In your experience, which are the top liberal arts colleges in California?

Hi everyone! I'm leaning towards a liberal arts education, digging the idea of a multidisciplinary focus. I live in Cali and would prefer to stay relatively nearby. From your experience, which schools in California have the best liberal arts programs? Do some have unique offerings that might not be typical for a liberal arts curriculum?

Hello! In California, there are several highly-regarded liberal arts colleges that you may want to consider.

1. Pomona College: Located in Claremont as part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, Pomona is often regarded as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. Pomona provides students with the intimacy of a small liberal arts college as well as broader resources through the consortium.

2. Claremont McKenna College: Also part of the Claremont Colleges, Claremont McKenna has a particularly strong emphasis on social sciences, specifically in fields like government and economics.

3. Harvey Mudd College: If you're interested in STEM subjects, Harvey Mudd offers a unique combination of strong STEM programs within a traditional liberal arts framework.

4. Scripps College: Also part of the Claremont consortium, Scripps is a women's college renowned for its humanities programs.

5. Pitzer College: Another member of the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer is known for its emphasis on the social and behavioral sciences.

6. Occidental College: Located in Los Angeles, Occidental has a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum with a notable emphasis on interdisciplinary work and experiential learning.

All these institutions have a plethora of majors within the humanities and social sciences, and some also offer specialized programs within the sciences. The Claremont College Consortium's structure is quite distinctive; as a student of one college, you're allowed to take classes and avail yourself of resources at the other colleges too. This can provide you with a broad, diverse academic experience.

When researching these schools, make sure to consider not only their academic offerings but also each campus's culture and vibe to see what aligns best with your preferences and values. Best of luck!