HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE - CLAREMONT - CALIFORNIA - USA

Small private liberal arts college of engineering, science and mathematics
Founded in 1955
The highest quality technical education but with a liberal arts approach – how STEM can be applied to society
Residential campus
Around 900 undergraduates
92% graduation rate in 4 years
Retention rate 98%
Very selective – around 14%
9:1 students to faculty ratio
50:50 male/female
9% international
Amongst highest earning graduates in the US

7 colleges based in close proximity to one another in the town of Claremont – a ‘family’ of universities
5 cater to undergraduate students: Harvey Mudd, Scripps, Pitzer, Claremont McKenna and Pomona
6,000+ students in total
Considered amongst the best undergrad colleges in the US
Each has an individual identify and academic focus, but many resources are shared
Students can take classes across all of the colleges – enrolment takes place through a central system
100% of HMC students take classes in other colleges
Students can eat meals and participate in activities at the other colleges
Shared libraries, campus safety, and health and wellness services
Ensures students get to benefit from the diverse range of academic and non-academic opportunities offered by larger institutions

Only 10 majors: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Maths, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, Computer Science and maths, Maths and Physics, Mathematical and Computational Biology
Very broad based majors – eg. only a single engineering programme
Cannot select a major in the first year.
All students gain a broad understanding across the sciences through the core curriculum
HM Curriculum = ⅓ major + ⅓ core curriculum + ⅓ HSA (Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts)
Students are required to take 10 courses in HSA – many of these can be taken across the five undergraduate Claremont colleges
Lots of interdisciplinary teaching
Very collaborative approach – teamwork from day one. No competition for grades – each student has a responsibility to help others learn and grow. 1st semester = pass/fail only.
Paired programming in computer science is an example of this focus on collaboration
Writing and communication skills are also very important – 8:1 student to faculty ratio in compulsory writing classes
100% of students do research – can start from their freshman year and there are paid summer and school year options
A research project is required to graduate – either a senior thesis or the Clinic Program
One of the leading US colleges in terms of % that go on to PhD study.
Graduates are highly sought after and are some of the highest earning in all of the US
Top 3 employers (2021 graduating class): Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon

Early Decision 1 – 15th November
Early Decision 2 – 5th January
Regular Decision – 5th January
Application fee – $70
Do not track demonstrated interest
Admissions is focused on finding the right people for HMC. They get excited about people and process – they don’t want to see a long list of things that an applicant engages in, but rather that they get the spirit of what HMC is about. Emphasis on how applicants answer the ‘Why are you applying to HM?’ question.
Apply via Common App or Coalition
Application: HMC short answer questions, counsellor recommendation, one maths/science teacher recommendation + one HSA teacher recommendation (must have both), transcript – should include one year of Physics, Chemistry and Calculus prior to enrolment
SAT/ACT optional

One of the most expensive colleges in the US, but also one of the leading in terms of return on investment
2022 TCOA = $82,236
Need aware for international students / need-blind for domestic
Very small budget for international students who will require aid
In 2022 22% of international students received aid. Average = $30,373
Automatic consideration for most merit awards – but three additional scholarships that require an additional application

61 HMC clubs + over 360 Claremont College clubs
NCAA Div III athletics + extensive club and intramural sporting opportunities
Students are big foodies – one of the most popular clubs is the Cheese Club
Many events taking place on and off campus – the Committee for Activities Planning arranges lots of fun activities and promotes school spirit
Opportunities to mingle socially with faculty – to get to know each other as human beings
Extensive academic and pastoral support. Eg. Academic Excellence & Writing Centre, Careers Services, Peer Academic Liaisons, mentoring, faculty office hours and open door policy
Peer-Led Honour Code

Good fit HMC students really love maths and science – but don’t want to sacrifice their interest in the HSA. Want to be part of a close knit, collaborative community.

HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE – CLAREMONT – CALIFORNIA – USA