The Claremont McKenna College admissions office’s first-year application instructions show that for the 2026-27 cycle, Early Decision I closes November 1, 2026, with decisions by December 15 and replies due in early January; Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close January 10, 2027. The supplement has two required essays, and interviews are “highly recommended” though not required. This liberal arts college in Claremont, Los Angeles County, is a Southern California private institution that often appears on Irvine families’ lists; 12th graders applying Early Decision I have less than three weeks left.
Who Is Affected by Claremont McKenna College Early Decision I
Twelfth graders who consider the college their first choice and accept a binding admission offer. The dates and materials for the three rounds:
| Item | Claremont McKenna College policy |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I | Due November 1; decision by December 15; reply in early January; CSS Profile and FAFSA due November 8 |
| Early Decision II | Due January 10; decision by February 15; reply in late February; financial aid materials due January 17 |
| Regular Decision | Due January 10; decision by April 1; reply by May 1; financial aid materials due January 17 |
| Platforms and fee | Common App, Coalition App, or QuestBridge; $70 application fee, with waivers available |
| Materials | School report and counselor recommendation, transcript, one recommendation from a core academic teacher, mid-year transcript, and the Early Decision agreement |
| Supplemental essays | Two required: one on why the student wants to attend CMC and how that fits its mission of preparing students for “thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership”; one on a time when engaging with someone changed an attitude, belief, or behavior. No word limits are listed; AI use is limited to basic proofreading |
| Testing | Test-optional for fall 2027 entry, and students who do not submit need not explain; the choice may be changed once within seven days of submitting; the college returns to test-required for the fall 2028 cycle |
| Interview | Not required but highly recommended; evaluative, about 30 minutes; Early Decision I applicants should interview by mid-November; those unable to interview may submit a two-minute video |
What to Do Now About Claremont McKenna College Early Decision I
Book the interview first, then write the essays. Interviews should be completed by mid-November; the two prompts correspond to “why this college” and “a conversation that changed a view,” and their division of labor with the main essay is covered in Common App Essay Prompts Unchanged This Year; supplemental essay structure is covered by the EDUBUS College Essay Bootcamp.
Place the binding commitment in the overall list. An admitted student must withdraw other applications; the differences among the four early plans are explained in Four Types of Early Applications; the college list and the decision on whether to submit test scores are covered by the EDUBUS University Admissions Planning service.
Sources
- Claremont McKenna College: First-Year Application Instructions (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Claremont McKenna College: Apply (accessed October 12, 2026)
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