<p>We visited CMU this weekend and learned a lot about how amazing CMU students are, but in terms of specifics about why one would seek to study electrical engineering at CMU as opposed to elsewhere, not so much. The focus was not on how CIT will make one a great engineer, but more about how CMU is not looking for applicants who are interested in engineering, per se. The speaker at the information session conveyed that a student's vision for improving the world, as shown by his or her extracurricular activities, is much more important than his or her interest in engineering. While my son's CV shows that he has pursued science and engineering learning outside of school, his volunteer work doesn't really tie into this (e.g., natural resource crew in the park). In short, I'm wondering if it is worth applying given the signals that the admissions speaker was giving. I don't mean this in a snarky way, but is this a pointless application for my son to anguish over? He's got enough to do with his science research project, which I suspect would be of little interest to CMU since again, it is just showing more of his interest in science. Should he just stick with RPI, WPI and Case Western? PS his grades, test scores and so forth are all tops. PPS he is not going to be super sophisticated in presenting himself as a game-changer... he comes across as very sweet, sincere, and possibly a little on the young side.</p>
<p>Hello, I apologize that I can’t offer any insight into this question. However, I’m interested in the same thing. I haven’t applied to Carnegie Mellon yet, but I plan to during the Regular Decision cycle. I also will apply to CIT for mechanical engineering, with a possible second major in robotics. </p>
<p>I also haven’t done anything “extraordinary” when compared to other applicants. I haven’t done research in high school, or built some amazing device, but I do have a desire to improve society, which I intend to accentuate in my essay. My test scores are average (ACT: 33C, 35E, 35M, 10W, SATII: 770 physics, 760 Math 2, and still awaiting November test scores). I applied to MIT and Caltech and have the same feeling. However, I’ve felt that during the application to MIT, at least, that they focus much more on the “person” instead of the “numbers.” Although Carnegie Mellon does have one essay which gives the opportunity to show personality and aspirations, MIT allows much more opportunity with this because of its (essentially) six essays and supplemental materials.</p>
<p>So, in short, I posted mainly so I could see when someone comes along to answer. I’m having the same concern, and I don’t want to spend the time and money if I won’t have a decent chance at admission.</p>
<p>Rather than considering the question of whether a person could gain admittance to CMU, I suggest the question of whether a student would want to go to CMU CIT if admitted. My child is a junior there and told me recently that he had learned so much at CMU that it had changed his life. His words. He’s gotten terrific internships, too. </p>
<p>Oh I forgot to say that the sleeping bag weekend was really helpful for him to see what it was like.</p>
<p>Thanks racetrack. My son has visited and really likes CMU. He would love to go there. Point is, the admissions speaker said that to get into CMU, a student should be someone taking all the hardest courses, getting all A’s, but more important, someone with a vision to change the world, Just wondering if that is really the case, or if non perfect students are sometimes admitted to CIT. Obviously we know that some schools only accept students who are extraordinary, in every way. If CMU is one of those schools, that’s fine. Just trying to find out. </p>
<p>I don’t think my son would mind my saying he was a non-perfect high school student. In fact he told me an interesting thing a few months ago about that. He was talking to a bunch of his fellow students, and these are all incredibly successful CMU students, and none of them had academically excelled in high school. Probably because of who they are and what their interests are, and how their minds work, they were not perfect gpa kids in high school. Maybe a common thread in them was that they were all independent project type kids. They were probably fairly high standardized test scorers, but not GPA. And they all are doing fantastic in college I suspect because they are learning something that connects with them and they’ve found their people so to speak. </p>
<p>So it seems to me that CMU is one of those colleges that will take a chance on a kid, as they did with my son. And I’m glad for it and I hope they never change from that philosophy. My student’s college counselor in high school told me that CMU must have seen my child’s potential. If I have one suggestion about this whole process in relation to CMU, I would highly recommend that your child attend the sleeping bag weekend. And if he thinks that CMU is the one for him, that he tell the school that. Also, I think early decision is helpful. My child was not early decision, but it seems to me that the statistics of early admission are in a person’s favor.</p>
<p>Please know that I am electronically sending you all my best wishes for a great outcome in this whole stressful process. We only want our children to be happy in their college experience and I hope with all my heart that your child finds that. If your son does go to the sleeping bag weekend, I would recommend that you go that weekend also because they have some good talks. I learned a lot that weekend.</p>
<p>current student here. i second everything this mom/dad ^ said. nothing more to add. read what he/she wrote twice and do it :)</p>
<p>With all schools, I think that there is often a difference between the “perfect” applicant the admissions people say they are looking for, who has the academic credentials and also the vision to the change the world as reflected in ECs, and most “real-life” applicants who gain acceptances. If your S has the GPA and test scores that put him within range of CMU, I would encourage him to apply. </p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice! And @racetrack for your good wishes. My son sons, yes, he is going to apply, and I will urge him to do the sleeping bag weekend. He is going to have a CMU alum interview this weekend as his next step, so unless that goes horribly, full steam ahead! </p>