University Review – Carnegie Mellon University

Section 1: Admission Requirements for CMU

Ranked number 5 by USNEWS for Engineering, CMU has always been selective in its admissions. Placing high focus on research-centric profiles, CMU produces a fair share of STEM graduates in the US. With an acceptance rate of 22.5%,  the admission eligibility in terms of entrance tests is as under:

• Admission Eligibility:

• • Average GRE scores accepted: 319 (Q: 165; V: 154)
  • Average TOEFL scores accepted: 103
  • Average GPA required: 3.6 out of 4
  • Tuition Fees: $42,000

Section 2: Programs, Rankings & Fall ‘18 Deadlines

CMU takes great pride in being a research-oriented university. Annually, it receives about $1.739 billion as research endowment.

Take a look at some of the top-ranked programs and their deadlines for Fall.

GREedge Admission Tip: To increase your admit chances at CMU, emphasize your research experience, paper publications or even your final year project in your SOP clearly. Talk about your responsibilities, your learning and how it was instrumental in shaping your future aspirations. Since CMU is highly selective, research-centric profiles have higher chances of receiving an admit, provided they fit the admission criteria.

Section 3: Applying to CMU – Document Checklist

• Step 1: Zero in on the program of your choice

Ensure that the program you want to pursue is in line with your academic history and your future career aspirations. You must be qualified as well as passionate in order to achieve definite admit success at prestigious universities such as CMU.

• Step 2: Visit the program/department website

There is no single portal for applying to CMU. Depending on the program of your choice, you must apply directly at the program website. Therefore, the application requirements for each of the departments are also varied. Draw up a personal checklist after going through the website thoroughly.

For example, the Civil & Environmental Engineering Dept requires you to mail the hard copy of your GRE & TOEFL scores whereas the Electrical & Computer Engineering Dept does not explicitly ask you to mail any hard copies unless you are asked to.

• Step 3: Get down to the brass tacks

Irrespective of the program of your choice, some elements remain common to your application, though the number and specifics may vary. For example, the common mandatory requirements for any application include:

1. 1. Your GRE score report
   2. Your TOEFL/IELTS score report
   3. Statement of Purpose
   4. Letter of Recommendation
   5. CV/Resume

GREedge Admission Tip: Remember, these five documents form the backbone of any good application. So, be sure to give yourself enough time to collate the necessary documents and send them out at least 2 weeks before the deadline. Following this ideal timeline will prevent you from being frazzled during your application process and give you time to focus on important things like your finances, visa interview etc.

Section 4: Life at CMU

• Diversity at CMU:

According to a report published by the Office of Admissions at CMU, out of the total international student, about 31.2% were Asians, which is the highest as compared other ethnic groups. In fact, CMU proudly celebrates Diversity Weekend

Apart from this, there is a deep culture of supporting international students. The Office of International Education handles queries from application procedures to housing, facilities, visa status etc. Since many students are leaving their home country for the very first time, an entire department called the Intercultural Communication Center (ICC) offers support for students to develop fluency and cultural understanding, including teaching assistants.

Speaking of assistantships, while most students who apply for Master’s program are self-funded, there is a board that handles fellowships for deserving Indian students. Called the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Fellowship Program – India, it is managed by The Office of the Vice Provost for International Programs and Strategy.

• Student Activities:

If you find time outside your coursework, as a CMU student, you have plenty of opportunities to participate in many of the student activities organized on campus. With over 280 student-run organizations, you can be sure that you will find where you belong in no time! For graduate students, all social activities throughout the year are managed by the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA).

Those who aspire for leadership positions within the student body can apply to one of the many committees within the GSA such as Campus Affairs, Finance, External Affairs, Social, Communications and External Committees.

There is also a long, rich tradition of fraternities and sororities at Carnegie Mellon, though it is usually populated by undergraduates. With as many as 23 active chapters, members are heavily involved in leadership and service activities.

Coming to sports, there are over 43 sports clubs, through which students can choose to compete on the field, in the pool and on the court.

• On campus traditions

As a student of CMU, there are many traditions in the university that will make your college experience a lot more memorable and valuable.

There are many popular traditions at the university including Kiltie Band, The Fence, Buggy.

Spring carnival: Spring carnival is the oldest and most beloved campus tradition. Along with carnival rides, food and entertainment, the main components of the spring carnival are Booth and Buddy.

The fence: Another tradition at CMU is painting the fence. The Fence sits in the middle of campus and acts at a billboard for student groups. Strict tradition dictates that the Fence may only be painted between midnight and sunrise, in its entirety, using only paint brushes. To keep your message on the fence, you are expected to guard it around the clock. The guarding bit also turns out to be a fun experience as students camp out in tents all night and make new memories that will be cherished forever.

Kiltie Band: By entertaining home football games with songs, chants, cheers and a quirky sense of humor, the kilt-clad student marching band has made a mark for themselves at CMU.

• Campus Services

Tutoring: Whether you want additional teaching on some of your courses or you want to help out other students, you can choose to avail or volunteer at the many peer tutoring options available at CMU. From weekly review sessions to collaborative group studies, CMU gives you truly flexible options to help you succeed academically.

Community Service: As a CMU student, you have a chance to give back to the society. You can choose to volunteer across a range of activities from improving educational opportunities for children, implementing developmental activities for the National Science Foundation, making service trips etc. As part of the American Education System, community service is valued highly by universities as well as employees as a strong human value.

Graduate Professional Training: As a graduate student, CMU realizes that there is an immense need to prepare you for the work environment. Therefore, you will find that a number of workshops, seminars and conferences are conducted to encourage you to find research opportunities for the summer break, internships, and networking within your industry!