Harvey Mudd College (HMC)

Harvey Mudd College "does a great job at fulfilling its specific niche as a top-tier STEM college with all the support and benefits of a liberal arts college." In contrast to other competitive STEM schools, "students here can continue to pursue their passions in [the] arts and humanities." All students take core courses that combine "a solid foundation in each of the major STEM areas" with courses in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts (HSA). One student majoring in Computer Science appreciates being able to "easily register for classes like Quantum Physics, Music Theory III, and Abstract Algebra, despite them being unrelated to my major," the idea being that this helps them "understand the impact" of their work as scientists. As a student at Mudd, "you lead projects and follow your interests, and have a lot of freedom." But make no mistake, Mudd is a place for students who are very serious about science and engineering. Students say that "the course load is rigorous," but "comprehensive and rewarding," even though some "struggle with the intensity of classes." Mudders particularly value their professors-and their genuine friendships with them-noting that teachers "put in a lot of effort to make sure everyone has a strong understanding of everything we learn." Their accessibility and eagerness extend beyond the classroom: "They really care about [us] and that we are doing okay in life outside of our courses." No wonder, then, that students are left with the overall impression that "the workload is worth it simply because of what comes out of it; that is, the friends and the knowledge that you know will last forever."

At Harvey Mudd, everyone is passionate about something, "whether it's their schoolwork, extracurriculars that vary from sports to music to LARP , or parties and pranks." The combination of engineering and humanities emphasized in the curriculum attracts a curious and engaged student body. "I love asking friends and classmates about their research interests and the humanities subject they are concentrating in...their enthusiasm is infectious." Another Mudder says, "My class is full of intelligent people who are interested in a wide variety of topics, such as robotics or social action." The school attracts "a healthy blend of personalities:" students who are "interested in intense and difficult STEM classes, ...but who also care more about their impact on the world and having a strong humanities/liberal arts background." Shared interests make it easy to make friends on campus. "When you're talking to a Mudder, you can assume a certain background knowledge in STEM fields, which lets us make niche math jokes and have all sorts of interesting conversations." A friendly atmosphere characterizes the Mudd experience: "There is always an upperclassman who will help you on your homework at odd hours in the night and another one who will remind you that sleep is more important than a perfect grade."

While studying is "one of the primary social activities at Harvey Mudd College," students make time for "hanging out with friends or partying" on the weekends. As a part of the Claremont Consortium, students get "resources typical of a larger institution: solid party culture, athletics, [and] opportunities for research" and they find it "really refreshing to talk to people from other campuses." Highlights at Harvey Mudd itself focus on both tinkerers and gamers. "Being in the Makerspace [a student-run collective workshop open 24/7] is just awesome," and in the Machine Shop, you can "learn how to effectively design" with manufacturing in mind. "My favorite extracurricular activity is definitely MuddEscapes," a club where students create escape rooms. There are traditional intramural sports, clubs, and dorm events (like movie nights or mocktail mixers); students appreciate that there's always a way to get away.

The Office of Career Services (OCS) is known for finding internship opportunities for students. One student in particular notes that a dedicated adviser “worked very hard to help me find a summer internship, calling many of his friends and passing around my resume.” And it’s not just the OCS offering assistance—students also mention that their professors help them find jobs and internships. And Mudd provides “first-rate preparation for graduate study or (especially for the engineering major) success in the job market.” The OCS seeks to aid students at every step of the way with career guides and “career monographs” to help develop professional skills and visualize the pathways open to them through various majors. Students can also set up advising appointments or just drop in and speak to a peer consultant. Harvey Mudd College graduates who visit PayScale.com report a median starting salary of $107,300, and 56 percent of graduates feel their jobs have a lot of meaning in the world.