AI policy — reviews unavailable for this school
CMC limits AI to basic proofreading — grammar, punctuation, spelling — while allowing people to talk topics and ideas through with you. Feedback on your draft's substance is above that ceiling, so we don't review CMC essays.
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. ... In short, your essays should be written by you.
the school’s published policyChecked Sep 8, 2026
Prompt database · 2026-27 cycle
Claremont McKenna College
Deadlines
source| Early Decision | November 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Early Decision II | January 10, 2027 |
| Regular Decision | January 10, 2027 |
Essay prompts (2)
- why usAll first-year applicants — required2026-27
Source details
All first-year applicants — REQUIRED. The page describes both questions as "required supplemental essay prompts found in both the Common Application and the Coalition Application." No restriction by major, program or applicant type is stated. CMC also accepts the QuestBridge Application; the page does not say how the supplement is handled there.
CMC's mission is to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions. With this mission in mind, please explain why you want to attend Claremont McKenna College.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Claremont McKenna College has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- communityAll first-year applicants — required2026-27
Source details
All first-year applicants — REQUIRED. The page describes both questions as "required supplemental essay prompts found in both the Common Application and the Coalition Application." No restriction by major, program or applicant type is stated. CMC also accepts the QuestBridge Application; the page does not say how the supplement is handled there.
A critical part of fulfilling our mission is living out the commitments of CMC's Open Academy: Freedom of Expression, Viewpoint Diversity, and Constructive Dialogue. We want to learn more about your commitment to listening and learning from others with different viewpoints, perspectives, and life experiences from your own. Describe a time when engaging with someone about a specific topic resulted in you changing your attitude, belief, or behavior, or you changed the belief or behavior of someone else. What was the change that occurred for you, and what facilitated that change? What did you learn from that experience, and how has it informed how you engage with others?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Claremont McKenna College has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
The school's published AI policy
Our reading
CMC confines any AI use to basic proofreading - grammar, punctuation and spelling - while expressly allowing human readers the broader latitude to discuss possible topics and ideas, so AI feedback on a draft's substance sits above the ceiling CMC sets for AI.
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