Carnegie Mellon University

Admission

We know that the college application and admission process may seem rather daunting, but we promise it's not a mystery. When we review applications there are three main areas that we look at - your high school performance, extracurricular contributions and standardized test results. We're not looking for the 'perfect' student, but students who are a good fit for Carnegie Mellon.

Financial Aid

There's no denying it, a private college education like Carnegie Mellon's is expensive. We hope that you and your family will look at private education as an investment in your future, and that you'll choose a school based on academic quality, not on cost alone.

Financing a college education will take creativity, sacrifice and support, although there are many ways of making it happen. That's why Carnegie Mellon has a financial assistance program designed to provide your family with options. Approximately 56 percent of last year's first-year students (U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens only) received aid; the average financial aid package was $32,747 (of which the average grants were $23,555).
We hope you find this section useful in explaining our financial aid philosophy, how we determine your financial aid package and the application process. If you have any questions, we're here to help, so please call our office during business hours at 412-268-2082.

Apply Now

With all the forms, deadlines and requirements, applying to any university can be confusing, so we've dedicated this page to help you through our application process. Please read this information carefully, and thank you for considering Carnegie Mellon!

 

The Application Process at Carnegie Mellon

Carnegie Mellon uses the Common Application exclusively. Along with the Common Application, the Carnegie Mellon Common Application Supplement is also required. We require receipt of both online forms in order to process an application. The Common Application and Carnegie Mellon Supplement are available online after August 1, 2010. Applicants must also submit a secondary school report, a teacher recommendation, your high school transcript and standardized test scores.
Carnegie Mellon is made up of six colleges. Students may apply up to five colleges or programs on the Carnegie Mellon Supplement. If you apply to more than one college or program, you must rank them in order of preference. Only rank the colleges that you would like us to consider for your primary major.
The Office of Admission's "Applying to Carnegie Mellon" instruction book is mailed to every senior on our mailing list, and contains instructions on how to apply to Carnegie Mellon, as well as information regarding our deadlines, financial aid, majors, etc. If you did not receive the application instructions book, you may request one by mail or you can download the instructions in PDF format by clicking . This book does not

Before You Apply

We feel that it's important for you to review the following webpages before applying to Carnegie Mellon. This information will provide valuable insight into our admissions process.

Application Plans

Carnegie Mellon has a variety of application plans to choose from. See which plan is right for you. Each plan has its own set of deadlines, so be sure to read this page carefully.

Academic Requirements

The specific academic requirements for each of our colleges differ. Please review this information carefully and plan your high school curriculum accordingly.

Artistic Requirements

If you are applying to the Schools of Art, Design, Drama or Music within the College of Fine Arts, you must complete an audition or portfolio review in order to be considered for admission. For the School of Drama, students are required to submit the Common Application and Carnegie Mellon Supplement in order to register for an audition or portfolio review. The School of Architecture requires an online questionnaire and a portfolio review is not required, but recommended. Be sure to review the application deadlines for the College of Fine Arts, as they differ from the rest of the colleges.

Applying for Aid

Details the requirements for applying for financial aid at Carnegie Mellon.

Contact Us

Office of Undergraduate Admission
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Telephone: 412-268-2082
Fax: 412-268-7838
Email: undergraduate-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu

Join the Invite List

To request information online, complete our online form. Please select from one of the options below.

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and Carnegie Mellon University is required not to discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or other federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.
In addition, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment or administration of its programs on the basis of religion, creed, ancestry, belief, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Carnegie Mellon does not discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders. However, in the judgment of the Carnegie Mellon Human Relations Commission, the Presidential Executive Order directing the Department of Defense to follow a policy of, "Don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue," excludes openly gay, lesbian and bisexual students from receiving ROTC scholarships or serving in the military. Nevertheless, all ROTC classes at Carnegie Mellon University are available to all students.
Inquiries concerning application of these statements should be directed to the Provost, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-6684 or the Vice President for Enrollment, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2056.
Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security report describing the university's security, alcohol and drug, and sexual assault policies and containing statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus during the preceding three years.
You can obtain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323 or viewing the Carnegie Mellon Police Department's Annual Report. Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University by calling 412-268-2000.