Claremont – The Short List

Curtis

Hong Kong

The Swimmer

Claremont McKenna

Client: Curtis

When we first met Curtis, he defined himself as a swimmer. He swam for his school, swam for a club program, competed in international swim meets, and became an assistant coach to younger swimmers. He tested his skills by traveling to San Francisco to compete with the elite Terrapin Swim Team.

The competition made Curtis a stronger swimmer every day. He returned to Hong Kong with incredible confidence and a desire to swim in college. His father had attended schools in New England while his mother had familiarity with the West Coast, so Curtis pursued schools on both coasts. All seemed fine until Curtis started coming up short of breath in his practices and was eventually diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. As a result, Curtis felt that he had to make a decision to pursue a college swim program or pursue a college. The Short List saw things differently and began suggesting schools where he might be able to do both. Curtis eventually found Claremont McKenna, a Division III school where he might be able to swim if he felt the desire, but where, more importantly, he would receive a great education. He would also have access to four other nationally ranked schools in the Claremont system.

Curtis knew Claremont McKenna was among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the U.S. He traveled to the school to attend an information session and take a tour, met the admissions rep when she visited his high school, and developed an email dialogue with the admissions staff. His efforts paid off: When The Short List spoke with the Claremont McKenna representative at a national college counseling conference and mentioned an interested student from Hong Kong, the admissions rep interjected, “Oh, you mean Curtis!” Curtis had made an impression in person, but now needed to do the same in his application.

He wrote about his love for swimming, the challenges he encountered, and the many lessons he learned along the way. He discussed other activities that rounded out his life and his love for learning. The Short List could see this was no longer just about his college application, but a true celebration of the young man Curtis had become. He applied Early Decision to CMC because he felt certain it was his school.

The Short List encouraged Curtis to have other applications ready…just in case. In the end, he didn’t need them. Curtis is now happily settling in at Claremont McKenna, and may yet join their swim team someday.

Anthony

China

The Environmentalist

Pitzer

Client: Anthony

Anthony attends an international school in Shanghai, China. Although he is Chinese-American, he has spent his entire life in Asia. He was determined to follow his older sister and study in the United States. She attends school outside Philadelphia, so at first Anthony considered East Coast schools, but he also wanted to visit schools in California.

Anthony is a bright student who is very involved in service and environmental activities. He was an officer in his school’s Roots and Shoots Club, participated on Habitat for Humanity trips to Mongolia and Malaysia, assisted the Jacaranda Foundation by teaching AIDS orphans, and returned to Mongolia to plant trees. At school, he worked with club members, students, and faculty to draft the school’s new eco policy and helped write a proposal for energy-efficient lighting, water- saving faucets, proper compost disposal, better use of natural lighting, and improved insulation.

The Short List recommended several California schools that have some of the United States’ strongest environmental science programs. Anthony’s parents could not be absent from work long enough to travel with him. However, two of Anthony’s closest friends were living in Hong Kong and also working with The Short List. To the great relief of Anthony’s parents, their families agreed to take Anthony with them on a West Coast college tour we helped organize.

The Short List recommended several California schools that have some of the United States’ strongest environmental science programs.

For Anthony, Pitzer College really stood out. Pitzer is part of the Claremont Colleges that also includes Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Scripps. Students can take classes at all five colleges, giving students a university feel. Pitzer emphasizes activism, building community service and advocacy into every program.

Before visiting Pitzer, Anthony signed up for an interview. During his visit, he saw that he would both learn in the classroom and be able to continue his work in the community. Anthony communicated with the school throughout the fall, and his Early Decision application outlined why the school’s environmental science program was right for him and how his interest and desires would be right for Pitzer.

There was no doubt Pitzer knew of Anthony even before he applied and clearly understood his reasons for applying. Anthony received his acceptance eight weeks later. Fittingly, Anthony’s mother had to convey the good news to him because Anthony was out of town helping others.