I was going to do early decision, but I’m reconsidering right now. Besides the academic reputation, I can’t seem to find any other stand out features. So for you guys, what thing other than academic reputation is drawing you to CMU?
It’s a unique school in that it’s nationally recognized as being amazing in both STEM and The Arts. There’s really nothing else like it that way—at least not at its size. You have tomorrow’s movie stars next to tomorrow’s robotics startup founders.
A bit unresponsive to the question, but I covet the PhD robes from CMU – accented with plaid! I love plaid.
@odannyboySF yeah but that’s still related to their academic reputation
My D17 just felt very comfortable there when she visited. This surprised my husband and me because she’s not a STEM kid. So go figure because we can’t :-??
Pittsburgh is an up and coming city with reasonable housing, foodie and music scene, and good arts. CMU still has a Greek system.
You come to CMU to genuinely learn and get prepped. If you want to go to a school with academic reputation, CMU isn’t the best place to be. Go to Harvard. CMU challenges you without breaking you (supposedly).
Otherwise, there’s a plethora of things to love about CMU! The people are amazing here, they come from all corners of the world, they study so many different things, and they all love what they do! And once you get involved on campus, there are quite a few interesting traditions we have, such as painting the fence, CIA’s friday pancakes, and so much more! It’s a quirky lil haven for people who are quirky themselves 
@spadeillusion I doubt Harvard is any better/worse in challenging you to learn than CMU. They wouldn’t be highly ranked if they didn’t have great academics. Also, “people are amazing”, “they study so many different things”, “they all love what they do”. Those are all general statements that apply to almost any top university. So the only thing you mentioned that’s really unique to CMU is the traditions. No hard feelings, just pointing it out.
@mommamia26 Lowkey tho, a lot of universities are highly ranked because research plays such a great part in rankings. I’m not saying that Harvard is less challenging, but there are definitely people who say that the hardest part about Harvard is getting into it. I wouldn’t know of course, but from what I hear from my high school friends, some of them are not really challenged much in some really prestigious schools.
As for “people are amazing” it’s also really up to whether or not you feel the vibe. But for “they study so many different things,” there is something about CMU that makes it really stand out. How many schools can you say can have the top CS department and drama department? These two departments are usually seen as at the opposite ends of the academic spectrum, but here, the fact that both of them are absolutely wonderful programs definitely makes CMU interesting. A lot of schools, you might hear, look down on majors that their school is not known for. For example, if you are a humanities major in MIT, I heard some people do think you’re inferior, or you’re just here because MIT is a brand name school.
When I said “they all love what they do,” I was alluding to how CMU is seen as a nerd school, and we are a nerd school. It’s cause we’re all passionate in what we do, whether we’re a science nerd, or a drama nerd.
Honestly, you could also say that traditions are something every university has and CMU is just another university. It’s all about perspective. If you think CMU is special and it stands out, it does. For me, it’s the combination of little quirks of CMU that add up to make it special.
P.S. I choose CMU, so I love it a lot. My opinion is probably definitely over idealized. Take it with a grain of salt.
@mommamia26 it seems rather pointless to ask others to convince you if you can’t convince yourself. If you have doubts, don’t do it. If it’s the right school, right decision you’ll know. Every decision is unique to the individual.
CMU will work you to death, and then serenade you with music and art. It’s crazy the wide range of people and disciplines that exist on campus.
Also CMU is SUPER into interdisciplinary work with SO MANY intercollege programs such as BXA, Robotics, HCI, etc…
Also basically everyone here is a nerd, a computer nerd, theater nerd, etc. People LOVE what they do, and that’s why they work so hard at it.
The atmosphere that all of what I said blends to create it what makes CMU stand out imo
I’m really into chemistry and CMU is a great STEM school and really nearby…like 4 hours from my house. And I love Pittsburgh, and my grandparents live in Pittsburgh, and there are good music opportunities for me in Pittsburgh and Morgantown. A lot of people I know at my church graduated from CMU and are/were chemical engineers in the local industry. Idk it just always made sense for me to apply there.