Fear. That word would describe the sentiments of many students at Claremont McKenna after the SAT score alterations became national news – certainly my own. Fear about the effect this scandal may have on future job prospects. Fear of our school’s name finally being recognized but for all the wrong reasons. Fear about the new chants being concocted in the seedier spots of Pomona. Fear that the reputation of the school was irreparably damaged in eyes of future students.
Last week, new Dean of Admissions Georgette DeVeres told the ASCMC Senate that no Early Decision applicants had rescinded their applications as a result of the SAT score alterations. It is important to note, however, that because of the agreements inherent in ED applications, CMC did not offer these students the chance to renege on their decision. The Office of Admissions later added that they had no intention of changing acceptance rate in anticipation of a different yield rate.
The Port Side corresponded with two early decision applicants to find out how prospective students are really reacting to the scandal.
(Image courtesy of news.harvard.edu)
Shannon Miller is an ED2 applicant from Berkeley, California. She is applying to Claremont McKenna because of the resources offered by the 5-college consortium and the outstanding government department. She intends to major in government with a possible double major in legal studies. She first heard about the SAT score falsification from President Gann in the same e-mail letter that was circulated to students on campus.
Shannon’s first impression of the crisis was that, “it was a slightly embarrassing but not very grave mishap. I didn’t feel at all that CMC was in the wrong; it seemed clear to me from the start that what happened was the result of one man’s poor judgment due to extreme pressure surrounding college rankings, and that the school as a whole had nothing to do with it and should not have to bear the blame.”
The next student we connected with is an ED1 admit from Seattle who has decided to remain anonymous. This student was also intrigued by the strength of the consortium and parent/sibling connections.
The student reacted to news of the scandal , “At first I didn’t think it was a big deal at all but once I read what people were saying on the College Confidential message board I was a bit stressed about what other people were going to think. I still plan on going to CMC and I’m extremely excited about it! The scandal doesn’t affect my opinions about CMC.”
Both students viewed Claremont McKenna’s swift handling of the issue was seen relatively favorably. Shannon says, “I have been impressed by the way that CMC has handled the situation – I think they’ve done so in the best way possible. Their response has shown integrity and I respect that.”
The student from Seattle commented, “I think the way Pam Gann/the school handled the issue is very respectable. I was glad I heard it from her first rather than reading an article about it or having it ‘come out’ instead of the school coming forward to the public.”
Both students also concur that the scandal will not affect their decision to attend Claremont McKenna College with Seattle commenting, “I am still extremely excited about my acceptance to CMC and I look forward to the fall! The scandal has not changed my opinions what so ever.”
So it seems from this –albeit—limited sample, that Claremont McKenna students have little to fear. There is little to no bitterness or resentment but rather a pragmatic understanding of an isolated incident. Students are still coming to Claremont McKenna for the same reasons they came the year before and the year before that.
As Shannon Miller said, “I am not worried about the effect of the scandal. I think that opinions are particularly strong at the moment because this happened so recently, but I think that most people will realize that this doesn’t change anything about CMC. I don’t think that it will have any long-term impacts on the school’s reputation.”
Jeremy B. Merrill contributed to this report.
