Harvey Mudd College

Admissions

Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective college and the applicant pool is dominated by students in the top ten percent of their high school class. Each year around one-fourth of the incoming class is made up students who were National Merit finalists or who were #1 or #2 in their high school class. As opposed to some larger schools, the Office of Admissions avoids hard-and-fast admission minimums or formulas. Instead, the staff favors reading each application and determining if the individual applicant is the sort of student who will thrive here. The staff does, however, insist that every incoming freshman at has had chemistry, physics, and calculus as part of a rigorous and successful high school career.

SAT scores among applicants tend to be extremely high. Aptitude in math and science, as measured by curriculum and grades, but also scores, is considered very carefully in the selection process. A very heavy emphasis is also placed on communication skills. The ability to move easily between different disciplines and ways of thinking is also valued. The school produces excellent problem solvers who can think, write, and express themselves, as well as perform laboratory research and engineering calculations.

Extracurricular activities, unique talents, interests, hobbies, and a diversity of geographic and cultural backgrounds are all taken into consideration in the admission process, although academic aptitude remains the essential component in each admission decision. Interviews are encouraged, although visiting the campus and experiencing its unique atmosphere is highly recommended for prospective students.