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Unveiling the Magic of Consortium Colleges: A Blend of Intimacy and Opportunity


Almost a century ago, the trailblazing president of Pomona College breathed life into The Claremont Consortium. His grand design was inspired by the illustrious Oxford University. The aim was simple but ambitious: to merge the cozy, close-knit atmosphere of a small college with the expansive resources of a major university, like comprehensive libraries and state-of-the-art research facilities. Fast forward to the present day, the Claremont Consortium has blossomed into a community of seven distinguished institutions. Among them are five esteemed liberal arts colleges – Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Scripps – and two graduate schools. All of these are nestled within a square mile. Boasting over 9,000 students, a staff of 3,600, and a staggering 2,700 courses, the consortium truly offers the perfect blend of big and small.


Across the breadth of America, there are numerous other college consortia that aim to amplify the academic and social opportunities available to students. The beauty of these setups is their collaborative nature, which also makes them cost-effective. Here are a few more examples:


A SNAPSHOT OF CONSORTIUM COLLEGES


The Five College Consortium

Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst


Nestled in the heart of western Massachusetts, the Five College consortium brings together elite liberal arts colleges and a Division I research university. It also includes a young, unconventional campus and two of the oldest women's colleges in the country. With a student body of 30,000, a faculty of 2,100, and a selection of 7,000 courses, these campuses are seamlessly connected by a complimentary bus service.


The Tri-College Consortium

Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, and Swarthmore College


This consortium brings together three of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges (including a women's college) in suburban Philadelphia, PA. They collectively expand the academic and social landscape for their 4,500 students. The Tri-College Consortium also collaborates with the University of Pennsylvania, forming the Quaker Consortium.


Atlanta University Center Consortium

The Atlanta University Center Consortium brings together Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine. Established in 1929, it's an impressive union of over 10,000 students, upholding a legacy that began with a mission to educate newly freed slaves post-Civil War. Today, it stands as the largest consortium of African American private higher education institutions globally.


Colleges of the Fenway

A quintet of Boston-based colleges – Emmanuel College, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Simmons University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology – joined forces in the late '90s. Together, they make up the Colleges of the Fenway, providing education to over 12,000 undergraduates with a faculty of more than 700 and a catalogue of 2,300 courses.


UNLOCK MORE POSSIBILITIES AT CONSORTIUM COLLEGES


Small liberal arts colleges are cherished for their commitment to undergraduate learning. The focus is on teaching, and in these smaller, more personal environments, students get more individual attention and mentoring from faculty. With no grad students on campus, undergraduates also get more research and internship opportunities. These small colleges are known for fostering deep ties and lifelong friendships among students.


However, being small means they can't match the breadth and depth of courses offered by larger colleges and universities. This is where consortium colleges come into play. They give students access to a wider variety of courses and majors – perhaps one of the key benefits of choosing a consortium school. Thanks to efficient cross-registration systems, students can effortlessly pick from a plethora of courses across their consortium – without any additional costs.


Here's a glimpse of what awaits you at consortium schools:


  • If you're a STEM major at Harvey Mudd with a love for humanities, you can add a minor from any of the other Claremont Colleges.

  • From Asian/Pacific/American Studies and Coastal and Marine Science to International Relations and Cognitive Neuroscience, students at any of the Five College Consortium schools can add diverse certificate programs.

  • Colleges of the Fenway students can explore special minors in Performing Arts, Sustainability, and Migration Studies.

  • The AUCC presents a range of unique opportunities, like the Spike Fellowship for film enthusiasts or a dual degree engineering program with top-notch engineering schools nationwide.

Outside the academic realm, consortium colleges provide students with access to a larger range of resources – libraries, labs, dining halls, and a variety of student clubs and activities.


THE INSIDE SCOOP


It's important to understand that every institution within a consortium manages its own unique admissions process. If you're an aspiring student, it's crucial to do your homework on each consortium member and apply to the colleges that resonate with your aspirations and capabilities. Keep in mind that the acceptance rates of consortium member schools can vary significantly. For instance, within the Five College Consortium, the acceptance rates span from a competitive 9% at Amherst, a more accommodating 30% at Smith, and an open 65% at UMass Amherst. In the Claremont Colleges, the acceptance spectrum runs from a stringent 7% at Pomona and 9% at Harvey Mudd, to a more relaxed 19% at Pitzer and 30% at Scripps. Don't forget that once you secure admission into any one of these colleges within a consortium, you unlock a plethora of resources and opportunities. Yet, you still get to enjoy the intimate, student-centric experiences characteristic of liberal arts colleges.



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