Claremont McKenna College Admissions: Acceptance Rate, GPA, SAT
Government, economics, and finance focused LAC in the Claremont consortium.
See your real chances at CMC
AdmitPath scores your profile across 7 dimensions and tells you, honestly, where you stand.
What it takes to get into CMC
CMC accepts roughly 9% of applicants — highly selective by any measure.The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1400 and 1520 on the SAT, and the average unweighted GPA is around 3.89.
Numbers alone don't get you in. CMC reads holistically — they want to see academic rigor in your high school transcript (AP/IB/Honors course load), genuine intellectual curiosity, leadership in extracurriculars, a clear “spike” or area of demonstrated excellence, strong essays, and recommendation letters that vouch for your character.
Test-optional policies vary year to year. Even where tests are optional, applicants who submit scores in the 75th-percentile range typically have an edge. Check CMC's admissions page for the current cycle's policy.
What CMC Weighs in Admissions
Visual breakdown from Common Data Set Section C7
CMC Acceptance Rate
9% acceptance rate with SAT, GPA benchmarks and selectivity analysis.
How to Get Into CMC
Data-driven admissions strategy based on CDS weights and what actually matters.
How to Write the “Why CMC?” Essay
Research tips, common mistakes, and what admissions is actually looking for.
See Where You Stand
GPA vs SAT scattergram — compare your stats to admitted and rejected students.
Practice CMC Interview Questions
AI-scored mock interview with real alumni questions. 5-dimension feedback.
CMC Admissions FAQ
What is CMC's acceptance rate?
CMC admits approximately 9% of applicants based on the most recent reported Common Data Set figures. This rate has trended downward over the past decade as application volumes have grown.
What SAT score do you need for CMC?
Admitted students at CMC typically score between 1400 (25th percentile) and 1520 (75th percentile) on the SAT. Hitting or exceeding the 75th percentile gives you a meaningful edge.
What GPA do you need for CMC?
The average admitted student at CMC has an unweighted GPA of approximately 3.89 on a 4.0 scale — though weighted GPAs and course rigor matter just as much as the raw number.
Is CMC test-optional?
CMC's testing policy varies by cycle. Some years they are test-optional, some years test-required. Always confirm on the official admissions page before submitting.
Compare CMC with similar schools
Stats are approximate, drawn from publicly-reported Common Data Set figures. Confirm current numbers on CMC's official admissions site.