Richard Ahne is a freshman at Claremont McKenna College from Chino Hills, California studying History and Government with Leadership sequence. In the wake of the SAT Scandal in CMC’s Office of Admission, Ahne believes that students, alumni, parents, and prospective students should reflect on this incident, but remain proud of CMC for all that it embodies.

Dear Editor,

I remember being just as shocked as everyone else when that fateful 11:00am email from President Gann rolled into everyone’s inboxes, and the news about those inflated SAT scores hit like a ton of bricks. Hardly 48 hours later, the student publications were all over it, there was a resignation, and before you knew it, some of us were being pulled aside for sound bites and interviews from major national news outlets. The students’ reactions were all across the board, from waving it aside as being overblown, becoming fuming mad about the circumstances, laughing at the convenience of the reverse public relations effect that was occurring, and of course, deep anxiety. What does this all mean? How is this going to affect our school’s reputation? Our potential future prospects? How will the public, parents, alumni, and prospective students react?

But before we start viciously writing transfer applications or start pressing that “share” button on the internet memes that have already begun sprouting all over the web about the incident, I believe, especially in regards to such an incident that can easily flare up emotions of anxiety, anger, or cynicism, that we must keep our heads up high and remain proud of who we are: CMCers.

First off, lets look at things from the lens of the administration. As a freshman who can hardly get around Faculty West even to this day without getting lost trying to find the bathroom, I obviously am not the one to go to for anything remotely regarding CMC’s administrative workings or dynamics. However, I did look at it from the facts that were given and this is what I received: The administration saw incidents of overinflation. Instead of brushing it under a rug, they sounded the warning bells and began to review it. The one responsible claimed proper responsibility and resigned. The administration reported the situation to all the necessary people, namely us, has sought legal consultation, and is in the process of rectifying things. The fact is that the administration was able to see the problem, take the proper responsibility and consequences, and engage in the proper course of action.

Perhaps this is not the full story, only time will tell, but to me, the fact that the administration was able to see its error and take the needed steps in order to respond to it was an action of good candor. Therefore, I respect, if not commend the administration for undertaking the proper proceedings necessary and I believe this act of honesty is something that CMC should be pleased, even proud of.

Amid the profound anxiety that is looming about, however, that may seem like a shallow victory. On many students’ minds are fears of the potential damage this entire affair could have on the school’s reputation, and its consequential effects on job and graduate school prospects, especially for the seniors and the upperclassmen in today’s uncertain economy, future alumni relations, and for future applicants and prospective students. But the last time I checked, a CMCer is not an ignorant slacker that simply rides on the coattails of the school to success.

When I think of particular CMCers, I picture hardworking and self-driven people who use their energies and passions to become the tenacious athletes, diligent research assistants, and ambitious leaders that make CMC famous. I picture people that pour their souls out into their arts, sports, and work, creating the community that can remix a sick dubstep beat or give one heck of a speech in an MUN conference. I can go on and on about each and every one of the students of the CMC student body that contributes their efforts and hearts into making CMC so exceptional, but what I’m trying to get at is that at this point: what we got on our SATs and respective standardized tests becomes trivial, something not worth mentioning amid the plethora of talents and positive attitudes that the CMC community possesses.

Cynics can point out that such talents and passions can be found in other elite institutions across the country as well, but there is something inherently remarkable about CMC that stands beside our talents and showings, and that is a particular sense of community, a unique one that is born when extraordinary people from all across the country and world gather together in a sleepy, suburban town in southern California. I seriously doubt you can so easily find a school where you know so many of your fellow students well enough that you never have to eat alone at a dining hall by yourself unless you choose to. Or have people who would help you get back to your dorm after one particularly crazy Thursday night, and help you with your homework the following morning once you realize you have a Friday class.

Sure, there might be parts of the school and its culture that might not be so favorable to you, but if you were looking for a college that is going to fulfill all of your needs and desires, it is like looking for ice cream that doesn’t melt; it doesn’t exist. All I know are the facts: CMC is a place filled with unbelievable students, and as a CMCer, you’re a member of its community, which is filled with people more than willing to help you realize your dreams and welcome you with open arms. A friend of mine put it best when he said that we are more than people who can bubble in choices on a standardized test. CMC is made up of each and every amazing and breathtaking CMCer, and each CMCer is a part of the greater body that is CMC. I am glad and relieved that we, as a student body, have this close to our hearts, and have even started making light of certain aspects of the incident, such as commenting how famous some of our friends are now for being in The New York Times.

So what does this all mean?

To the nervous students worry about how this is going to affect future prospects: don’t worry and be proud, because chances are, your resumé is much longer than mine. Remember, people like Henry Kravis and David Dreier attended and graduated from this school when it didn’t have the 9^th Best College ranking in the country. As cliché as it may sound, you make, or have made, your own college experiences, and should be confident in who you are, as a CMCer, who is bound to succeed in whatever future endeavor you envision for yourself.

To the alumni who might now be second guessing their generous donations to our endowment fund: don’t worry and be proud because CMCers remain the hardworking, driven, and one-of-a-kind individuals that are destined to succeed, just as you were and continue to be today, and that CMC still remains the place that helps students reach their goals, just as it was for you. We thank you so much for helping us become the best we can be.

To the members of the student body that may be angry or confused: don’t worry and be proud. A number is a poor indication of our abilities. Inflated scores, however wrongly they may have been reported, don’t change the fact that you are all amazing people that make up an amazing community that continues to leave me speechless and awed with each and every student’s talents, drive, and heart and proud to be a CMCer. Be proud that our administration has seen the wrong and mistakes that have occurred, and trust that it will do all it can to make things right.

To the prospective student who now doesn’t know if he or she wants to be a CMCer anymore: don’t worry and be proud. I ask that you look beyond what a number on a magazine tells you about this school and find out by yourself just how great is, by visiting us, or even contacting alumni. If you have received the wonderful news of an acceptance already, be confident and proud of yourself, for becoming an honorary member of a fantastic place that will be more than happy to embrace you. How do I know all of this? Like Harry Potter said, “Because it did for me.”

Yours truly,

Richard Ahne, CMC ’15

The Claremont Port Side always welcomes letters to the editor, but the opinions expressed in them are those of the author alone, not necessarily of the Port Side.

The Port Side is a progressive student publication at the Claremont Colleges.