🎙️ Claremont McKenna College: Mission, Fit & Holistic Admissions

Guest: Jennifer Sandoval-Dance, VP for Admission & Financial Aid at CMC

In this episode, Jennifer returns to break down what’s new at Claremont McKenna and what truly matters in their admissions review. If you’re applying to CMC—or any selective liberal arts college—this is a must-listen.

🌟 What We Cover:

• New academic and campus developments, including the Open Academy and the Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences

• How CMC’s mission of leadership and responsible citizenship drives everything—from courses to the review process

• What the two-officer holistic review really looks like 👀

• How to approach the CMC supplemental essays, especially mission alignment + Open Academy

• What CMC looks for in transcripts, rigor, and academic context 📚

• Test-optional advice (and future testing considerations)

• How to communicate leadership and impact in the Activities section

• Guidance for students with IEPs/504s and how to think about disclosure

• Why financial fit conversations need to start early 💸

• Jennifer’s top advice for applicants and families navigating this process 🎯

Whether you're just starting your search or finalizing applications, this conversation offers clear and actionable guidance straight from CMC’s admissions leadership.

🎧 Tune in and share with a student exploring CMC or the Claremont Colleges!

Open Academy (https://www.cmc.edu/the-open-academy)

Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences (https://www.cmc.edu/kravis-department-of-integrated-sciences)

Robert Day Sciences Center (https://www.cmc.edu/robert-day-sciences-center)

Accessibility Services (https://www.cmc.edu/accessibility-services)

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