<p>My son continues to be interested in CMU. One of the main reasons it appeared to be such a good fit is the arts/tech combination of kids on campus. Now I am hearing (from other sources) that they (the groups) tend to segregate. The word out is that even though the school is strong in arts and technology, it remains a "fragmented" campus. Any ideas/experiences with this? It would be most helpful if it came from the students. This would definitely effect his interest.</p>
<p>This is only partially true. Some majors like Drama do tend to be more cliquey. Design students, on the other hand, tend to hang out with kids from other colleges too.</p>
<p>I am studying civil engineering and my best friend at CMU is a trumpet major. I also have a few very good design and architecture friends, as well as a friend who is a math major dating a vocalist. It really all depends on the student. Do you spend your free time with people from your classes or people from your dorm? Do you actively seek out meeting new people and joining activities, or do you focus all your time on academics?</p>
<p>If a student makes an honest effort to meet people outside one’s own major or school, then it is just as easy to meet and befriend art students as it it to meet science or humanities students (i.e. very easy). The only possible exceptions are architecture and drama majors whose work requires them to spend a lot of time in rehearsal or studio and away from the dorm, therefore making it a bit harder to meet people outside their major. It’s definitely not impossible, though, as I have made plenty of friends in both schools.</p>
<p>Thank you for the input. He’s interested in design but he’s also very tech oriented (and does theatre too at his high school but does not want to major in it though). Our biggest concern with CMU is the financial aspect at this point as it is not known for financial/merit aid.</p>
<p>If he is interested in theater but doesn’t want to major in it, have him check out Scotch ‘n’ Soda.</p>
<p>^Good call.</p>
<p>goingnutsmom, I encourage you guys to apply and see what aid you’ll get. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of grants I got last year. Additionally, CMU has been raising a lot of money recently and I think it’s pretty reasonable to assume Financial Aid will rise somewhat with endowment.</p>
<p>Good luck :)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. CMU, we have already filled out a preliminary fin. aid form and got a letter from them telling us no fin. aid would be offered. We expected as much. I don’t think my kid would be offered any merit aid either. We have saved a nice amount for him to go to school, but not $200,000 worth (which only the wealthy can really do that). The money we have saved would only take him part way through the college career and then we would be paying with income earned. Or we could sign up for the payment tuition plan and pay half with income and half with savings to make it through. We will have to think it through.</p>