<p>Hey.</p>
<p>Well first off, what made you want to come to this school? And secondly, how much are you enjoying it? Elaborate about that in terms of athletics, campus, clubs, curriculum, academics, food, social life, city life, things to do, student body, professors, financial help, everything else, etc.
From your overall experience at this university, rate how much you like it on a scale from 1-10.</p>
<p>I came here because I was drawn to the education and research facilities. I wanted a professional school, and that's what I got. I'm in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program, which is proving to be tough in terms of course load. </p>
<p>The two sects of people who complain about courseload are engineerings and computer scientists - other than that, it seems to be okay. </p>
<p>The student body is among the most diverse in the nation; with an excellent business, engineering, CS and drama school there's a group for everyone. The professors are great, office hours are once or twice a week. You can go to them and talk to them about anything you want.</p>
<p>That's all I can write now, but maybe I'll have more to talk about in a few months.</p>
<p>I'm just a freshman, so I guess I can't be too specific, but so far I love it. At first I wasn't sure if it was worth the money, but it is. There are things you get here you don't get elsewhere. As a frosh, I am already working on a research project under my professor!</p>
<p>I guess the reason so many people try to double major here is that all of the professors make their classes so awesome, you wish you could take more! I signed up for an economics class just to fulfil some requirements, and now I'm thinking of at least getting a minor...but then all my other professors are awesome, so I just have to contain myself.</p>
<p>I would say that the area the school is in is awesome. You are totally not confined to the campus, and if the offerings at CMU don't interest you (iron chef competition last weekend, shows, concerts, comedy, etc.) you can always head over to Pitt (3 minutes, tops) for other events. If you don't want to stay on eithier campus, there are a lot of house parties available in the neighborhood, since rent is fairly reasonable here. </p>
<p>Also, the school is backed by a giant park (schenley) that I have already made use of as a great place to study/play soccer/go hiking/play on the swings/stargaze etc. etc. I've counted four playgrounds and miles of trails. A lot of kids like to go running on them, as they are well-populated and very safe. [as a side note, most dorms have workout facilities for when it starts getting a little colder].</p>
<p>I would have to say the financial aid is pretty good (better than similar schools, worse than flagship public), but then I'm a girl from an underrepresented area in mechanical engineering, so the statistics worked in my favor. </p>
<p>As for the students, they are so much better than I expected. Coming in, I thought they were all going to be quite nerdy, but there are lots who are looking to get a normal college experience out of all this, and are ready to kick back and have fun every once in awhile. Even the kids who party every weekend are able to keep up the grades, so (at least for freshman year) you can do well academically and socially. </p>
<p>Food/Dorms are alright. Morewood E-Tower is the best place to stay (though I'm in Donner), and there are a few good places to eat on campus (gingers being one of the most popular), though the biggest gripe about the food is not that it is bad but just that it gets repetitive and that the meal plan is pricey. Both are true, but aren't reasons to reject the school overall.</p>
<p>Something you haven't mentioned but you'll think about later is getting jobs and the like. This is a very career-oriented school, as in they want you to get a great job coming out. There are always tons of people dressed up for interviews going into the career center, and there is an awesome job/internship search framework up, so it's really awesome. </p>
<p>Another thing to consider is Study abroad. I don't know much about it, but my roommie (who I love dearly) went to an info session, and I guess they have programs in Germany and Switzerland mostly, but that you can go wherever you want if you find a program that goes there.</p>
<p>I think I covered almost everything, but feel free to ask some more questions if you'd like.</p>
<p>i'm a hs junior, looking to get into Tepper..since you guys got in, maybe you can evaluate my stats? ALSO, i'm attending APEA this summer, will that help?
Also applying ED fall 2006</p>
<p>Minority Status/ Black Male
APEA:
Calculus and Physics
GPA: 3.3 w/3.1 uw</p>
<p>SAT 2: 2120 (just over 1400 converted back to the old sat)</p>
<p>AP's: AP English 11; made straight A's
next year i'll take AP calc 2, with my calc 1 credit from Carnegie Mellon
also AP english 12</p>
<p>EC's: Mock Trial (State bar association)
FBLA
Class Treasurer 2 years
SGA Treasurer 1 year
work 35 hours/week
200+ community service hours at various locations (libraries, school, etc.)
i'll probably be national merit commended..and national achievement scholar or finalist</p>
<p>INTERVIEW/ESSAY
I'm a good writer, highly commended by english teachers, so the essay will be good..i'm good at overall image, so interview will also be good. I also live like 5 hours from Pittsburgh</p>
<p>Just a sidenote question, the cost of the APEA program is just over $7000 (including spending money), THAT IS STEEP..though i have the money, for the cost, it needs to count - big time..just how important is that program when entrance applications are being considered? does it seperate me from the rest of the candidates?</p>
<p>thank you for your time.</p>
<p>There are a lot of people that come here that went to APEA, and it might nudge you over, BUT I don't think it's a huge factor. However, APEA is a pretty cool program. I didn't do it, but people who do come to campus already knowing professors, upperclassmen, and the lay of the land. Also, you can take classes here and then pick if you want them applied to your transcript. So if they're good, hooray, if not, no big deal. </p>
<p>I have also heard you get a lot more attention at APEA since everyone has time without everyone around, and again, you get to know professors better since it's generaly tiny classes, which is great when you get here as a frosh.</p>
<p>Also, after a quick glance at your information, I'd say you have a pretty good chance of getting in (but I'm no expert), so if you're just doing it from an admissions standpoint, I would say don't spend the money, but there are so many other reasons to do it. Also, even if you decide not to go to CMU, you still get the college experience, which is great to get a taste of before you decide which school is for you.</p>