<p>Hello, I am planning on ED'ing to CMC and I plan to visit in the first week of November or so. I have never been to Claremont so my question is what kind of a city is it? Is it like Irvine, or a small town? Does it have many places to go to outside of campus? Thanks. </p>
<p>I've already figured that CMC's academic focuses fit myself well, but you know... I don't want to be bored for four years. =/ What are some things to do off-campus? Thanks!</p>
<p>Since I am a parent, I am not sure I would be the best person to answer this question, but I can tell you my son is never bored. He tells me there is a ton of things to do on and off campus. He has gone to Las Vegas, Palm Springs and other interesting places on weekends. There are a number of clubs in Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, and some of the kids will occasionally go to LA to have fun. Claremont is a nice town with plenty of shops, restaurants and movie theaters. Of course, if you don’t want to leave campus, you will have more than enough to do with the lively social scene at CMC, as well as the many extracurricular activities available to the students.</p>
<p>I am glad you’re going to visit the school. I would suggest staying over on Thursday night. I think you will get a pretty good idea of the social scene at CMC and whether you need to fear being bored for four years.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. Is there any comparisons you can make with Claremont to another city?</p>
<p>Claremont is not like Irvine, where you need a car to go everywhere. It is a very nice, expensive, relatively safe, neighborhood of the metropolis of L.A. </p>
<p>The 5 colleges offer an incredible amount of things to do, much more so than in the town. It is unlikely that you will have another time in your life when there is such an incredible variety of things to do for such a low cost. And like other colleges, there are lots of trips available via various clubs, etc.</p>
<p>But if it’s Broadway shows and big city nightlife that you want, and you have the money for admission, then it’s NYC for you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the answers! I like them so far but I will see for myself soon in Nov.</p>
<p>EDIT: Oh right, what are the “hotspots” outside campus? thanks</p>
<p>So I guess I should preface this by saying I transferred out of CMC (after applying and getting in second round ED)</p>
<p>There were parts of CMC (namely the academics) that I loved. But I got bored. There are no hotspots outside campus, Claremont is basically a shopping center. Admissions will tell you all about how LA is so accessible, but LA is not a city you can get around in any efficient manner without a car. </p>
<p>Social life centers around campus. And social life on campus is very alcohol heavy. If that isn’t your scene (it wasn’t mine) you are going to have a hard time. Most of the people I know at CMC adore it but you have to be comfortable with the way social life is. If you want vibrant and easily accessible off campus things, CMC is not for you.</p>
<p>“Claremont is basically a shopping center.” “Very alcohol heavy”</p>
<p>NerdyGirl,</p>
<p>Well, I have been there many times and I would say the first is a mischaracterization to say the least and the second is a distorted perception. If I remember correctly, you did not like the social scene; you thought there was too much partying and drinking. You are entitled to your opinion, but it is not one shared by other (who knows there might be a few) students. Please don’t take offense, but maybe your CC name explains your displeasure with CMC</p>
<p>No offense taken, it does reflect why I wasn’t happy. CMC is considered one of the happiest schools for a reason, most people do love it, and there are certain people I would highly recommend it to. But I do wish I had been on CC before I applied and maybe I would have had a better idea as to what I was getting myself into. The Village (the core part of Claremont) is a shopping area, it’s very nice and pretty to walk around but it’s not the type of “off campus” scene with bars and what not that you see at some other schools. It’s not a college nightlife kind of area. (But when you visit go to 21 Choices, its a frozen yogurt place and it is awesome). </p>
<p>I guess it depends who you talk to, but I stand by my point that the social life at CMC is alcohol based. Some people think it is awesome some people not so much, though to its credit is very accessible, no one is excluded from events which you won’t find everywhere. Try to get on campus on a Thursday (if TNC isn’t suspended) or Saturday night for a party. CMCers love prospective students, someone will take you. It is the best possible way for you to see if you find that social scene fun or not.</p>
<p>I am not sure I understand you: you object to the alcohol on campus, but are upset because there are not a lot of bars in the town of Claremont. Again, it is a gross distortion to say the social life is alcohol based. I am not denying there is alcohol on campus, but the social life is much more varied than just alcohol. My kid rarely drinks and loves the social life at CMC. There are an amazing amount of things to do on campus if you seek it out. We are just going to have to disagree, although I will agree that is always best if a prospective student visits the campus. </p>
<p>Also, Claremont, although not a metropolis, is preferable to many other college towns in this country.</p>
<p>NerdyGirl, I do appreciate your feedback, and feel no need to dispute it. Knowing what you know now – hindsight is 20/20 – get used to that experience as you get older – which college do you think would have been a better fit? Didn’t the consortium offer activities for a range of students? Did you find like-minded students in Stark to build relationships with?</p>
<p>Whoops! Some of what I said certainly comes across differently when typed, and I don’t have the benefit of tone. I loved parts of the place, really, but I’m pretty critical of the way the social scene at least in my class was. In all honesty, it is very hard to describe the social environment of CMC until you have lived in it. Not fitting in socially for me happened for a multitude of reasons that are not important to explain in detail here. </p>
<p>Maybe its different now, but when I was a freshmen, no one really talked about not drinking, (but I am also not a non-drinker which might make me sound like a hypocrite but I’m much more of a low key drinks with friends kind of girl than a massive North Quad Party kind of girl). I just wish I had been on CC or something like it as a high school senior, because I had no clue that the social life was the way it was. The extracurricular activities that I was interested in, were CMC-centric. Again, it depends what you’re into. </p>
<p>I can’t be the one to say if my experience is more widespread than people admit or if it was some weird quirk (both are equally possible). Being at CMC made me realize some of what I thought I wanted, I didn’t and that things I had never really thought about were important to me. I am much happier now in the middle of Manhattan. But I suppose I am one of those people who should probably never should’ve been at CMC in the first place. But that’s why I posted on here, to provide an alternative point of view, after all, that’s how good decisions are made.</p>
<p>Nerdy Girl its funny that you mentioned that you are now in Manhattan because that confirms what I was thinking until you mentioned that. My S goes to CMC and loves it. But I have heard that some students in the consortium, not necessarily CMC students only, who really like an urban envirnment where there is easy access to a variety of nightlife, museums, restaurants or whatever are not happy within the Claremont bubble. It is a wonderful place for students who fit that environment. It has a lot more to offer than alcohol, but like any school, or collection of schools it isn’t right for everyone. Like you and Parent 57 said visiting is the best way to get a feel for the school’s vibe.</p>
<p>NerdyGirl (love the name),</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the honest, straightforward feedback and insight into your experience. It’s SO very appreciated and mirrors the hunch my daughter has about how she might feel at CMC. </p>
<p>All the best to you, and thanks again for taking the time to share your perspective.</p>
<p>I am going to repeat what I have said in other posts: if you tend to be shy, socially uncomfortable with people, have not demonstrated leadership qualities in high school, you may not be a good fit for CMC. CMC students (although not all) tend to be assertive, focused, goal-oriented, extroverted and are looking to do big things in life. Yes, people of this stereotype probably like to party and have fun, but they are also incredibly hardworking, engaging and academically very able. CMC is not for everyone, nor will most ever have the opportunity to attend the school (only 13% are accepted), but for the right person it can be a transformative experience.</p>
<p>One other thing - I have visited the campus many times and without fail I have found the students to be extremely friendly, welcoming, helpful and generous. If you are having a hard time socially integrating into the school community, it is not because the students are unfriendly. Again, not saying the school is for everyone, but there must be a reason why CMC students are at the top of a number of rankings for happiest students in the country.</p>
<p>Well, don’t forget that it was CMC that admitted Nerdygirl in the first place (in fact, they had to go out of their way to do so, given that 15% admit rate.) Is it possible the Claremont-McKenna adcom made a mistake? Or, were they just trying to add a little diversity to the place?</p>
<p>Wow, this is getting ugly. All NG said was that CMC wasn’t right for her. All of Claremont wasn’t because she is in NYC now and not Pomona or any of the other 5C’s.</p>
<p>Parent 57 said, “CMC students (although not all) tend to be assertive, focused, goal-oriented, extroverted and are looking to do big things in life. Yes, people of this stereotype probably like to party and have fun, but they are also incredibly hardworking, engaging and academically very able”</p>
<p>I think this is all true but the Claremont Consortium in general, and CMC specifically is not necessarily the right place for all assertive, focused, goal-oriented, extroverted people looking to do big things in life. It is probably completely wrong for someone with those attributes who craves big city life. The village is definitely more than a shopping center and the Claremont campus is vibrant. The unique spirit of the campus is palpable on Parent 57’s other thread regarding prior CC posts about CMC. I am personally thankful that my S found his way there and was accepted because it is completely right for him. Having said all of that, there is really no need to put someone down because it was not the right choice for them…And JW, does it really matter who made a mistake? Obviously someone did since NG transferred out. Admissions does an amazing job selecting students who fit the focus and vibe of the school. I’m sure this contributes to the happy student body. From what I have seen only a very small percentage of students transfer out of CMC because they are unhappy. So if a mistake was made is it really worthy of mention? Happily NG corrected her mistake and is where she wants to be. </p>
<p>NG is just telling other people to check it out and try and spend a night on campus and pay attention to the social life. She thought CMC was perfect enough for her to apply ED and she was wrong. </p>
<p>Really more CMC students are needed to post on this thread. But it seems that few CMC students are CC focused.</p>
<p>Okay 181818, I wasn’t trying to put anyone down, I just thought that some inaccurate stuff had been said and wanted to correct it. I agree - CMC is not for everyone. I also saw that in some of NG’s previous posts she mentioned other things going on in her life that she wanted to keep private and might have played a part in her decision to transfer. So her reasons may be more complicated than what she conveyed here.</p>
<p>As for CMC students posting here, these forums tend to be used by prospective students and rarely do you see current students posting. I have noticed on some of the other school threads, students getting into arguments about the relative merits of their school over another. To tell you the truth, I am kind of glad CMC students are not wasting their time engaging in these useless exercises. BTW, CMCstudent206 in another thread has invited prospective students and parents to send him/her any question through the CMC website. I assume there are a number of students that have taken advantage of this offer.</p>
<p>I would like to remind you that, as parents, we well know that our children had a first choice, second choice, and a third choice, for colleges. And Honestly, there were two or three that they could have been very good fits for them and they would have been very happy to attend. The one they ultimately go to happens for a family’s own personal reasons. </p>
<p>As parents, it is NOT our job to teach our children that there is absolutely ONE perfect college for them. There is no One Perfect job, house, spouse, pet, car, city, haircut, jacket, or anything else you care to name. Life is not a Disney princess movie. So just admit that these students could be just as happy at a few Well-Chosen colleges, and not just ONE.</p>
<p>We are on these boards to learn about the colleges, and to help them make the right decision the first time around. But some do not choose the right fit the first time, and that is a shame. More power to them if they can correct their mistake. It does not reflect on the college, but on their initial decision process.</p>
<p>As a moderator, you are supposed to facilitate, not stifle, discourse. It is your duty to lead the discussion in a civil and intelligent manner. You are not a 17 year old, you bring much more experience to bear here, so show it.</p>
<p>CMC obviously has many great strengths, and its own culture. The Claremont colleges are in a college suburb that is close to a major city, the area is not rural, it is not urban. BUT many prospective students will end up learning that they can be very happy in an an environment that is different from what they thought they wanted when they began their search – for many things in life.</p>
<p>1bie792,</p>
<p>I have never said there is one absolutely perfect college for a student. As for not engaging in a dialogue, I do believe NG’s experience at CMC was not representative of 99% of the students who attend the school, and I also thought some of her impressions were incorrect. I am sorry if you don’t like the fact that I gave my views, but I also want prospective students to have a an accurate portrayal of the school.</p>
<p>I don’t believe I have ever stifled discourse on this board, although I sense the angry tone of your post has more to do about you than anything I said.</p>