Kristina Wong Davis, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management & Dean of Admission

Location: Warner Hall, 2nd Floor, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-268-2082
Fax: 412-268-7838
Email: admission@andrew.cmu.edu
www.cmu.edu/admission

ADMISSION PHILOSOPHY

At Carnegie Mellon, we select our first-year class from a large group of very qualified candidates. We don’t use a calculation to choose who to admit because calculations can’t take into account all the factors we consider when making admission decisions. No single grade, factor, score or activity will automatically gain or deny you admission to Carnegie Mellon. We treat every applicant as an individual, taking great care to make our admission decisions fair, thorough and sensitive. We’re interested in students who can be successful at Carnegie Mellon while taking full advantage of all the university has to offer.

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. Carnegie Mellon is test optional for fall 2025 undergraduate admission applications. However, students applying to the School of Computer Science are strongly encouraged to submit either an SAT or ACT score, including the math subscore, to bolster their application's strength and to aid in determining their ability to succeed academically at Carnegie Mellon. Pursuant to this policy, applicants aren't required to submit SAT or ACT results; however, results will be considered for those who submit them. Students who are unable to take either the SAT or ACT or choose not to submit their standardized test scores will be considered equally for admission along with those who submit scores. Please also note that submission of any prior SAT Subject Test results won’t be considered in our admission review 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.

Applying as a First-Year Student

If you're applying to Carnegie Mellon as a first-year undergraduate student entering in fall 2025, here's how to apply. Graduate students should refer to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs website for application instructions.

1. Choose your admission plan. Carnegie Mellon offers the following application plans: Regular Decision, Early Decision and Transfer Admission.

• EARLY DECISION: Early Decision is a binding application plan for students who view Carnegie Mellon as their first choice university. This means if you're admitted through Early Decision, you're committed to attending Carnegie Mellon and must withdraw any applications you may have submitted to other institutions. Applications and supporting admission materials are due by November 1. Early Decision is not available for acting, directing, dramaturgy, music theater, BXA Design programs or the School of Music.
• REGULAR DECISION: Regular Decision is the most common plan for students who apply to Carnegie Mellon. It’s common for students to apply Regular Decision to a number of institutions and then compare financial aid offers. Applications and supporting admission materials are due by January 2. Applications and supporting admission materials for Regular Decision for the Schools of Drama and Music is December 1. 
• TRANSFER ADMISSION: Each year, Carnegie Mellon admits a small number of transfer students as space permits. The policy for transferring varies from college to college within Carnegie Mellon, so please carefully review the deadlines listed on the Undergraduate Admission website.

2. Complete the online Common Application. If you're applying for our Regular Decision plan, please request 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 2 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.

• Rank your program and/or major preference. 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 have to limit access to certain departments. 
• You may apply to up to two colleges/programs if your second choice program is from the College of Fine Arts—you cannot apply to more than one academic program. (Early Decision and transfer candidates may only apply to one college/program.)
• 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. 
• If applying to more than one college, you must detail your multiple interests in the Carnegie Mellon short response questions.
• Be sure to review the admission requirements for each college/program.

4. 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 SAT or ACT scores considered, you’re required to submit all official results. While we’re interested in the general pattern of your scores, we give the 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 does not super-score 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 a student's preparation entering first-year college courses.

7. If English is not your native language, 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. 

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 November 1 for Early Decision and by January 15 for Regular Decision.

​​​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) and the CSS Profile, and submit signed copies of parent/guardian and student tax documents. Learn more about applying for financial aid as an applicant.

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Application Notification

• Students applying under the Early Decision plan will be notified of a decision by December 15.
• Students applying under the Regular Decision plan will be notified of a decision by April 1.
• Students who are applying for financial aid will also receive financial aid decisions by April 1 as long as they submit their financial aid forms by the preferred February 15 financial aid deadline.

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 (or February 15 for Early Decision admits) 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. Throughout the summer, information concerning registration, enrollment, insurance, orientation, housing, dining, and more will be communicated to all incoming students.

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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 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.

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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.

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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, you’ll apply by November 1. You'll apply to only one college within the university and receive your admission decision earlier (by December 15)  in your senior year than our Regular Decision plan. 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 is not available for acting, directing, dramaturgy, music theater, BXA Design programs or the School of Music.

We give three admission decisions for students applying Early Decision: admit, not admit or, in some 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 (if your second choice is from the College of Fine Arts) by January 2 (December 1 for Drama and Music applicants). You'll be notified of your decision by April 1. Students admitted under Regular Decision will have until May 1 to accept our offer of admission.

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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.

• Fall transfer is possible if space is available.
• Spring transfer may be possible for some colleges, but is extremely limited due to space constraints. CFA applicants cannot apply for spring admission.
• External transfers cannot apply to BXA programs.

Please submit your application by the deadline:

• Spring transfer: October 15
• Fall transfer: February 15 (December 1 for drama and music, January 3 for architecture, art and design)

Learn more about Transfer Application deadlines. 

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 by 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 also be 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.

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 offer 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 specific 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.

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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:

• Carnegie Mellon doesn't offer financial aid or installment plans to international students. International students aren't eligible for application fee waivers.
• If English isn't your native language, you're required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test, or the Cambridge English Assessment. Learn more about accepted scores. 

Scores should be no more than two years old at the time of application, and we prefer that you submit all English proficiency test results from the past two years. 

Regular Decision applicants should arrange to have these scores sent to Carnegie Mellon no later than January 7.

• InitialView or Vericant interviews are recommended for non-native English speakers but aren't required. Often these interviews can measure readiness for engagement in the classroom and also showcase a student’s personality, likes and dislikes as well as the area of intended major. These interviews can also show English language proficiency while also corroborating the application with more details about the student.

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College of Fine Arts Requirements

Detailed information may be found on the Office of Admission website.

Deadlines

• Early Decision applicants must submit a complete admission application, including any required artistic evaluation, by November 1.
• Regular Decision applicants to Drama and Music must apply and make all pre-screen, audition or music portfolio review reservations by December 1.
• Regular Decision applicants to Art, Architecture and Design must apply by January 2 and submit their portfolio no later than January 15.
• We recommend that you apply for admission as early as possible in order to register for a pre-screen, audition or portfolio review, which are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Communicating Admission Decisions

• Final admission decisions aren't made at the time of your audition or portfolio review. We'll consider the artistic evaluation alongside the rest of your application and notify you of your admission decision by April 1 (by December 15 for Early Decision applicants).

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BXA Intercollege Degree Programs

To be considered for the BXA programs, you’ll first select the College of Fine Arts school that you wish to apply to. You'll then be asked if you’re interested in a BXA program and note your interest in either the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA), Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA), Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA) or Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA). 

Note that BXA applicants are only reviewed for the College of Fine Arts (CFA.) If you indicate interest in the BXA program, you will not be reviewed for a second college/program outside of your CFA choice. The intercollege BXA offerings are designed for students who’d like to combine or juxtapose their interests in the arts and another academic program. Students must meet the admission standards of their academic choice and complete the specific application requirements for their CFA focus (portfolio review, pre-screen, audition or interview).

Indicating interest does not mean your offer of admission will include acceptance to one of our BXA programs. Notification of BXA admission will follow your initial offer.

BXA options aren't available for those applying to the School of Drama for Music Theater, or Acting, or for external transfer applicants. Under Early Decision, BXA is only available for the School of Drama options in Design/Production and the Schools of Architecture and Art.

Exploring Carnegie Mellon

A college visit is the best way to discover which school is right for you. We offer both in-person and online visit opportunities. Here are just a few ways to experience Carnegie Mellon from home, on campus and in your area. Learn more and register for visit opportunities.

CARNEGIE MELLON ON CAMPUS

Information Sessions

The Office of Admission offers on-campus information sessions throughout the year. The session provides an experiential look at the university through student and faculty stories. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about Carnegie Mellon's areas of study, admission, financial aid and the city of Pittsburgh. 

Campus Tour

During our campus tour, student "Tartan Ambassadors" will show you classrooms, laboratories, traditions and unique architecture around campus. They'll also answer your questions and share an insider's perspective on the Carnegie Mellon experience.

Outdoor Campus Walking Route

On this self-guided touring experience, you'll have the opportunity to walk an outdoor path around campus for one hour. Visit the Coulter Welcome Center for details about a self-guided tour.

Admission Counseling Session

An Admission Counseling Session allows you to meet one-on-one with an Admission Counselor to ask any questions you have regarding Carnegie Mellon, the opportunities on campus, or the application and admission process. These sessions are typically 20-30 minutes long. 

Contact Carnegie Mellon for Assistance

If you need assistance while visiting campus, please contact us at admission@andrew.cmu.edu or 412.268.2082. We'll help meet your needs during your visit!

Carnegie Mellon Online

Virtual Campus Tours

When you can't make it to campus, we've got you covered. Our Tartan Ambassadors are hosting live Virtual Tours so you can experience Carnegie Mellon's campus from anywhere in the world. These Virtual Tours will offer you the opportunity to explore our campus while hearing more about the Carnegie Mellon experience.

Remote Information Sessions

Our remote Information Sessions are live events designed for you to learn more about the Carnegie Mellon experience. Led by our admission counselors, these hour-long webinars feature student stories, faculty highlights and detailed information about academics, student life and the admission and financial aid processes. You'll also have an opportunity to ask questions.

Remote Admission Counseling Session

We're currently offering remote admission counseling sessions for rising high school juniors and seniors. These virtual sessions allow students approaching the time of application to ask an admission counselor questions and seek guidance about Carnegie Mellon's unique colleges/programs and the admission process. Students and their families can join these sessions via video or phone call. Admission counseling sessions last about 20-30 minutes and allow time for parents or families to ask questions.

Tartan Talks

Tartan Talks are an online student panel series where interested visitors can learn more about the student experience at Carnegie Mellon University. Each Tartan Talk will feature our Tartan Ambassadors talking about their student involvement within academics, activities, research, the city of Pittsburgh and more. Bring your questions, and our Tartan Ambassadors will be ready to answer!

Carnegie Mellon in Your Area

Information Sessions Near You

We realize that it's not always possible for you to come to campus. The Admission staff does travel to different parts of the country and may offer information sessions in a city near you.