What are the dorms like at Claremont McKenna?

I'm really curious about the dorm situation at Claremont McKenna College. For those who've lived there, how are the living conditions? Are most of the dorms pretty modern or more on the traditional side? Also, how's the social scene within the dorms? I like the idea of a tight-knit community, so any info you can share would be awesome. Thanks!

Claremont McKenna College (CMC) has a mix of both traditional and modern dorms. Freshmen typically live in one of the North, South, or Mid Quads which are arranged suite-style with a central common room. The dorms are generally kept in good condition and many have been renovated over the years. In terms of modernity, you'll find that some have recently been updated with new furniture and improved amenities like air conditioning, while others retain more old-school charm.

As for the social scene, dorm life at CMC is highly communal and centered around fostering a strong sense of community. Every residence hall is known for having its own unique culture and programming. The college places a heavy emphasis on communal activities and organizes various events within the dorms to promote bonding among students. These could include anything from outdoor movie nights to floor dinners.

Moreover, the Residential Assistant (RA) program is active in ensuring students feel included and at-home in their dorm community. There's also an overall atmosphere of cooperation rather than competition, which helps foster a sense of camaraderie. So if a tight-knit community is your preference, Claremont McKenna should definitely meet this expectation!

At Claremont McKenna, you also have easy access to social events at the other four schools in the Claremont Consortium: Pomona, Harvey Mudd, Scripps, and Pitzer. There is also a sense of unity across these five institutions, so if you ever want access to a slightly larger community, Claremont McKenna is in the unique position to provide that as well.

If you end up applying to Claremont McKenna and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-claremont-mckenna-college-essays/. These essays are a great opportunity to showcase your fit for the school beyond the numbers, so that admissions officers can imagine how you'd fit into their overall campus community, including in the residence halls!

I hope you find this information helpful!