Academics
Harvey Mudd College, according to its mission statement, “seeks to educate engineers, scientists, and mathematicians well versed in all of these areas and in the humanities and the social sciences so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.” As a result, its students “really understand their impact on both their global and campus communities.” Breadth is also instilled in a Harvey Mudd education through its membership in the “Claremont Colleges,” a five-college consortium that includes Pomona and Claremont McKenna, and because of this, its “students are more well-rounded than most in the sciences and get to pursue their passions outside of the STEM fields.” Students also praise the “broad core curriculum at Harvey Mudd,” which “produces scientists who can rise to meet interdisciplinary challenges within the sciences” and facilitates “great post-grad opportunities.” Classes are hard but rewarding: “The brutal work fosters an extremely collaborative environment where people focus not on the grade they get but the learning behind it.” “Academics are perfect. Could not ask for more rigorous and interesting learning.” HMC undergrads demonstrate a “commitment to” Harvey Mudd’s “honor code,” which requires students “to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity both personally and academically and to respect the rights of others.” This ethic, as well as support systems like “the proctor mentor system in the dorms,” which positions RAs to act as resources to students “without all of the policing,” creates a “tight community” on campus. “There is no segregation based on class year, major, race, academic ability, dorm or anything. Everyone is respectful, smart, aware, supportive, and unique.” Professors are almost universally reported to be “incredible,” “truly dedicated to undergraduate teaching,” and “always willing to spend hours outside of class answering questions.” HMC’s small classes and lack of graduate programs focuses faculty attention on undergrads: “My only ‘large’ class as a freshman is an intro to CS Class of 100 students and by the fifth day the professor knew all 100 names.” Overall, “the work at HMC is very challenging, but I have had the best support system; from the Academic Excellence tutors providing help for all required core classes to the professors who are readily accessible and enthusiastic helpers.”
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