<p>I'm a junior (class of 08) and I'm really really interested in Claremont McKenna, particularly because of their combined Philosophy, Politics, and Econ Major.<br>
Does anyone here know anything about it? How strong is it relative to the same program at Pomona and what type of careers do most people pursue after they graduate?</p>
<p>The PPE program at CMC is one of the school's top programs. I don't know much about the Pomona program, but I do know that CMC has much stonger Gov and Econ departments. People I know who are in the major love it. Hopefully someone who is a PPE major can give you a more detailed response...</p>
<p>Pomona has a PPE program as well, but CMC's stronger and more comprehensive with economics and government, so if you're positive you want to lock into that, then go for CMC for sure. Otherwise, if you're undecided, Pomona's probably a stronger choice overall if there's any chance you might get into humanities.</p>
<p>In four years, I've met a fair number of PPE majors, all of whom love their course of study. Until this thread, I had no idea that the same program existed at Pomona (I'm neither a CMC nor a Pomona student).</p>
<p>Note that cross-enrollment allows for a great deal of flexibility, so while the campuses are different and the departmental opportunities might vary (esp. research opps at CMC), there's definite overlap. If CMC's environment doesn't interest you, but you love the feel of Pomona, don't choose the former just because you think that it has a stronger econ reputation. You can go to either school and reap comparable benefits.</p>
<p>Note also that statements such as "CMC has much stronger Gov and Econ departments" are pretty contested. I have no basis to judge either way, and I am NOT attempting to open this up for debate...my only point is that it's not as definite of a claim as is being presented. Ultimately, both schools (and the respective departments at each) are well-respected, and deservedly.</p>
<p>Another interesting thing is that the PPE major at CMC you have to apply for, and there are people who don't get it every year and have to rethink their major.
Pomona, however, PPE is like any major, you just declare it.
Does this mean the CMC major is more intense than the Pomona one or something?</p>
<p>The CMC program is the better and more rigorous program. As someone already mentioned, students must apply during their first semester sophomore year for acceptance into the major. Students also have to take Intro Philosophy, Intro Gov, and Intro Econ before applying (this isn't such a hard requirement to fulfill). As a student at CMC, I obviously have my biases but I can honestly say that the CMC PPE program is better. Pomona's top philosophy professor just switched over to CMC for the sole purpose of teaching in the better PPE program (Pomona students even admit this).</p>
<p>About selectivity in applying for the major: this last year about 14 students applied and all 14 were accepted. This year was not the average occurrence though. The major is very self-selective and those who truly want it usually ending up getting into the program.</p>
<p>If you really want to major in PPE just apply to both the schools. I believe UPenn also has a similar program. But if you want to get a REAL education you should definitely pick a liberal arts college.</p>
<p>would it be a good idea to mention my interest in the PPE major (its probably the major reason i want CMC) in my interview or would that be too early?</p>
<p>It's almost always a good idea to mention stuff like that in your interview. It shows you've researched the school and that you really believe yourself to be a good fit--you're not just applying because "well, it looks like I can get in and it has a high ranking."</p>
<p>Is it possible to use AP credits to pass out of the Intro Econ and Intro Gov requirements for PPE?</p>
<p>Here is the AP policy at CMC:</p>
<p>If this page doesn't answer your question you may want to email or call the registrar.</p>
<p><a href="mailto:registrar@claremontmckenna.edu">registrar@claremontmckenna.edu</a></p>
<p>Phone: (909) 621-8101</p>
<p>thanks. :-).</p>
<p>I know CMC lets you double major, but do you guys know of anyone doubling in PPE and something else? is it actually viable? (And I mean double, not dual :-D)</p>
<p>When I took a campus tour at CMC this April, the girl leading our group said she was doing PPE and English, but I'm not sure if it was double or dual. She said it was a lot of work though.</p>
<p>Yes, you can do a double major of PPE and another major at CMC. From the May 12, 2007 Commencement Program I gleaned these examples of PPE + another full major: PPE + Literature, PPE + German, PPE + History, and PPE + Economics (Financial Economics Sequence).</p>
<p>I have a HS freshman who is interested in this major -- what kinds of things do people go into after they graduate?</p>