<p>I've really found myself drawn to the Claremont Colleges. As a female with interest in politics/business/law/government, I'm primarily interested in CMC and Scripps. I know that all 5-C's are great schools, but from what I've read there seems to be diminished respect for Scripps. I understand that its easier to get into, but is this attitude reflected on campus?</p>
<p>I plan on applying to both, but don't want to feel like the bottom of the barrel if i decide to go to Scripps (actual admissions decisions aside)</p>
<p>Scripps might be marginally less selective than the other consortium colleges, but it’s hardly “bottom of the barrel.” Their acceptance rate is 32%, and their admitted students’ GPAs and test scores are very respectable. The consortium is terrific, and a student at Scripps can take advantage of it. CMC has a lower acceptance rate, and so it makes perfect sense to apply to both.</p>
<p>Aren’t they actually ranked higher than Pitzer by most sources?</p>
<p>Yes, Scripps is considered a stronger school academically than Pitzer. 50% SAT ranges for the two in 2013:</p>
<p>Scripps:
CR - 640-730
M - 620 - 700
Wr - 650 - 730</p>
<p>Pitzer:
CR - 590 - 700
M - 600 - 670
Wr - (not available)</p>
<p>CMC is quite a bit harder to get into. Have you visited both? Although both are Claremont Consortium colleges, the vibe is somewhat different between them. CMC’s strongest programs are government, economics, business and international relations, and it has a conservative lean politically. To me CMC feels quite pre-professional for a liberal arts school. Scripps is strong in psychology, English, studio art, political science, bio, and foreign languages, and has a leftward political lean. But they still maintain some women’s college traditions like weekly tea and cookies.</p>
<p>@intparent I’m not sure I’ll be able to visit before deciding.</p>
<p>Isn’t there sort of a general shared vibe among all the 5-C’s, seeing how closely related they are?</p>
<p>Those strengths actually sound perfectly balanced, as I plan to study Poli Sci with a 2ed major or minor in Econ or International Relations.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything more about traditions on these campuses?</p>
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<p>I honestly don’t think so. My kid, who is a Mudder, says she thinks of them as kind of like the houses Hogwarts, each with their own personality. They do share a lot of common services (bookstore, library, health service, gym facilities). And certainly people take some classes across the campuses and have some friends on the other campuses. And of course they all have nice weather in common. But they do have distinct personalities as schools. Sometimes I wonder that they stay together in the consortium, they are so different – but I guess given the location they are stuck with each other. :)</p>
<p>haha! The Hogwarts analogy makes me want to go even more. @intparent thanks for the helpful responses!</p>