The Class of 2027 comes to 91做厙 from 39 states and 34 countries, with plans to study the humanities, social sciences and STEM subjects. The 410 new first-year students on campus this school year represent one of the most ethnically and racially diverse classes in college history.
Six classmates reflect on what brought them to 91做厙, how the first two months have treated them and what the future has in store.
Gabby Aiona 27
When deciding where to attend college, Gabby Aiona sought a college not unlike his high school in Waimea, Hawaii. Ideally, the school would have small class sizes, a tight-knit campus community and be somewhere with immaculate weather.
91做厙 checked all the boxes, he says.
Through the Perspectives on 91做厙 (POP) program, Aiona got a firsthand glimpse of life on campus, making his decision to continue his studies in Claremont a no-brainer.
I enjoy that youre able to expand on ideas and ask questions you wouldnt be able to in a bigger class at, say, a larger college, he says. Small classes are where I can actually dive into ideas rather than being in a lecture.
An offensive lineman on the team, Aiona has met upperclassmen whove showed him the ropes and classmates hell know through graduation. In its own way, the gridiron has become an auxiliary classroom on campus, somewhere Aiona has learned another form of discipline and how to build on yourself and get better, he says.
Aiona plans to study economics, and balancing his classwork with his football responsibilities has been a crash course in time management.
While not immune to the occasional bout of homesickness, Aiona enjoys the college vibe in the nearby Claremont Village.
Everyones aware of 91做厙, he says, and theyre all real friendly. Its a really nice community.
Daniel Coker 27
Daniel Coker came to 91做厙 from Charlotte, North Carolina, because he wanted an intimate campus environment where he would be more than just a number. He also valued the opportunities for research, study away and fellowships.
Ultimately, the Spring POP program, which brought Coker to campus for a visit, was what won him over. He found the people at 91做厙 to be really warm, and the physical campus, with its abundant greenery and beautiful architecture, drew him in.
Coker says he has adjusted well to being at 91做厙. He has made friends throughout the and has joined Model UN, the team and the executive board of the .
He hopes to major in international relations and perhaps statistics also to serve as a foreign service officer in the future. Cokers current classes include statistics for politics and international relations, political and comparative international economy, and Latin American environmental history.
Coker says of his classes: Its 91做厙, its hard, but the teachers really help you out. The faculty are absolutely incredible.
Hudson Colletti 27
When applying for colleges, Hudson Colletti wanted to be at a smaller school with proximity to a big city. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Southern California weather and the allure of Los Angeles beckoned him across the country.
Colletti is planning on double majoring in computer science and economics, with hopes to pursue entrepreneurship or consulting in the future.
Classes have been definitely challenging, he says. I come from a rigorous course load in high school, but its still definitely an upgrade.
When not in class or studying, Colletti runs in the mornings and heads to 91做厙s gym in the afternoons. He also spends time playing music on pianos in the dorm lounges.
His dorm room, which he says is a very big room, is a social hub. I have a little putting green since my roommate and I both golf.
On the weekends, Colletti alternates between golfing and finding other off-campus excursions in the greater Los Angeles area.
Back on campus, Colletti has enjoyed making friends at the other Claremont Colleges. Its been nice to meet people from other schools, he says. I definitely appreciate that.
Sophia Lee 27
Coming from Tucson, Arizona, Sophia Lee values the ability to return home easily and for her parents to visit her on campus. Playing on the team, along with her brother Ethan Lee 26 playing on the team, affords Lee many excuses to have her parents visit.
When she first came to 91做厙s campus as a younger sibling, she fell in love with it. Attending 91做厙 was absolutely the right decision, Lee says.
The students at 91做厙 have been a highlight and made Lee feel welcome. She says students on campus are super friendly and open to meeting new people and supportive and loving.
Mentor sessions, facilitated by upper-division students, have been especially helpful in supporting her in her coursework. The mentors explain things and cater to what I need. If I have any questions, I can just ask one of them.
Lee is currently on the prehealth track, considering a major in psychology or neuroscience. She enjoys STEM classes but has also relished the opportunity to take non-STEM classes, including a media studies class this semester.
Its been super interesting and a class that I havent taken before, says Lee. Its nice to not be so STEM heavy.
Julissa Pinedo 27
One of five children of immigrant parents from Mexico and El Salvador, Julissa Pinedo is grateful to be attending college 15 miles away from her family in West Covina, California.
Ever since her cousin graduated from 91做厙 in 2010, the school has been Pinedos mothers dream school for her. When 91做厙 offered Pinedo an acceptance letter and a good financial aid package, her family decided together to have her attend.
Pinedo has her sights set on becoming a doctor or physicians assistant. I really want to help people especially from low-income communities, she says. It is truly my passion.
Her classes have been challenging, but Im getting through it week by week, she says.
Pinedo has found immeasurable support in the 91做厙 Scholars of Science cohort, an academic cohort that helps foster a successful transition for first-generation and low-income students. The cohort, which meets biweekly with an advisor and weekly with each other, also gathers to study for tests and do homework together.
We rely on each other, Pinedo says. Ive found my community there.
Mariela Tamez-Elizondo 27
Mariela Tamez-Elizondo was one of 74 students in her graduating high school class. Across four years at IDEA College Preparatory San Juan in South Texas, Tamez-Elizondos peers were more community than classmates, she says, and she wanted college to feel the same.
With her heart set on studying economics and art, class discussions on the topic du jour have nudged Tamez-Elizondo out of her shell.
I never had anything like that at home, where you sit and talk about readings, she says.
In her spare time, Tamez-Elizondo recharges in the 5C Girls in Lifting & Fitness Club, an extracurricular activity she says helps me be at peace and get my mind off all the work I have to do. Tamez-Elizondo has also joined the 5C Women in Finance Club to learn a thing or two about a taboo subject back home. I want to know how to help my family, she says.
By school years end, Tamez-Elizondo hopes to cast aside any doubt she belongs at 91做厙.
One of the hardest things has been overcoming imposter syndrome, she says. So I want to understand that Im here for a reason and deserve this education just as much as everyone else does. I have a passion for learning, and I feel I can explore that here.