Required Application Materials for Undergraduate Admission

Students outdoor on CMU's campus studying and walking

If English is not your native language, this includes the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test.

Secondary School Counselor Evaluation

Teacher Recommendation

Common Application Essay

Common Application Writing Supplement

This includes three short-answer questions

*Carnegie Mellon accepts fee waivers from students who meet one of the indicators of economic need as outlined on the Common Application.

**Transcript and graduation requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required for admission to Carnegie Mellon (for applicants who are 17 and over). Applicants should submit courses and grades from all secondary schools attended, and enrolling students are required to submit an official final transcript as well. Applicants who have received a high school equivalency diploma are required to have their official High School Equivalency Examination (GED) scores sent to the Office of Admission in addition to courses and grades from all high schools attended.

Additional Requirements

For All Applicants

If admitted, you must provide proof of meeting all requirements for an official high school diploma by the end of May of the year of graduation. You must also submit an official final transcript, GED or certificate of completion from your local school district or state board of education by the end of July of the year of matriculation.

For Home-Schooled Applicants

You should submit an academic portfolio or transcript that’s consistent with your state’s guidelines and a list of all textbooks used.

For College of Fine Arts Applicants:

For the School of Drama or the School of Music, you must arrange a required pre-screen, audition or portfolio review. For the Schools of Architecture, the School of Art or the School of Design, you must submit the required portfolio and creative materials.

For College of Engineering Applicants:

Students applying to the College of Engineering are admitted directly to a major or, in the case of Civil & Environmental Engineering, a department. Students who are accepted to Civil & Environmental Engineering will declare either Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering at the end of the fall semester of their first year. Requests to change major will be considered after the first year, but are not guaranteed to be approved and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Students admitted as undecided within the College of Engineering are allowed to choose among the primary majors during the spring semester of their first year. In the spring of their first year, all students will also have the opportunity to declare an additional major from among Biomedical Engineering; Engineering and Public Policy; Engineering, Design, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship; and Engineering and Fine Arts.

Supporting Documents and Supplemental Information

Carnegie Mellon doesn’t accept supplemental submissions, such as resumes, artwork, portfolios, recording or websites. We encourage you to use the Common Application, along with the Carnegie Mellon Supplemental Essays, to highlight experiences or activities that have enhanced or defined your personal growth during high school. Carnegie Mellon won’t accept updates from applicants after January 15 but will continue to accept documents and updates from high school counselors after that point.

Please note that mid-semester grades or transcript updates should be reported by your high school counselor throughout the admission process. For applicants to the College of Fine Arts, please refer to our information for College of Fine Arts applicants.

Where Am I in the Process? Portal

Applicants, please note that you'll need to register for the Where Am I in the Process? portal in order to receive your admission decision and financial aid offer, so please review the Terms of Service prior to applying. The Where Am I in the Process? portal service is intended for individuals at least 13 years old; if you intend to apply and are not at least 13, please contact the Office of Admission .

Instructions for DACA, Home-Schooled, Cyber and Non-Traditional Applicants

Applying as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Student

Carnegie Mellon welcomes applications from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. Follow the instructions for either first-year or transfer applicants and review the admission requirements noted at the top of this page. We accept College Board and NACAC fee waivers for the nonrefundable application fee. If you need an application fee waiver, you should contact the Office of Admission.

Please also be aware of this additional information:

If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact the Office of Admission.

Applying as a Home-Schooled or Cyber Student

Carnegie Mellon welcomes applications from students who have been schooled at home or online. In addition to the information below, please be sure to follow the instructions for first-year applicants and review the admission requirements noted at the top of this page.

To apply to the university, you must:

If admitted, you will also need to submit an official final transcript, GED or certificate of completion from your local school district or state board of education by the end of July of the year of matriculation.

Applying as a Non-Traditional Student

Carnegie Mellon welcomes applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds, including prospective students who are seeking a second bachelor’s degree, and those who are interested in a first bachelor’s degree several years after graduating from high school.

To apply for a second bachelor’s degree if your first degree is from Carnegie Mellon:

To apply for a second bachelor’s degree if your first degree is from another college or university:

To apply for a first bachelor’s degree if you’re from a nontraditional background:

Applicants from the Veterans & Military Community and ROTC Applicants

Carnegie Mellon provides services to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for Veterans Education Benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. Visit the Veterans and Military Community website for more information.

For questions and additional information regarding military and veteran applicants, please contact Mike Danko, ROTC Veterans Affairs Coordinator, at @email or 412.268.8747.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship information: