Visit Report by BunsenBurner (Member since August 31 2007 with 663 posts) Visit Date - August 2007
Visit to Claremont McKenna College in August 2007 by BunsenBurner (Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Campus Tour:
Yes - Our tour was led by a very bubbly and enthusiastic student athlete. The tour was actually very informative
Claremont McKenna College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
There is something special about that SoCal sun that makes everyone friendly and laid back.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
The office staff was very courteous. A professor on her way from class stopped to ask if we needed directions, then took some time to talk to our daughter and answer her questions.
Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good -
The architecture here pales in comparison with Scripps or Pomona, but I liked the clean and modern look of the campus. Everything is conveniently located and well taken care of.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
On Some campuses absence of trash cans on every corner could mean piles of trash on the ground, but not here. Everything was clean, and it looked like students helped keep it that way by not littering
Dormitories: 5 - Excellent -
Dorms have cleaning staff, so even the boys' quarters (sorry, guys) looked neat compared to some other places.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
All Claremont campuses looked very secure. We saw some security people traveling on bikes, and there are emergency buttons/lights scattered throughout.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
CMC conveniently is located in the center of the 5-college consortium, and students have options of dining/attending classes on neighboring campuses.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
The area around the 5 consortium campuses is mostly residential with neatly landscaped yards.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
Claremont is a very lovely town. While we were there, its downtown was under construction, and the addition of lots of new shops/restaurants is anticipated to be completed soon.
Campus Visit Notes for Claremont McKenna College:
Visit Description:
Our main goal was to visit Scripps College, and as our daughter went to talk to a coach afterwards (Scripps, CMC, and Mudd share athletic facilities and comprise one of the two D-III teams of the Consortium), we ended up on CMC's campus. We took advantage of the afternoon tour. Our tour guide was informative and very proud and enthusiastic about her college. She informed us that CMC does allow alcohol on campus (some people in the crowd gasped and slowly drifted away from the tour group), to keep the kids from venturing into LA bars and crashing their cars on the way back. The campus is small, but as the center of the Consortium it has a feel of a much bigger place. At first, the campus looked almost deserted, but as soon as the classes ended, the lawns filled with students, frisbies appeared in the air, and the whole place become very lively. The students were very friendly and did look like the typical college kids we are used to in my hometown (no designer labels, excessive makup, etc.). The college's most popular majors are business, accounting, and international studies. It prides itself as the place where future US leaders get their education, and from what we heard, there is a balanced mix of semi-liberals and semi-conservatives on its campus.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
There aren't many hotel options right next to the consortium, but down the freeway there are plenty of lodging options, if you happen to rent a car.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
We loved Scripps' food! We noticed quite a few boys in the cafeteria - I was told CMC kids frequent Scripps for their meals. Claremont has some small places to eat.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
For major entertainment, LA is about 30 min away with public transportation available near campus; there is plenty of shopping down the freeway, and there is a Costco nearby with a gas station.
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There is something special about that SoCal sun that makes everyone friendly and laid back.
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The architecture here pales in comparison with Scripps or Pomona, but I liked the clean and modern look of the campus. Everything is conveniently located and well taken care of.