What it takes to get into Claremont McKenna College
The numbers admitted students had, and the parts of an application Claremont McKenna Collegereports it weighs. Both come from the college’s own reporting.
Acceptance rate
9.6%
SAT middle 50%
1470–1560
median 1475
ACT middle 50%
33–35
median 34
Testing
optional
28% submitted an SAT
Top 10% of class
64%
of admitted students
Reported by the college
What Claremont McKenna College weighs
Requirements tell you what to submit. This tells you what happens to it once you do, which is the more useful of the two and the part almost nobody looks up.
Very important
The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.
- Grades
- Course rigor
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Character and personal qualities
Important
Weighed, though below the factors above.
- Talent or ability
- Interview
Considered
Looked at, but not decisive on its own.
- Class rank
- Test scores
- First-generation status
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
Reported as playing no part in the decision.
- Demonstrated interest
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
From Claremont McKenna College’s Common Data Set, 2025, section C7, where colleges report how heavily they weigh each part of an application.
Where you stand
Run your own numbers
These are the numbers admitted students had. The next question is where yours land inside them, and what to do about the gap.
Common questions
Claremont McKenna College requirements, answered
What matters most for Claremont McKenna College admissions?
Claremont McKenna College reports that it treats grades, course rigor, essay, recommendations as very important. Those are where the work pays off, and the college is the source, not a guess.
What does Claremont McKenna College not consider?
Claremont McKenna College reports that demonstrated interest, state residency, religious affiliation play no part in its decision. This is worth knowing because effort spent on any of them does not count here, whatever it does elsewhere.
Does Claremont McKenna College require the SAT or ACT?
No, Claremont McKenna College is test-optional. About 28% of the enrolled class submitted an SAT, so applying without one is common here.
What Spike does with this
Build toward what Claremont McKenna College actually reads.
Spike takes the factors a college weighs and works them into your courses, testing, essays, and activities over time.
One email when Spike opens. No card, no account. About the waitlist.