Application Instructions for First-Year International Applicants

All international applicants, regardless of their country of citizenship, whose first language is not English or who do not attend a school in which English is the primary language of instruction for a minimum of three years, must submit score results from one of the following approved English language tests.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-Based Test Only – 100 minimum recommended score
  • TOEFL Essentials is not accepted.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – 7.5 minimum recommended score 
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency – 190 minimum recommended score
• Duolingo English Test – 130 minimum recommended score

Sending Your Scores

Official test scores are required if submitting a Duolingo English Test (DET) score and preferred for all other accepted exams. If providing official TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or CAE scores is a financial burden, applicants may self-report these scores through the CMC applicant portal. Access to the portal is granted after the application is received by the CMC Office of Admission. Applicants will find a form to submit their self-reported test scores and must provide a PDF score report for each test.

All DET scores must be sent electronically to CMC through the applicant's DET portal. Self-reported English proficiency scores from the Common Application or Coalition Application will not be accepted.

Applicants admitted based on self-reported scores must submit official test scores before the Fall semester begins if they choose to enroll. The Admission Office will verify self-reported scores against official records and will notify students of any discrepancies.

English Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request

If an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for an exemption from the English proficiency requirement, and it is not automatically waived on their application checklist, they can submit a waiver request form which will appear in their CMC applicant portal.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of each applicant, the Office of Admission recommends submitting an admission interview or optional video response with your application. International applicants are encouraged to submit an InitialView interview to showcase their authentic voice. CMC also accepts Vericant interviews. While an interview does not replace an English proficiency score (if required), the most successful non-native English applicants typically submit an InitialView or Vericant interview.

InitialView interviews are unscripted and unbiased conversations recorded for inclusion with your application. InitialView only delivers these interviews to your chosen colleges; it does not assess them.  Although not specific to CMC, InitialView interviews offer valuable insights into your personality and character, helping us understand how you might thrive in CMC’s environment. Vericant interviews provide a more structured conversation and are assessed for English proficiency.

Both services require a fee, but you can send your interview to multiple institutions. Contact InitialView for information on fee waivers. The Office of Admission has a limited number of fee waivers available for InitialView and Vericant interviews for students who have submitted an application for admission. Contact admission@cmc.edu after you submit your application to request a fee waiver. 

Additionally, CMC offers its own admission interviews, conducted virtually or on-campus during the summer and fall, with limited availability. Your CMC interviewer will include a write-up of your conversation in your application. Learn more about CMC interviews.

CMC Optional Video Response 

After submitting your application, you will receive instructions on how to submit an optional two-minute video specifically for your CMC application. Like interviews, the optional video is a chance for you to tell us more about yourself beyond the information you provided in your application. The most compelling video responses have a genuine voice and highlight your thoughtfulness and authenticity. Videos can be simple, filmed straight to the camera, and are not expected to have editing or be professional quality.  

The optional video response does not substitute the InitialView or Vericant interview for non-native English speakers. International applicants whose first language is not English are encouraged to submit an InitialView or Vericant interview.  While the video response is not required the video response is a great opportunity for you to tell us about yourself beyond what you provided in your application.

Video response prompts:

1. An important part of Claremont McKenna College's mission is preparing students for responsible leadership. How do you define "responsible leadership," and how have you demonstrated responsible leadership in your family, community, or school?
2. At CMC, we promote the understanding of public policy issues as it makes our students and alumni more effective leaders in their respective career fields. What is a public policy issue (whether locally, nationally, or globally) that you feel passionately about, and how do you hope to address it either in the present or the future? How can CMC assist you with addressing the issue?
3. If you could invite someone to speak at the Athenaeum, who would they be, what questions would you ask them, or what topic would you want to discuss with them at the Athenaeum dinner?
4. Collaboration involves working with people towards a common goal or project. It is a challenging skill that develops with time and experience. We want to learn more about the challenges you have encountered with collaboration. Tell us about when a collaborative effort you were involved in was challenging or even failed. What did your experience teach you about collaboration, and share how it has informed your leadership style?

Merit-Based Scholarships (Priority Deadline December 1)

Merit-based scholarships are available for all first-year applicants and are determined by the Office of Admission through the application review process. For priority consideration for merit scholarships, your application for admission and all supporting credentials must be submitted by December 1. There is no separate application process for CMC scholarships.

For more information about merit-based scholarships please visit www.cmc.edu/admission/scholarships. For more information about need-based financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid Office at www.cmc.edu/financial-aid.

If you would like to be considered for merit-based scholarships:

• Merit scholarships are only available for first-year applicants
• Submit your Common Application or Coalition Application by December 1 for priority consideration
• All merit scholarships are determined by the Office of Admission through the application review process

Need-based Financial Aid Policies for International Students

CMC is need-aware in its admission process for all international students (non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent residents), meaning financial need may impact admission decisions. However, if admitted, CMC remains committed to meeting 100% of the determined need. International students who need financial assistance must apply for financial aid at the time of admission by the published deadlines, as funding is limited. International students who do not apply for or do not receive need-based financial aid upon admission are not eligible to be considered for financial aid in future years while enrolled at CMC.

Applicants applying for need-based financial assistance must indicate that they are applying for need-based financial aid on their admission application and are required to submit the CMC Financial Aid Form for International Students, available in the CMC applicant portal after submitting the admission application. Applications will not be reviewed without this form.

CMC strongly recommends, but does not require, the CSS Profile for additional financial information. The Office of Admission will contact applicants directly if more information is needed. CSS Profile fee waivers are not available unless specifically requested by CMC.

Need-based financial aid packages will include college grants, limited loans, and self-help (student summer savings contribution and work-study). For more detailed information, review the components of a need-based financial aid award. 

Jennifer Hirsch, Senior Associate Dean of International Admission 
jhirsch@cmc.edu
International territories: Africa, East and Southeast Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Oceania 

Rachelle Ehrman, Associate Dean of Admission
rehrman@cmc.edu
International territory: Caribbean, Central and South American, Central and South Asia

Maureen Ruiz Sundstrom, Associate Dean of Admission
Maureen.Ruiz-Sundstrom@claremontmckenna.edu
International territory: Canada