<p>I'm most likely applying to my schools in this order: SCS, CIT (computer/electrical engineering). Should I apply to H&SS just in case I don't get admitted to either of the first two schools?</p>
<p>Anyway, my main question: how does it work? Do they send your app to SCS first, and then if you're rejected, send it to CIT? Or do they send it to a main body and decide everything there?</p>
<p>Each college has an individual department which considers applications. It is also broken down into programs in some cases - for example, within CFA, Drama, Design, Architecture and Fine Art all have their own mini admissions committees.</p>
<p>So you could apply to SCS, CIT and HSS and they would all be considered independently. Under regular decision you could get accepted to one, two, all, or none of the schools you applied to.</p>
<p>WOW! So you would get accepted to any number of them, and then you could decide which one to attend after?</p>
<p>Yes-- but be cautious with that. You’ve got to demonstrate interest in your application and your essay or they’ll be like “what is going on here” and possibly outright reject you. CMU is one of a very limited number of schools with a policy like this, so they’re fairly adept at sniffing out people who are applying just for the sake of getting in somewhere – not necessarily with a program that fits.</p>
<p>A good example of this is, for example, a kid who applies to SCS and has a hardcore tech-y resume, but who applies to Fine Art as a backup since it’s easier to get into. The school would catch that and probably reject him. Moral of the story? only apply to colleges where you have a little bit of interest shown.</p>