Application Instructions for First-Year International Applicants

Need-based Financial Aid Policies for International Students

Integrity in the Application Process

In applying to Claremont McKenna College (CMC), all applicants acknowledge and agree to the integrity and fraud policies outlined by the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application.

While we recognize that guidance and feedback can be a valuable part of the college application process, all application materials submitted to CMC must accurately reflect the applicant’s own experiences, ideas, accomplishments, voice, and writing.

Applicants must ensure that:

• Essays, short responses, and written submissions reflect the applicant’s own thinking, experiences, and writing.
• Activities, awards, research experiences, leadership roles, employment, and extracurricular involvement are presented truthfully and accurately and reflect authentic experiences that were genuinely undertaken, completed, or pursued by the applicant.
• Academic records, test scores, recommendation letters, English proficiency materials, and supporting documentation are authentic, complete, and submitted through appropriate official channels when required.
• Information is disclosed honestly and within the context of the applicant’s education environment and available opportunities.

Our application review process is contextual. We understand that educational systems, access to resources, and college advising practices vary considerably across schools, regions, and countries. In our process, authenticity matters more than polish.

To maintain integrity in our admission process, representatives from the Office of Admission may verify application information with school officials, testing agencies, or other appropriate external parties. We may also request additional documentation or clarification, or require a follow-up conversation or interview with an applicant or admitted student. Anonymous or third-party concerns submitted to a CMC representative may be reviewed as part of our process. While not all reports or concerns necessitate action, contextual evaluation is fundamental to our process.

If there is credible evidence of plagiarism, impersonation, material misrepresentation or falsification, or another significant violation of these requirements, the Office of Admission reserves the right to deny or rescind an admission offer.

CMC is committed to fostering a culture of integrity as students pursue their academic, personal, and professional goals. Upon enrollment, students are expected to uphold the College's standards of academic honesty and ethical conduct. These expectations are introduced during new student orientation and are outlined in CMC's Statement of Academic Integrity. We encourage all incoming students to review the policy and familiarize themselves with the responsibilities and expectations of CMC community members.

Essay Support and Artificial Intelligence

When it comes to application essays, we value the honest expression of your thoughts, perspectives, and experiences. While thoughtfully discussing your essays with parents, mentors, or coaches can be a constructive part of the writing process, we ultimately want to hear your distinct voice. You might ask yourself, "What form of writing support is acceptable?" Support that preserves your voice and is written by you. For example, it is acceptable to discuss possible topics or ideas with others and to receive help with basic proofreading. However, it is not acceptable for anyone else to write, rewrite, or heavily edit your essay, or fundamentally change your ideas.

What about non-human assistance, such as AI? If you choose to use AI, it should be limited to basic proofreading, such as correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Remember, we value your authentic voice most of all.

The key takeaway is that what we value most are your insights, creativity, and writing style. In short, your essays should be written by you.

For international students, IntialView is the preferred interview option to include with your application. InitialView interviews are unscripted, unbiased, and recorded conversations that are reviewed alongside your application for admission. By hearing your authentic voice and observing you in a natural, conversational setting, we gain a deeper understanding to how you may thrive in and out of the classroom and contribution to the CMC community. 

CMC also accepts Vericant interviews which include a recorded behavioral interview that we review as a part of your CMC application. Vericant interviews provide a structured way for you to share your voice and personality and they also include an assessment of your English proficiency.   

Please contact InitialView or Vericant to inquire about fee waivers. The CMC Office of Admission has limited fee waivers for applicants. 

CMC Optional Video Response 

After submitting your application, you will receive instructions on how to submit an optional two-minute video specifically for your CMC application. The optional video is a chance for you to tell us more about yourself beyond the information you provided in your application. The most compelling video responses have a genuine voice and highlight your thoughtfulness and authenticity. Videos can be simple, filmed straight to the camera, and are not expected to have editing or be professional quality.  

The optional video response does not substitute the InitialView or Vericant interview for non-native English speakers. International applicants whose first language is not English are encouraged to submit an InitialView or Vericant interview.  While not required, the video response is a great opportunity for you to tell us about yourself beyond what you provided in your application.

Video response prompts:

1. An important part of Claremont McKenna College's mission is preparing students for responsible leadership. How do you define "responsible leadership," and how have you demonstrated responsible leadership in your family, community, or school?
2. At CMC, we promote the understanding of public policy issues as it makes our students and alumni more effective leaders in their respective career fields. What is a public policy issue (whether locally, nationally, or globally) that you feel passionately about, and how do you hope to address it either in the present or the future? How can CMC assist you with addressing the issue?
3. The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is the heart of intellectual and social engagement at Claremont McKenna College, bringing students, faculty, and staff closer together through active discussion on a daily basis. If you could invite someone to speak at the Athenaeum, who would they be, what questions would you ask them, or what topic would you want to discuss with them at the Athenaeum dinner?
4. Collaboration involves working with people towards a common goal or project. It is a challenging skill that develops with time and experience. We want to learn more about the challenges you have encountered with collaboration. Tell us about when a collaborative effort you were involved in was challenging or even failed. What did your experience teach you about collaboration, and share how it has informed your leadership style?

All international applicants, regardless of their country of citizenship, whose first language is not English or who do not attend a school in which English is the primary language of instruction for a minimum of three years, must submit score results from one of the following approved English language tests.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-Based Test Only (iBT)
  • For exams taken before January 21, 2026: We recommend a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100.
  • For exams taken after January 21, 2026: We recommend a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 5.5.
  • TOEFL Essentials is not accepted.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – 7.5 minimum recommended score
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency – 190 minimum recommended score
• Duolingo English Test – 130 minimum recommended score

Sending Your Scores

Official test scores are required if submitting a Duolingo English Test (DET) score and preferred for all other accepted exams. If providing official TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or CAE scores is a financial burden, applicants may self-report these scores through the CMC applicant portal. Access to the portal is granted after the application is received by the CMC Office of Admission. Applicants will find a form to submit their self-reported test scores and must provide a PDF score report for each test.

All DET scores must be sent electronically to CMC through the applicant's DET portal. Self-reported English proficiency scores from the Common Application or Coalition Application will not be accepted.

Applicants admitted based on self-reported scores must submit official test scores before the Fall semester begins if they choose to enroll. The Admission Office will verify self-reported scores against official records and will notify students of any discrepancies.

English Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request

If an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for an exemption from the English proficiency requirement, and it is not automatically waived on their application checklist, they can submit a waiver request form which will appear in their CMC applicant portal.

Jennifer Hirsch
Senior Associate Dean of International Admission
Territories:

• Asia (excluding China)
• Europe
• Middle East
• North Africa
• Oceania
• All other unlisted international territories

Maureen Ruiz-Sundstrom
Senior Associate Dean of Admission
Territories:

• Caribbean
• Latin America

Stephanie Morales-Lopez
Senior Assistant Dean of Admission
Territories:

• Canada

Shelby Mota
Assistant Dean of Admission 
Territories:

• Asia (China only)
• Sub-Saharan Africa