Preparing to Apply as a Freshman
The Application Process
Applying as an International Student

Preparing to Apply as a Freshman

How can I request an application, view book, or catalog? What if I have general questions?
Make a request in our guestbook, call us at (909) 621-8011, or email us at admission@hmc.edu.

What kind of student are you looking for?
The best. We want students who have excelled in challenging courses, demonstrate a real passion for math and science and have an appreciation for the humanities and social sciences, and are involved in activities outside the classroom. You should also have strong standardized test results, enjoy collaboration, and want to contribute to our unique community. Learn more about our students.

Is it easier to get in if I'm from a public or a private school?
It doesn't matter. We analyze each student's activities, choices, and performance within the context of the high school he or she attended. We never rate high schools or give preference to one school over another. Each applicant comes from different opportunities and experiences.

What courses should I take to prepare for HMC?
The basics. Before enrolling at HMC, you must complete year-long high school courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics.  If you can't take one of these courses before high school graduation, you must complete a college course during the summer before enrolling at HMC. You must earn an "A" or "B" in the course. Learn more about eligibility requirements for first-year students and transfer students.

Can I get credit for college courses, IB tests, or AP examinations? What about for concurrent enrollment (getting both high school and college credit for a course)?
Possibly. Credit decisions are made by department chairs. Individual departments administer their own placement examinations during Orientation each fall. Credit is given on a case-by-case basis, usually as a result of those placement exams. While we discourage students from repeating at HMC academic work they have already completed, we also want new students to succeed in a curriculum that is extremely rigorous. Credit is usually offered for AP exam scores of "5" on Statistics, but otherwise only HMC-administered placement tests will put you in the higher level of a class.

Is it better to take an advanced class and risk getting a lower grade, or simply keep a high grade average?
It depends. In general, a more demanding course should offer better preparation for HMC--so you'll benefit from taking more advanced classes. We value strong curriculum when assessing applicants, so students who opt out of taking demanding courses are at a disadvantage in our selection process.

However, we also recognize that high school students applying to very selective colleges face a lot of pressure. By taking too many rigorous courses--say seven APs--you may not really learn as much as you might with a lighter AP load, nor would you have a very balanced life. The trick is to take as many advanced, AP, IB, or enriched courses as you can reasonably manage while still making time for outside activities and maintaining high grades. That balance point will be different for each person.

How important is class rank? Should the rank be weighted or not?
We like to evaluate your performance in the context of your school's environment. Weighted ranks help provide that information by portraying your performance in relation to the difficulty of the curriculum. Higher ranks reflect top grades in the toughest classes.

If your high school does not provide a rank, we'll still consider your application carefully. An increasing number of secondary schools do not report rank, but will often send us a school profile to aid in our evaluation. A school profile usually provides context about the school community and the rigor of the courses. We've found grade distribution charts to be especially helpful. Ask your counselor about your school's profile.

The Application Process

What must I submit in my application?
Follow the instructions for how to apply to HMC.

When are your admission application deadlines and when do you notify candidates?
Review the important dates and deadlines for information about our due dates.

Does HMC enroll new students in the spring?
No. We enroll new students only in the Fall Semester.

How many applicants do you typically admit? How many of them usually enroll?
Check out who studies at HMC to learn about our student body and enrollment rates.

Are fee waivers available for the application fee?
Your guidance counselor can send us an official fee waiver form from the College Board. If an official fee waiver form is not available, your counselor may write us a brief note explaining your financial circumstances and requesting the waiver.

Which do you prefer, a paper application or one that is submitted electronically?
We don't have a preference. Learn more about your options for applying to HMC.

What do you look for in essays?
The essay should demonstrate your abilities to write and think. Start early to produce an essay that is well written, articulate, and organized.

Avoid using your essay to list your activities and achievements. Instead, show how those interests and activities affect your goals. Or you might elaborate on experiences or insights you've gained that influence your outlook toward others and your work. We want to know about you and figure out how well you might fit into our community.

When is the latest that I could send you SAT or ACT tests and still have them considered for admission?
Early Decision I candidates may take the ACT, SAT or SAT subject tests in November. Early Decision II candidates may submit scores from the December test date.  Regular Decision applicants may take the ACT, SAT or SAT subject exams as late as January.

I'm home-schooled. What information do I need to provide so the admission committee can evaluate my academic history?
HMC welcomes home-schooled applicants. Please check our information about First-Year Student Admission for details about applying as a home-schooled student, and feel free to contact the Office of Admission with any questions.

How do I arrange an interview and when?
Interviews are usually conducted before you apply, as early as the spring of your junior year. In the fall, our staff will mail invitations to students in select major metropolitan areas to interview with us while we are on the road. Or you may visit us for an interview on site. Call the Office of Admission at (909) 621-8011 to arrange an interview.

Some of my friends from my school also plan to apply to HMC. Will this hurt my chances of getting in?
Definitely not. We're not concerned with limiting the number of students from your school. Instead, we pay attention to the opportunities you've had. We evaluate your record, activities, and accomplishments within that context. We also assess each student as an individual in comparison to the entire applicant pool, not just in a local context.

If I'm admitted, can I defer my enrollment for a year to travel or work?
The answer is usually yes. To request deferred enrollment, write to the Dean of Admission at the Office of Admission explaining your plans. During your deferment year, you may not enroll as a matriculated student at another college or apply to other colleges.

What is Early Decision? Who should use it?
Early Decision is a great way to firm up your college plans early in your senior year of high school. It's a great option for students who know HMC is the perfect school for them. Learn more about Early Decision.

What is Early Admission?
Early Admission (as opposed to Early Decision or Early Action or Early Notification) allows students to leave high school before senior year to attend college. It's designed for students who have exhausted their high school curriculum and are prepared to move on to college.

If you're considering early admission, consult with your school counselor. Your application will probably be stronger if your school supports your decision. A diploma is not required for consideration for Early Admission.

In considering your application, we will hold you to the same standard of academic preparation, extra-curricular accomplishment, and social maturity as your fellow candidates who will have had more time to prepare. We've had success in enrolling younger students, including one of our Rhodes Scholars.

Applying as an International Student

What are the application requirements for international applicants?
International applicants follow the same application procedures as U.S. students, but may also be required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) .  Any student who does not speak English as a first language or has been using it as his or her primary language for fewer than five years should plan on taking the TOEFL or IELTS. Learn more about how to apply.

Is there a minimum score for the TOEFL/IELTS exam?
Yes.  For the TOEFL, we expect to see scores above 600 on the written exam, 250 on the computerized version, and scores of 100 or higher on the internet-based test.  For the IELTS, the minimum score on the Academic Test is a 7.  We will not accept the General Training IELTS as it does not test any academic skills. 

Is financial aid available to international students?
Students who aren't U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents are ineligible for federal financial support. HMC does offer a very small number of scholarships for international students, which tend to be awarded to entering freshmen. Competition for these awards is very high. Learn more about financial aid for international students and awards for international students.

Will my chances of admission be affected if I apply as an international student seeking financial aid?
Yes. Because we will only admit international students who can provide their own financial resources or whom we are able to fund, chances of gaining admission improve if the international applicant does not apply for aid.

Can GSCE "O" level or "A" level exams replace the SAT requirements?
No. All freshman applicants must sit the ACT or SAT and 2 SAT subject tests: Math2 and a second subject of your choice.

There's no college counselor at my school and we use a different educational system than U.S. high schools. How will you understand my academic background?
We require a recommendation from an advisor, housemaster, head or assistant head of school to help provide a context for understanding your past performance. It's helpful to know what kind of opportunities you've had in your school, such as the structure and rigor of your academic program (how many courses required, length of the courses), grading patterns and scale, the quality of the students, and the school's reputation. We're also interested in your non-academic activities and accomplishments and the impact you've had on others both in and out of class. Without this information, we're forced to rely more heavily on grades and test scores, and this goes against our desire to assess our applicants as people, not as statistics. Finally, the fact that you have been educated in a different school system may suggest that you offer the college intellectual diversity.

I attend high school in the U.S., but I'm not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident. Do I apply as a domestic student or an international applicant?
If you're not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, you must apply as an international student. Learn more about applying as an international student.

I'm a U.S. citizen (or Permanent Resident), but attend secondary school overseas. Am I considered an international applicant?
We'd consider you along with other domestic applicants, but we understand that you may have had a different set of academic and personal experiences than our domestic applicants. This could be an advantage in the selection process because your experiences may add a new dimension to intellectual and residential life on campus.