Claremont McKenna Application Deadlines: Key Dates for 2026-2027

Claremont McKenna’s first-year application deadline is November 1 for Early Decision I (ED I) and January 10 for both Early Decision II (ED II) and Regular Decision (RD). Transfer applicants and financial aid filers follow their own calendars.

If you’re applying to Claremont McKenna, this guide lists every application deadline for the 2026-2027 cycle. You will find the three first-year rounds, the spring and fall transfer windows, and the key financial aid dates for each.

• When Is the Claremont McKenna Application Deadline?
• Claremont McKenna Transfer Application Deadline
• Claremont McKenna Financial Aid Application Deadline
• Beat Claremont McKenna’s Application Deadline with Expert Help
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

When Is the Claremont McKenna Application Deadline?

Claremont McKenna accepts first-year applications through three rounds, and the deadline depends on the one you choose:

Source: Claremont McKenna College Office of Admission

These dates apply to first-year applicants only. Transfer applicants and financial aid filers follow separate schedules, which come later in this guide.

Claremont McKenna Early Decision deadline

The Claremont McKenna ED deadline is November 1, 2026 for ED I and January 10, 2027 for ED II. The Common App is available by August 1, so ED I gives you roughly three months to finish your essays and gather your materials.

Both rounds are binding. If Claremont McKenna admits you, you must enroll and withdraw every other application.

Claremont McKenna Regular Decision deadline

The Claremont McKenna RD deadline is January 10, 2027. However, December 1, 2026 is the priority date for ED II and RD applicants who want consideration for merit scholarships.

RD is non-binding, so you can apply to as many other schools as you want and compare offers before choosing.

Already submitted? See when Claremont McKenna decisions come out

Once your application is in, the next question is when you will hear back. Each round releases results on its own schedule. Our guide on when Claremont McKenna decisions come out lays out the release date for every route and what to do while you wait.

Claremont McKenna Transfer Application Deadline

Claremont McKenna admits transfer students for both spring and fall entry, and each term has its own deadline:

• The spring transfer deadline is October 15, 2026.
• The fall transfer deadline is February 15, 2027.

Applications for both terms open September 1.

Claremont McKenna Financial Aid Application Deadline

Claremont McKenna’s financial aid deadlines follow the application round you choose:

Source: Claremont McKenna College Financial Aid Office

Two forms are required, the CSS Profile and the FAFSA, and both share one due date in each round. After you file, Claremont McKenna may request supporting documents through IDOC, the College Board’s document upload service. You have two weeks from receiving that notice to submit them.

California residents who want a Cal Grant must submit the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application, plus GPA verification, by March 1. Dream Act filers follow the same dates listed above.

Beat Claremont McKenna’s Application Deadline with Expert Help

A Claremont McKenna application requires you to write a supplemental essay, line up a teacher recommendation, decide whether to record the optional video response, and file aid forms a week after you submit. Each piece takes weeks to do well, and they all compete for the same fall calendar.

AdmissionSight’s Standard College Counseling program pairs you with an advisor who works with you from the first draft to the final click. Your advisor helps you build a balanced school list, shape the focus of your profile, develop each essay, and set an internal schedule that finishes everything well before November 1 or January 10.

Some students already have a strong application and need help with one piece of it. For that situation, our Ad Hoc Consulting offers focused, one-off sessions. You can book a final read of your supplemental essay, a review of your activity list, or a last check of your financial aid filings before the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I miss the Claremont McKenna application deadline?

If you miss the November 1 ED I deadline, you can still apply through ED II or RD by January 10. If you miss January 10, you will need to apply in the next cycle.

2. Can I apply to other schools if I choose Claremont McKenna Early Decision?

You can file RD applications elsewhere while Claremont McKenna reviews your ED application. However, admitted ED students must enroll, withdraw every other application, and avoid starting new ones. Because that commitment is binding, apply ED to only one school at a time.

3. Can I request a Claremont McKenna application deadline extension?

Claremon McKenna offers no extension process for first-year applicants. Aim to submit a few days early so a technical problem or a missing document does not push you past the cutoff.

4. When is the Claremont McKenna financial aid deadline?

The CSS Profile and FAFSA are due November 8, 2026 for ED I applicants and January 17, 2027 for ED II and RD applicants. Transfer applicants file by October 22, 2026 for spring entry and February 22, 2027 for fall entry.

5. When is the Claremont McKenna transfer application deadline?

The spring transfer deadline is October 15, 2026, and the fall transfer deadline is February 15, 2027.

Takeaways

• The Claremont McKenna application deadline is November 1, 2026 for ED I and January 10, 2027 for both ED II and RD.
• Transfer applicants have two deadlines: October 15, 2026 for spring entry and February 15, 2027 for fall entry.
• The CSS Profile and FAFSA are due one week after each application deadline: November 8 for ED I, January 17 for ED II and RD, October 22 for spring transfers, and February 22 for fall transfers.
• With essays, recommendations, and aid filings all competing for the same weeks, working with a college admissions expert can help you submit a complete application before each cutoff.