I was suggested to start this thread, so here it is! I’m interested to meet other people interested in such a fantastic school for the arts, computer science, and engineering! Personally, I’m looking to apply for MechE!
Hey jjjwyatt, making this thread was a good idea so thank you. I’m pretty set on applying ED for computer science, but I have to visit first before finalizing my decision. I will definitely be applying to the school though since from what I’ve researched it’s a fantastic school and great fit for me.
@comploadite I think it’s a great fit for me as well! I’m hoping to visit next month and most likely I’ll be applying RD.
Oh wow I didn’t expect you would make this thread so early haha. Last year’s was made in November so I figured this year’s would be somewhat close to that time. But that’s completely fine though! Anyways, I thought I should make a general post introducing myself since I’ll be somewhat active (or atleast plan to. Not sure how busy the year will be).
Hey everyone. I’m MandomeLife. I’m a current student at Carnegie Mellon who was accepted to the College of Fine Arts’ School of Design and School of Art during the Regular Decision timeline. Carnegie was always my first choice for reasons that I’ll probably share later down the line, so I’ve become very familiar in the way admissions at Carnegie works. That includes the general admissions process, financial aid practices, and the Design program and Art program, among other things.
That being said, my knowledge of the admissions process was mostly gained by researching information openly available online (especially from https://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu). The other knowledge I have was gained from visiting the school and talking to students and faculty.
As a disclaimer, I am in no way affiliated with the school’s admissions office or AdCom. I’m just a current student who’s been through the process that most of you will about to endure, and who is willing to offer advice and share my own experiences just because I like helping people out through stressful times 
So please don’t ask me questions that should be directed to the admissions office (i.e “when are decisions coming out!?”). Those are for the admissions office. Also, no “Chance Me” questions either – I don’t believe I’m qualified (or willing enough) to provide any prospective student advice so blunt. Aside from that, feel free to ask any questions in this thread and I’ll provide input if I can!
Hope you guys are all ready for the college application process. It’ll be a wild ride.
Hi MandomeLife! I’m a female applying to CMU for civil engineering this coming year. However, I’m not taking AP Calc AB or BC senior year, I’m taking regular calc. I am, however, taking AP Physics 1 & 2. What percent of the engineering department (if you know any people there) didn’t take AP Calc?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi @gershwinfan . Unfortunately, that kind of specific data (the senior schedules of applicants) is something only the Admissions Office would have. To add to that, I don’t think they would give out that kind of information willy-nilly.
However, I can say that there are a handful of incoming students who haven’t taking AP Calc, either because they optioned not to or because their school did not offer it.
On another note, if you decide not to take the AP Calc AB exam in May (which is certainly an option to consider!) or if you don’t get a score that gives you credit, you would take Differential and Integral Calculus at Carnegie, which is essentially what you’ll learn in regular calclus but of course at the college level. Because not everyone gets a 5 on AP Calc, you’ll have a considerable amount of classmates in that course.
Hi! @MandomeLife CDS lists Demonstrated Interest as “Important” do you think Campus visit is super important?
@JulyRains They’re “Important” but not “super important” ;). You visiting any campus, though, is good for any prospective applicant to get a feel for the school, which is (most likely) Carnegie’s intention. They understand that it sometimes isn’t economically feasible for all applicants. If you’re able to display your passion for the school and your major in your essay, then it wouldn’t make a difference, from my perspective.
same as MandomeLife, I’m also a current CMU student. I’m majoring in ECE, and if any of you have any questions about applying to CIT or just CMU in general, feel free to ask away!
I was accepted RD and I applied for financial aid–if that gives any perspective. I also applied from outside of the US (but I’m a domestic student), so I’m familiar with most of the international struggs.
Good luck to all the applicants! 
Hopefully I can be of some use here.
Hi guys! I’m an incoming freshman engineering student, intending to major in MechE. Although I don’t have much insight on how things are actually on campus since I’m not there yet (and I’ve never visited either), I’d be happy to try to help answer questions. I applied ED and I am not a recruited athlete, if anyone has any specific questions about the early decision process.
As far as stats and chances go, I’d highly recommend checking out the past years’ decision results posts and just take an objective look at where you are relative to other people. Of course, nobody can ever say for sure, but it’s easy to get an idea of where you stand in terms of your ballpark competitiveness in the applicant pool and you can make your own predictions from there. I’d also recommend checking out Carnegie Mellon’s Common Data Set that JulyRains mentioned earlier, which I found super helpful in my own decision of applying ED and in shaping my application.
Great to see other people helping along!!
The Common Data Sets mentioned above can be viewed here: https://www.cmu.edu/ira/CDS/cds_1415.html
Edit: Here’s a more up-to-date set for the 2015/2016 year:
https://www.cmu.edu/ira/CDS/cds_1516.html
I’m probably applying ECE just because it provides me with that option! I’m also super interested in the Engineering + Public Policy program at CMU.
hi @spadeillusion, could you give me some comments about the difference between ECE and SCS? My understanding is that ECE works on both software and hardware, SCS is pretty much all software. Thank you very much.
tagged by @MandomeLife for @willz2017 --Tips for Applying to CIT
I didn’t apply ED, but I did RD, so hopefully it’s similar enough. There’s a lot you already can’t change: your GPA, extracurriculars, your ethnicity…but here are the things you can do.
-Make sure you meet all the SAT requirements. As a CIT applicant, you’ll have to take Math 2 and Physics/Chem beyond SATs/ACTs. (Just covering the basics.)
-Show demonstrated interest. On the Common Data Set it says demonstrated interest is “Important,” so I’m guessing CMU is one of those schools that have a record on who contacts them (don’t quote me on this), etc… There are tons of ways to show interest. If you can afford it, sign up for an interview, take a campus tour. Sometimes even sending an email asking a well-thought out question can do it. (What I did. Cause I actually had a question; don’t do it just to send an email.)
-In you Common App Essay and Why CMU, show interest and be nerdy! Everyone I’ve met at CMU, esp the engineers are nerdy af. Not exactly in the antisocial and quiet way, but in a passionate about technology way. Both my essays were heavily drawn on projects I’ve did.
-Have a central theme, especially in your Why CMU essay. I think the Why CMU supplement was the most important part of why I was accepted, because I was able to articulate why I liked CMU and why it would be a great place for me to learn.
-Do your research. Cite specific things you would like to get involved in, but don’t bombard them with a gigantic list of things you would like to be part of. Have a reason why you choose each and every one of what you want to do.
Bonus points: People say that engineers don’t have great social skills. To some degree it’s true, so having a well-written and focused answers will help. CMU is a wonderful engineering school that recognizes the importance of writing/communication, esp. in tech.
Disclaimer: I’m not an adcom. This is just my take on applying to CIT, after reflecting on my own application and my friends’ that applied. Hopefully it helped. Relax and take your time on the essays.
Don’t worry about the things you can’t change! Good Luck!
@golftlist That’s pretty much true in what you learn. As an ECE major, you can take the software development track and basically be a CS major with some background in hardware stuff.
At CMU, you’ll have to take a minor in addition your major in CS. But I don’t think you can do ECE if you’re in CS. (Non-CIT students can only declare BME, Engineering Studies, Robotics, and/or Technology and Policy as a minor.) As an ECE major can just be an ECE major if you want–no minor requirement–or you can take an additional major/minior in CS.
Essentially, if you’re choosing between applying to ECE or CS, I’d say try both if you’re in RD. If you’re applying ED, go for CS if you’re interested in the theoretical side (there’s a lot more math), and ECE if you’re interested in hardware.
here’s a great thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/447292-confused-about-cmu-cit-ece-degree-and-computer-science-degree-from-school-of-cs.html
If you have any more questions about more specific details, feel free to ask away!
@spadeillusion is taking all of your SAT 2s junior/senior year really that important? When I went to a Carnegie Mellon info session, they said that the only reason they’d excuse it is if you got a perfect score… I really don’t want to study for SAT Physics right now. I thought I was done with all of my SAT 2s (I’ve taken Bio, Chem, and Math II, but although I got a high score on Chem, it wasn’t perfect).
@scarletwitchx CMU requires SATII scores, so in terms of that: yes. You seem completely fine though, since you’ve taken both Chem and Math 2. But I’d think about what major you’ll be applying under. If you want to apply as a Chemical Engineer, you’d be perfect to go; but if you’ll be applying as a Mechanical Engineer or as ECE, I’d recommend taking Physics too.
Also, you don’t need perfect scores to get into CMU or any school for that matter. You’ll be fine!
Hey guys! I think I have a problem finding questions for 2017 fall semester admission for CMU. Any information that can help me?? Thanks.
Thank you so much for the info! Have a great school year 
@MandomeLife
@bananademocratic they haven’t been released yet–you have to wait until they’re released.