Claremont Graduate University Reviews

"I have recently encountered and met with another student who graduated from CGU at about the same time as I did. And I can't believe her experience was just as bad as mine. When I was at the tail end of my degree program I was assigned to some adjunct instructor to work on my dissertation (an orchestral musical composition). This adjunct was nothing more than a horrible human being. He made a lot of hurtful comments and I quote "You are not composing at the doctoral level." And he started to state things like "That passage is in F Major" when I explained to him the it may look like it but it is in a Middle Eastern mode and to why the way I harmonized it. He kept insisting that it's in F Major and that I had to change the harmonies (as if he knew of these modes as I did). He then went onto state that in the instrumentation I have to write down for Celesta to have it optional piano an octave higher or I wouldn't ever have my piece performed as many orchestras do not own one. I went on to state "I work for a professional orchestra and we make use of a synth for a celesta. He opposed me on this, yet he's never worked for one every in his life. His music has hardly even been performed by an orchestra. Jump to 13 years lager, I am not only composing orchestral music regularly but I am the conductor of an innovative orchestra. I recently was looking for a new piece for us to perform and I encountered a very unique and innovative piece which is a concerto for a 6 string electric violin and chamber orchestra. I met with the composer and now we are programming it in the concert series. I discovered and learned that she graduated from CGU as well and this piece was her dissertation. She studied with this particular adjunct instructor who stated was opposed for her to composed this piece as the electric instruments were not a fit for an orchestra. He went on to state that this piece would never be bought and would be sitting on the self. But yet, it was a coincidence that I encountered it and bought it for the exact reason why he knew as a fact that it wouldn't be bought. I won't say other comments he had said to her, but it seems that he even does not know the range of the violin. This instructor is damaging to students. His negative feedback and harsh words makes students question their abilities. As a professor of my own right, I wouldn't ever do that. We are here to encourage students. The purpose of being a teacher is to strengthen any weaknesses and make the student stronger, not the other way around. I am very disappointed in CGU to allow this instructor to continue teaching at this university. He earns most of his money being an extra in films and TV and not of his "craft." So why is someone like that teaching and damaging students. This university is outrageously expensive and I am going to be owing for the tuition for the rest of my life. Not worth it. If I had to do it over again I would have found another university. I wish I could get a refund for attending that college. It has harmed and damaged me more than helped me, and exclusivity due to this adjunct instructor who shouldn't be teaching at all.Read Less"

"CGU met or exceeded all of my expectations and desires for doctoral study. I received professional and engaged mentorship, took advantage of many research and teaching opportunities at CGU and the other Claremont Colleges, received conference and seminar funding, and was continuously pushed to develop as a researcher. It was a superb experience."

"Small classes and amazing teachers is what makes CGU so good. The ratio of female professors is the best at any university or grad school I have attended. The Professors truly help students succeed by sharing their own networking information to aid our research and bringing opportunities to our attention. Thanks to their assistance, I have been invited to speak at conferences and present my research every year somewhere. I was a commuter part-time student for the first 2 years. I stacked 3 four hour classes on one day, and drove 120 miles each way because of work commitments. It was doable. The last 2 years, I got a room in the graduate dorm so I could live in Claremont to take classes on multiple days to complete my class work. Both were great experiences.Read Less"

"I don't have too much more to say...the other reviewers have done an excellent job at pointing out the pros and the cons of the Claremont Graduate University. One thing I did want to address is the misconception that many current students, alumni and applicants have: This misconception is that Claremont Graduate University is just as exclusive and prestigious as the 5 undergraduate Claremont Colleges. This is WRONG! The well-deserved reputation of the 5 undergraduate Claremont Colleges as being premier small Liberal Arts Colleges with very low admissions rates and extremely talented students and faculty does not extend to the Claremont Graduate University. I have a B.A. from Pomona College as well as a M.A. from the Graduate University, and the differences in the quality of students and the quality of the curriculum are huge! The graduate school was nothing like Pomona or the other Claremont Colleges (I took classes at 3 of the other colleges...the only one I didn't take classes at was Harvey Mudd.) As an undergraduate, I always felt intellectually challenged and in good company. At Claremont Graduate University, the classes were so easy and the students were a joke...definitely not Claremont Colleges material. I guess this is more of a warning for applicants, Claremont Graduate University is NOT the Claremont Colleges experience and in speaking to older alumni it never has been. So if you want to attend mainly for the name "Claremont" don't do it.Read Less"

"The classes were small, allowing direct interaction with both peers and professors. The assignments were, for the most part, thought-provoking. My experience at CGU contributed considerably to my intellectual and professional progress. I strongly recommend this university."

"The academics are great but the staff and administration is a joke. I'm already paying six figures for my degree, and I can't even get a response back from student accounts or financial aid regarding my account! I'm not even trying to get free money I'm just asking for a status! The counselors are a joke too. If your an interdisciplinary student, expect to get one adviser who knows about half of your degree and then leaves you floundering and guessing for the rest."

"I was an Economics PhD student in Claremont Graduate University. Claremont Graduate University is a Graduate Programs only school in Claremont College in Claremont, California. Some professors in the program are nice. The courses are tough, but students are not so top level."

"Small yet intellectually stimulating learning environment."

"CGU offers a lot of opportunities to gain experience in the work field. CGU offers a lot of support through ton campus activities, professor/advisor availability and staff ."

"Claremont Graduate University is insanely overpriced for the quality of education it offers. If it wasn't for its connection to the Claremont Colleges Consortium, it would have gone out of business long ago. I wish I never would have gone here. I'm going to be paying off students loans for the rest of my life, and my degree isn't worth the paper it's printed on. I paid Ivy League prices and got worse than a community college education. Oh, and when you go to get a job, employers will look at where you got your degree and laugh at you.Read Less"

"Claremont Graduate University is an excellent institution, in major part, due to the researchers that are employed by the university. Many of them are some of the leading researchers in their respective fields and that spreads to the student body. I highly recommend this university to students."

"Pros: The faculty is supportive and invested in student success. There are great resources and groups for underrepresented students such as ethnic minorities and disabled students, which creates an even more welcoming environment. All accepted students receive merit-based fellowships toward their tuition. Cons: Very expensive and the course load can be quite heavy for full-time first year graduate students. If you are a Masters student, there seems to be more emphasis on preparing for a Ph.D than a career with a terminal Masters; however this may be a pro for those who eventually want a Ph.D.Read Less"

"The Teacher Education program at Claremont Graduate University provides the support and the resources we need in order to become effective teachers. I love the fact that the class sizes are small which allows students to get to know their advisors and professors. The cons would be that since t is a private school tuition is a little steep, but the program does allow their candidates to obtain a paid internship. Overall, I have had a wonderful experience at Claremont Graduate University."

"The Teacher Education Cohort at CGU does NOT measure up to any value at all. The Coordinators of this high priced program were very disorganized. The model is out of touch with 21st century issues. The program is back in the 1960's. It costs too much"

"It's a great program. I wish there were a greater number of choice available in coursework. There is a large focus on Higher Ed."

"Pro: Claremont Graduate is the Ivy League of the West coast. The small, private university connects students with well-respected professors by keeping the student teacher ratio small. This allows professors to guide and train students throughout their professional degree. The campus and city of Claremont is beautiful. The streets are lined with trees. The city has a cute village to escape to that offers a small, town feel. Because the university is part of a consortium, students can take classes from other universities and partake in a variety of events at no extra costs. Cons: The pros do not come without an expensive price tag. There is some financial support in the form of fellowships, but no scholarship opportunities.Read Less"

"I attended the Peter Drucker School of Management while Professor Drucker was still alive. The caliber of instructors were exceptional. I never felt that any course was a waste of time. Every course within the major has had application to the jobs/positions I have had since graduation. I appreciated my fellow students for the diversity of their pre-grad school careers which enhanced group discussions as well as the practical applications of the materials being discussed. I was attracted to the qualitative tilt of the school vs the quantitative nature associated with traditional business schools.Read Less"

"Not worth the cost! Middle class families will be in deep debt entering a Teacher Education program! Coordinators have NO clue how to create a vibrant program in today's market."

"I am currently attending Claremont Graduate University. I am extremely excited about this school. The area surrounding it is beautiful and the teachers are very personable. They invest a lot in their students."

"This school is all about image! The Teacher Certification program is in shambles. The school programt all connection with changing demographics. Do not consider the Teacher Education program at this school."