Undergraduate Admission

At Carnegie Mellon University, we select our first-year class from a large group of very qualified candidates. The majority of our applicants are admissible and could be successful at Carnegie Mellon. We use a variety of factors to select our first-year class from those admissible candidates. We don’t use a calculation to arrive at our admitted class. Calculations can’t take into account all of the factors we consider when making admission decisions. We treat every applicant as an individual, taking great care to make fair and thorough admission decisions in context.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Our admission process is designed to select a highly talented, diverse undergraduate population with high aspirations who will succeed at Carnegie Mellon. If you’re applying to academic programs, your high school performance will be a significant factor in our admission decision because it’s the most meaningful indication of your motivation and abilities. We pay close attention to your curriculum rigor, the grades you’ve earned and the work you’ve accomplished. We’re interested in seeing that you’ve challenged yourself within your secondary school environment. If you’re applying to programs in the arts, your artistic performance will be either the main factor or a significant factor (depending on the program) in our admission decision.

Standardized test scores add to our knowledge of your preparation, but we don’t make decisions on the basis of test scores alone. SAT and ACT scores are completely optional, but if you choose to provide them, they’ll work with your secondary school record to make up the academic portion of your evaluation. SAT Subject Tests are neither required nor recommended and aren’t considered in our admission process.

Your non-academic interests, including extracurricular involvement, part-time jobs, family commitments, hobbies and community engagement play a very important role in the admission process. We also consider collaboration, perseverance, passion, advocacy for others and self-direction when making admission decisions. We’re interested in students who can be successful at Carnegie Mellon while fully engaging in the university community. Because we want to have a sense of who you are as a person, we look closely at your Common Application essay, your short answer questions, your secondary school counselor's evaluation and your secondary school teacher's recommendation. By looking at this non-academic information, we develop a sense of your personality, motivation and responsibility.

We don't consider demonstrated interest in our admission process. Demonstrated interest is a term used in undergraduate admission that describes the ways in which a prospective student shows a college that they’re interested by visiting campus and submitting additional materials that aren’t required in the application. As a result, we don't consider a campus visit or communication with the Office of Admission or other members of the Carnegie Mellon community when making admission decisions.

Carnegie Mellon doesn't collect or review criminal history information as part of the admission process. However, individuals who are admitted to Carnegie Mellon will be required to disclose any past criminal conviction as part of the enrollment process. Learn how Carnegie Mellon considers criminal history information.

COLLEGE CRITERIA

Each college/program at Carnegie Mellon has admission criteria specifically related to each course of study.

Admission to the Schools of Drama and Music is based primarily on a pre-screen, audition or (for select School of Music programs) portfolio review. Applicants to the Schools of Architecture, Art and Design will be evaluated not only on the basis of their portfolio review but also on their academic performance.

Applicants to the College of Engineering, Mellon College of Science, School of Computer Science and Tepper School of Business will be evaluated on their academic performance, with emphasis on strength in mathematics and science. Applicants to the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Information Systems program will be evaluated on their academic performance, with emphasis on reading and comprehension abilities along with mathematics coursework. We'll also evaluate both groups of applicants based on their ability to communicate thoughts and ideas in writing.

Applicants should be aware of our admission requirements (secondary school preparation, nonacademic information and counselor and teacher recommendations) when submitting applications.

Think carefully about your Carnegie Mellon college selection(s) before applying. While you may apply to up to two colleges or programs that match your interests, bear in mind that most applicants will only be selected for their highest-choice college to which they‘re admissible. It’s rare for students, even of the highest quality, to be granted admission to more than one of their college selections. Early Decision and transfer candidates may only apply to their first-choice college or program at Carnegie Mellon. Please note that admission to the university is always contingent upon maintaining academic performance and community conduct commensurate with that which resulted in admission. Admission decisions will be rescinded for failure to maintain strong academic performance, community conduct, honesty, maturity and/or moral character. For more information, view The Word student handbook .

Applying as a First-Year Student

If you're applying to Carnegie Mellon as a first-year student entering in fall 2024, here's how to apply. Graduate students should refer to the Graduate Education website for application instructions.

1. Choose your admission plan. Carnegie Mellon offers the following application plans: Regular Decision, Early Decision 1 and 2 and Early Admission for high school juniors. Please note: Carnegie Mellon doesn’t offer Early Action.

2. Complete the online Common Application. If you're applying during our Early Decision 2 or Regular Decision plans, please r equest that your secondary school counselor submit all secondary school transcripts, including senior year courses and a school profile, to the Office of Admission as close to January 3 as possible, but no later than January 15. Mid-year grades should be submitted as soon as possible after they become available. It’s your responsibility to check what documents we’ve received on the Where Am I in the Process? portal to acknowledge receipt of these items. Receipt of mailed or faxed materials will be found on your Where Am I in the Process? portal within 7–10 business days after being received by the Office of Admission.

3. Apply for admission only to the specific college(s) or program(s) in which you’re interested.

4. Follow these guidelines for each specific area of interest:

ALL COLLEGES AND PROGRAMS EXCEPT COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS (CFA)

We strongly urge applicants to indicate a program and/or departmental preference at the time they apply. Although students might not declare a major until the end of their first or second years, we’ve had to limit access to certain departments.

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS (CFA)

Students applying to CFA must apply directly to one or more of the following: School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Design, School of Drama or School of Music.

5. Send a non-refundable application fee of $75 electronically as you complete the Common Application. This fee is required. However, if you have a College Board or NACAC fee waiver or if you have any of the Common Application’s listed economic indicators, you can note this on your registration form in order to have your payment waived. Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents and DACA students are eligible for fee waivers. An additional audition/portfolio review fee will be required at the time of online registration for Drama and Music pre-screening, audition or music portfolio review. For School of Music applicants, the additional audition fee is $55. For School of Drama applicants, the audition or prescreening fee is $120. These fees are payable at the time of reserving a pre-screening, audition or portfolio review online on the Fine Arts section of our website. For applicants to the Schools of Art, Architecture or Design, there is a $20 fee to submit the portfolio.

6. If you choose to have your scores considered, you’re required to submit all official results of either the SAT or the ACT. While we’re interested in the general pattern of your scores, we give most weight to the highest score you’ve received on the SAT. On the ACT, we give most weight to the set of scores corresponding to the highest composite score. Carnegie Mellon doesn’t superscore the ACT. We believe that college admission testing in the 9th and 10th grades adds to the anxiety of a process that students won’t encounter for several years. As a result, we encourage students to submit 11th or 12th grade SAT or ACT scores (tests taken the summer after 10th grade are appropriate). While earlier tests may measure knowledge at the time they are taken, that level of knowledge gradually evolves and doesn’t fully represent the knowledge students bring to college first-year courses. Should students present tests taken two or more years in advance of their first-year experience, we have to take the timing of the test result into consideration. The greater the amount of time prior to college matriculation, the less we can rely on the test result as a fair representation of their preparation entering first-year college courses.

7. If English isn’t one of your first languages, submit additional test results. Applicants who don’t speak English as a first language must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Duolingo English Test.

8. If you’re applying to the College of Fine Arts, submit your Common Application before completing portfolio submission, pre-screening or audition requirements. All of our fine arts programs require that students apply to the university and obtain their Application ID before registering for a pre-screening or audition, or before submitting a portfolio. Early Decision 1 is not available for acting, directing, dramaturgy, music theater or the School of Music. Early Decision 2 is not available for the Schools of Art, Design, Drama or Music. If you’re applying Regular Decision to the Schools of Drama or Music, apply by December 1. You must also submit your supporting materials by December 1. Submissions after December 1 may not be considered. Refer to the table on page 3 for admission deadlines. Please note that Carnegie Mellon reserves the right to verify original work in admission essays using Turnitin.com .

9. Sign the “FERPA Release Authorization​” on the Common Application School Report Form and then request your secondary school counselor complete the form. Your counselor should submit this form to the Office of Admission along with the school profile and your transcript.

10. Choose a teacher to complete the Common Application Teacher Recommendation Form. Make sure it’s submitted to the Office of Admission by:

​​​11. If you're applying for financial aid, submit all requested documents. We require financial aid applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . Carnegie Mellon's federal code is 003242. You must also complete the CSS Profile and submit signed copies of parent/guardian and student tax documents.

Application Notification

If you're offered admission and wish to enroll at Carnegie Mellon, you're required to pay an $800 non-refundable enrollment deposit by May 1 in order to reserve your place in the first-year class and in university housing. This deposit will be credited to your first semester's charges. The admission staff assumes that a student's deposit to Carnegie Mellon is their only deposit. We reserve the right to cancel our offer of admission if a student also posts a tuition deposit at another university. During the summer, information concerning registration, enrollment, insurance, orientation, housing and dining services and more will be communicated to all incoming students.

Deferred Admission

If you're admitted to Carnegie Mellon and wish to defer your admission for one year, you must submit a written request to the Office of Admission. If permission is granted, your enrollment deposit must be paid in order to confirm enrollment for the following year. You must agree not to apply to or enroll in a full- or part-time degree program at another institution in the interim.

APPLICATION MISREPRESENTATION

We value academic and artistic integrity and authenticity in the admission process. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon assumes that lists of activities, accomplishments, awards, essays and recommendations are authentic, original and accurately reflect student achievements. We reserve the right to launch an investigation when falsified transcripts, artistic submissions of work or misrepresentation of credentials that are not accurate, original and authentic representations of a student’s ability and level of accomplishment are suspected. A student’s admission status will be placed on hold during an investigation and can result in the cancelation of an application or the withdrawal of an offer of admission. Carnegie Mellon does report confirmed cases of misrepresentation to the Common Application.

All offers of admission are based on the assumption that students will maintain the level of academic performance and community conduct that has resulted in admission to Carnegie Mellon. Admitted and enrolled students are expected to abide by Carnegie Mellon’s code of conduct, found within our student handbook, The Word.

Application Plans

Early Decision

These plans are ideal for students who view Carnegie Mellon as their first choice or if it has become their first choice before Regular Decision applications are due. For Early Decision 1, you’ll apply by November 1; for Early Decision 2, January 3. You'll apply to only one college within the university and receive your admission decision earlier in your senior year than our Regular Decision plan (by December 15 for Early Decision 1 and February 1 for Early Decision 2) . If you're admitted under Early Decision, you've agreed to enroll, so this isn't the best plan if you want to compare financial aid offers from other institutions. Early Decision also isn’t available if you're under the age of 17 or if you're applying Early Admission as a high school junior. Early Decision 1 is not available for acting, directing, dramaturgy, music theater or the School of Music. Early Decision 2 is not available for the College of Fine Arts.

We give three admission decisions for students applying Early Decision: admit, not admit or, in rare cases, defer to Regular Decision. Students who receive a "not admit" decision during Early Decision aren't eligible to apply for Regular Decision.

If you apply Early Decision, we encourage you to submit applications to other colleges/universities. However, you must agree to withdraw these applications if notified of Early Decision acceptance .

Applying Early Decision won’t affect your overall admission decision. Students applying Early and Regular Decision are admitted at almost exactly the same rate.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision is our most popular application option. You'll apply to up to two colleges by January 3 (December 1 for Drama and Music applicants). You'll be notified of your decision no later than April 1. Admitted students will have until May 1 to accept our offer of admission.

Early Admission

This is a rare opportunity for highly qualified high school juniors to apply early to Carnegie Mellon. Early Admission is ideal for mature, responsible juniors who have exhausted their high schools’ most rigorous courses. Like Regular Decision, Early Admission applicants must apply by January 3.

While the campus environment is rich in educational and social opportunities, students younger than traditional college age often face unique challenges in becoming acclimated to the university community.

It’s the responsibility of students under the age of 17 and their parents to contact the Dean of Student Affairs Office to discuss services and resources available in addressing their specific needs. Only students 17 years of age or older are permitted to reside in university housing. The university doesn’t participate in any homestay programs.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Each year, Carnegie Mellon admits a very small number of transfer students where space permits. The policy for transferring into Carnegie Mellon varies from college to college. If you’re interested in transferring into one of our academic programs, we must first make sure there’s space available in your program of interest. Please note that space in these programs is extremely limited. If there’s space, we’ll look closely at your official college transcript, professor recommendations, high school grades and test scores (all SAT, ACT or language proficiency examination scores, if available). If you don’t have official ACT or SAT results, there’s no expectation to submit them.

In the College of Fine Arts, most transfer applicants are required to complete a pre-screen, audition or portfolio review.

Transfer Application Instructions

1. Apply for admission to the specific college or program in which you’re interested. Make sure to note which department you prefer on the Common Application. Transfer students will only be considered for one college.

Please submit your application by the deadline:

2. Send a non-refundable application fee of $75 electronically as you complete the Common Application. This application fee is required, except in extenuating financial circumstances. To request a waiver, send us a letter from a college advisor or your dean requesting an application fee waiver in place of the application fee. Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for fee waivers.

3. Send all college/university and secondary/high school transcripts to the Office of Admission. If you wish to attend Carnegie Mellon as a transfer student and have previously applied to the university, you must resubmit an updated Common Application with your application fee and all other required materials. If you’re admitted, make arrangements to have a final copy of your college transcript(s) sent to Carnegie Mellon.

4. Send a copy of course descriptions from a college catalog from each college/university you attended so we can evaluate transferable credits. Course descriptions should be sent through the Common Application or completing a form electronically. You should copy and paste your course descriptions into a single document, saved as a PDF that has your name, address and Common Application ID on the first page. If you’re applying to Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences for admission to select programs, you may be also asked to submit course syllabi.

5. Sign the “FERPA Release Authorization” on the Common Application College Report Form. Have your dean or advisor at the college you’re attending (or last attended) complete this form. Your dean or advisor should return the form directly to the Office of Admission.

6. Once available, check your Where Am I in the Process? portal for an official admission decision. If accepted, you’ll need to complete an enrollment reply form. Please note that admission to the university is contingent upon maintaining academic performance and community conduct commensurate with that which resulted in admission. Admission decisions will be rescinded for failure to maintain strong academic performance, community conduct, honesty, maturity and moral character

If planning on:Submit all financial aid documents by:To be notified by:
Spring transferNovember 1December 15 (or soon after)
Fall transfer (CFA)February 15April 15
Fall transfer (all other colleges)March 1No later than May 31

Deposit Information for Transfers

If you're offered admission for the spring semester, Carnegie Mellon does not require a tuition deposit due to the short time interval between December 15 and the start of the spring semester. If you're offered admission to the College of Fine Arts for the fall semester, you must pay a non-refundable deposit of $800 by May 1. If you are offered admission to Engineering, DC, IS, MCS, SCS, or Tepper for the fall semester, you must pay a non-refundable $800 deposit by June 1, even if you are receiving financial aid. The enrollment deposit will reserve your place at the university and a place in university housing if available. It will be credited to the first semester charges.

IMPORTANT: If you accept our offer of admission, we assume that your tuition deposit to Carnegie Mellon is your only tuition deposit. We reserve the right to cancel our o ff er of admission if you post a tuition deposit at more than one university. Enrollment deposits received after the deposit deadline will be returned if space is no longer available.

University Housing for Transfers

University housing isn’t guaranteed for transfer students. Housing Services has a webpage available to help you locate housing accommodations in the local area in the event that campus housing isn’t available.

Transfer Credit Evaluated on Individual Basis

The college/school to which you’re admitted will determine transfer credit for courses you’ve taken at other universities. We only offer transfer credit evaluations to admitted students. Transfer credit is considered on an individual basis. We may award elective credit for courses with no Carnegie Mellon equivalent.

Transfer credit for courses you’re taking while we’re reviewing your existing college record depends upon successful completion of each course. Grades aren’t transferred — only credits. Sometimes transfer students have to take speci fi c courses and accumulate a larger total number of credits than the normal amount required for graduation. The time it takes for you to graduate will depend on the time you need to complete the full university degree requirements — not on your class standing at a previous institution.

If you transfer in the fall semester, you’ll be given instructions on how to receive an estimate of the additional academic work you must complete in order to fulfill the university degree requirements.

If you transfer in the spring semester, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with an associate dean or advisor in order to outline the additional academic work you must complete to meet the university degree requirements.

It’s best for transfer students in CFA to assume they’ll receive first-year status. Occasionally advanced standing is awarded based on review of previous college courses.

You must make arrangements to have a final copy of your college transcript(s) forwarded to Carnegie Mellon’s Office of Admission by July 1.

Applying as an International Student

International students should apply to Carnegie Mellon using the same procedures outlined for either first-year or transfer students. Also note this additional information: