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Harvey Mudd College 鈥渄oes 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.鈥� In contrast to other competitive STEM schools, 鈥渟tudents here can continue to pursue their passions in [the] arts and humanities.鈥� All students take core courses that combine 鈥渁 solid foundation in each of the major STEM areas鈥� with courses in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts (HSA). One student majoring in Computer Science appreciates being able to 鈥渆asily register for classes like Quantum Physics, Music Theory III, and Abstract Algebra, despite them being unrelated to my major,鈥� the idea being that this helps them 鈥渦nderstand the impact鈥� of their work as scientists. As a student at Mudd, 鈥測ou lead projects and follow your interests, and have a lot of freedom.鈥� But make no mistake, Mudd is a place for students who are very serious about science and engineering. Students say that 鈥渢he course load is rigorous,鈥� but 鈥渃omprehensive and rewarding,鈥� even though some 鈥渟truggle with the intensity of classes.鈥� Mudders particularly value their professors鈥攁nd their genuine friendships with them鈥攏oting that teachers 鈥減ut in a lot of effort to make sure everyone has a strong understanding of everything we learn.鈥� Their accessibility and eagerness extend beyond the classroom: 鈥淭hey really care about [us] and that we are doing okay in life outside of our courses.鈥� No wonder, then, that students are left with the overall impression that 鈥渢he 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.鈥�

At Harvey Mudd, everyone is passionate about something, 鈥渨hether it鈥檚 their schoolwork, extracurriculars that vary from sports to music to LARP, or parties and pranks.鈥� The combination of engineering and humanities emphasized in the curriculum attracts a curious and engaged student body. 鈥淚 love asking friends and classmates about their research interests and the humanities subject they are concentrating in鈥�their enthusiasm is infectious.鈥� Another Mudder says, 鈥淢y class is full of intelligent people who are interested in a wide variety of topics, such as robotics or social action.鈥� The school attracts 鈥渁 healthy blend of personalities:鈥� students who are 鈥渋nterested in intense and difficult STEM classes, 鈥�but who also care more about their impact on the world and having a strong humanities/ liberal arts background.鈥� Shared interests make it easy to make friends on campus. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e 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.鈥� A friendly atmosphere characterizes the Mudd experience: 鈥淭here 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.鈥�

While studying is 鈥渙ne of the primary social activities at Harvey Mudd College,鈥� students make time for 鈥渉anging out with friends or partying鈥� on the weekends. As a part of the Claremont Consortium, students get 鈥渞esources typical of a larger institution: solid party culture, athletics, [and] opportunities for research鈥� and they find it 鈥渞eally refreshing to talk to people from other campuses.鈥� Highlights at Harvey Mudd itself focus on both tinkerers and gamers. 鈥淏eing in the Makerspace [a student-run collective workshop open 24/7] is just awesome,鈥� and in the Machine Shop, you can 鈥渓earn how to effectively design鈥� with manufacturing in mind. 鈥淢y favorite extracurricular activity is definitely MuddEscapes,鈥� 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鈥檚 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 鈥渨orked very hard to help me find a summer internship, calling many of his friends and passing around my resume.鈥� And it鈥檚 not just the OCS offering assistance鈥攕tudents also mention that their professors help them find jobs and internships. And Mudd provides 鈥渇irst-rate preparation for graduate study or (especially for the engineering major) success in the job market.鈥� The OCS seeks to aid students at every step of the way with career guides and 鈥渃areer monographs鈥� 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.