Hi, all. I’ve read/heard that Claremont McKenna and Harvey Mudd are good colleges for conservative students but most of what I’ve read is from 5 years ago or more; does that still seem true?
Is Claremont as a town a conservative-friendly place?
I know the Claremont Colleges lean left overall (like 99% of colleges in general), but I don’t want to feel constantly out of place or like I can’t speak my mind without being ostracized. I have “liberal” views on some things (like legalization of marijuana, same-sex marriage, etc), but I take a lot of issue with radical leftism (like BLM, LGBT extremism [I’m gay myself but I don’t agree with a lot of what the current LGBT movement stands for], identity politics in general, etc.)
I enjoy having respectful, productive discussions with people of all views, but I attended a very liberal high school at which I often felt like I was the only conservative on campus, and I’d like to avoid a similarly isolating experience at college.
For reference, an environment like Berkeley or Stanford would be a nightmare for me. Is Claremont anything like that or more live-and-let-live?
There aren’t many students who would consider both CMC and Mudd. What are you hoping to study?
Yes, there are conservative students at the 5C’s, especially at CMC (whose board of directors is probably more conservative than you!) If you want to have your finger on the conservative pulse at the 5C’s, the Claremont Independent would be a good place to start. Personally, I am not a huge fan, for a couple of reasons:
Despite the “Independent” name (which means they don’t receive funding from the colleges) they are anything but, because they are both heavily funded and heavily “boosted” in the national media by national right-wing organizations, who take a strong hand in guiding the messaging to be provocative in a way that helps stories to go viral in such circles.
There have been instances of very questionable journalistic ethics, notably “doxxing” students they disagree with, which in combination with the “boosting” noted above, has led to extreme bullying and, a few years ago, the suicide of a much-loved 5C’s student… yet it didn’t seem as if much soul-searching resulted.
However… you sound like a thoughtful young person who might provide some valuable perspective within the paper’s team, so have a look and see what you think! If nothing else, it will prove to you that conservative perspectives are alive and well at the Claremonts!
Most colleges students go to class, do clubs, study, drink.
You can find perspectives at many campuses but other than certain types (like Hillsdale), you’ll find all perspectives on college campuses - even those considered liberal and those considered conservative.
And that’s great - you want a diversity because you go to college to learn and in real life, you likely won’t be only with like minded.
That said, most kids don’t seem to get politically invoved - but it’s there if they seek it.
I would not let my leanings decide whether or not I’m right for a Claremont -or most any other university (short of a Hillsdale, Bob Jones, BYU, etc.).
You sound a lot like my son, he didn’t want Hillsdale but he also didn’t want Oberlin.
I think Claremont McKenna is a great independent thinker kind of school, I wouldn’t say it’s conservative, more libertarian and open to debate. Harvey Mudd is a school for math kids, at least that’s my experience with students there, I wouldn’t think it’s very political at all.
The city of Claremont is politically moderate with left leanings (but not dramatically so); it’s definitely no Berkeley. People are more educated and wealthy than average (and compared to the neighboring communities).
I don’t know if you identify as Christian but the 5Cs share a supportive Christian fellowship community (InterVarsity).
All the kids who attend the 5Cs from our local HS school that I’ve known in the past few years have been down to earth kids from conservative leaning families.