general education requirements and culminate their studies with a senior thesis. CMC offers 140 study abroad programs as well as internship programs in Washington DC and Silicon Valley. Students intern during the day and complete CMC classes in the evenings.

The culture bleeds pre-professional tracks and 80% of students work for a few years before many head to graduate school. My gut suggests that CMC leans the least liberal (rather than most conservative) of the Claremont Colleges. Fiske Guide speaks about a “bro culture” but I didn’t witness it. I saw purposeful, dedicated students who seemed really focused on their study groups and professional endeavors. The tour didn’t speak much about the social life, but students seemed focused and involved. I’ve loved my time exploring this consortium and wish I’d had time to tour Pomona College and Harvey Mudd.