<p>So apparently PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) is a major at Pomona and Claremont McKenna (havent looked at the other Claremonts but maybe they have it too). I was wondering if anyone here knows more about this program? I'm planning on majoring in econ and either english and philosophy, and I thought it was amazing that there's a specific major that puts two of them together! I just wanted more info that the school's website gives and was wondering if anyone here knows anything.</p>
<p>I’m a prospective Sagehen too, and I’m looking at PPE as well. I can’t give you a lot of info on it outside of the site’s overview, but I do know it’s a very exclusive major that can’t be found many places. McKenna and Pomona are the only Claremonts to offer PPE, however Pitzer’s academic openness would allow you to take literally the same classes (even the ones at McKenna or Pomona) and make it your own major and name it the same thing. Wikipedia has a list of schools (though, since it’s Wikipedia there may be a few missing) that offer PPE: [Philosophy</a>, Politics and Economics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy,_Politics_and_Economics]Philosophy”>Philosophy, politics and economics - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>There is a big difference in the program between CMC and Pomona. At Pomona, it is a true interdisciplinary major where you simply take classes from each of the three departments. At CMC, it is an enrollment limited major with 6 specific courses designated for majors only. I am a CMC PPE major so I can provide some detail on it but I admittedly don’t know much beyond what I already stated about Pomona’s, although I’m sure it’s very strong.</p>
<p>At CMC, you take the following courses for PPE:
-Philosophy Seminar/Philosophy Tutorial. (2nd semester sophomore year)
-Politics Seminar/Tutorial (2nd semester junior year)
-Economics Seminar/Tutorial (1st semester senior year)
-Intermediate Macroeconomics
-2 Elective Classes</p>
<p>Each year, approximately 14 students are accepted into the program. You apply towards the end of your first semester, sophomore year. You begin with the program the following semester. </p>
<p>Each double course consists of a seminar and a tutorial and is modeled after the Oxbridge system. A seminar is a more traditional course consisting of the 14 PPE students in that class and is primarily focused upon debating the assigned reading.</p>
<p>The tutorial is different from a traditional US course as it consists of 2 students and the professor (the same professor from your seminar). Each week, 1 student will be assigned to write a paper based on an assigned reading and another will be assigned to provide an in depth commentary on that paper. Then both students meet with the professor and debate the paper and the assigned reading. The role of commentator/writer switches every week. You are graded upon the quality of your paper and the quality of your debate for tutorial.</p>
<p>I can say that so far, CMC PPE has been an outstanding experience, academically, and socially. It is very rigorous and is a lot of reading and writing (about 3 papers per week+reading) but it is definitely worth it.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, post them here or send me a PM.</p>
<p>~Ajay</p>
<p>^ thanks for the description, Ajay. How hard is it to be accepted to the major. Is it purely a GPA thing? What would you advise a freshman, who intends on being a PPE major at CMC?</p>
<p>PPE receives between 25-50 applications a year from what I’ve heard. Grades are of course number 1 but are only a qualifying factor. Show leadership potential, get involved in debate based clubs (i.e. Model UN, Mock trial, Debate team), and write a good essay. It seems to me like anyone who is committed to being a PPE major will be able to become one provided they put forth the initiative, both in terms of academics and ECs. Though acceptance rates are high, keep in mind that you are competing against the best of the best. First off, they are CMC kids meaning they are driven, and second of all, they took the time to complete the application and write a separate essay for it. </p>
<p>~Ajay</p>
<p>I know it’s probably an unfair comparison to request but for folks who’re majoring in PPE at Pomona (or CMC), how do you suppose it compares to Oxford’s legendary program?</p>
<p>The Pomona program really is not the same type of program. PPE at Pomona is simply taking classes from the philosophy department, econ department, and gov department. It’s strong because, well, Pomona is great in general.</p>
<p>The CMC program is somewhat comparable. Here is a good link for people interested in CMC PPE.</p>
<p>[Ward</a> Elliot’s home page](<a href=“http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/govt/welliott/ppe/about.htm]Ward”>http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/govt/welliott/ppe/about.htm)</p>
<p>It’s a write-up from 1999 but much of the info still pertains. Selectivity has gone up however.</p>
<p>^ Ajay, are you planning/ have you done the semester in Washington? How does that fit in with PPE? thanks for your insights!</p>
<p>Hey broetchen,</p>
<p>I have not done the semester in Washington nor do I plan to. I’m more of an econ person and I intend to go on to get a PhD in Economics (not a traditional plan for PPEers) and I am a dual major in PPE-Math.</p>
<p>However, the Washington semester fits in very well with PPE. You would do it during the Fall of your junior year. When you come back to campus in Spring, you have your government seminar/tutorial so it is a great opportunity to take what you’ve learned back to a classroom setting. During the Washington semester, you take 2 seminar classes, write a paper, and have a full-time internship.</p>
<p>I have friends who have done it and have heard excellent things about it.</p>
<p>So, now that I have completely hijacked the thread. One more question, if you would indulge me: </p>
<p>How’s that dual major working out?
What is your take on the difficulty/feasibility of a PPE-Accounting dual major.
thanks!</p>
<p>PPE is a program started at Oxford University in England. Many Rhodes Scholars major in this but it is a standard major there.</p>
<p>Dual major is working out well so far. It’s pretty easy to dual, very hard to double. There are slightly less requirements for a dual major than a double major. PPE as a dual is only a total of 6 courses as you do not need to take the elective classes. You will be taking ECON102 (Intermediate Macro) for the Econ-Accounting dual anyways. After that I believe it is around 6 extra courses to complete the Econ-Accounting dual. In summary, very easy with proper planning.</p>
<p>Feel free to ask any questions via PM.</p>
<p>what’s the difference between dual and double majoring? when you said you don’t need to take the electives, does that apply to all dual majors or just PPE-Math?</p>
<p>I believe it applies to all dual majors with PPE. You wouldn’t have to take the PPE electives, and you would take a smaller amount of electives in the other major field.</p>
<p>i know i started this thread a while ago but thank you! I’m applying to both, though they both sound pretty different. the CMC program sounds like an amazing experience but I’m worried I might get in to CMC but not the PPE major! My alternative major is Econ as well, and if I don’t get into PPE I’m not sure CMC would be my first choice. :P</p>
<p>by the way, do you know if any transfer students have gotten into PPE at CMC? I called the school and they said you have to apply as a sophomore. I’m a freshman this year but I’ll technically have enough credits to be a junior next year and I was wondering if I could still get in.</p>
<p>I am a transfer student at CMC, and two of my friends, who are transfer students, got into PPE. Furthermore, I only had 1 out of the 3 pre-reqs completed for PPE. I believe transfers went 3/3 in PPE admissions 
Also, CMC is also fantastic for econ! Can’t go wrong with either school though. I believe if you are able to get into CMC as a transfer, you won’t have any problems getting into PPE. I doubt they will bar you from applying unless you are trying to graduate early or something.</p>
<p>thank you! I can technically graduate in 3 years but I’m willing to spend an extra year if it means doing PPE. :D</p>