Claremont McKenna College
One of the Claremont Colleges, focused on economics, government, and public affairs.
- Next deadline
- Nov 1, 2026Early Decision
- Essays
- 1Prompt
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 10.4%Selective
- Enrollment
- 1,338Small undergrad
Build your Claremont McKenna College application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Why School250 words2026-2027
CMC's mission is to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions. With this mission in mind, please explain why you want to attend Claremont McKenna College.
How to approach Claremont McKenna College's supplemental essays
Make fit concrete
Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.
Use this as a blank structure for a Claremont McKenna College why-school response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at Claremont McKenna College, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does Claremont McKenna College require?
Claremont McKenna College has 1 supplemental essay listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does Claremont McKenna College accept the Common Application?
Yes — Claremont McKenna College accepts the Common Application.
What is Claremont McKenna College's acceptance rate?
Claremont McKenna College's most recently reported acceptance rate is 10.4%.
When is Claremont McKenna College's next application deadline?
Claremont McKenna College's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 1, 2026.
What does Claremont McKenna College's why-school essay prompt ask (250 words)?
CMC's mission is to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions. With this mission in mind, please explain why you want to attend Claremont McKenna College.
Sources and verification
We prioritize Claremont McKenna College's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
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