Is it bad if I don't have very "techy" or "mathy" ECs for CMU?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>Like literally, I have none.</p>

<p>Here are my EC's:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Started and Lead a card distribution nonprofit that has a partnership with 4 enormous churches and two public schools that sends hand-made cards to hospice patients, cancer patients, veterans, and nursing home patients. Sent nearly 3000 cards last year alone. Like literally, 90% of my effort goes into managing this thing.</p></li>
<li><p>LD Debate Team Captain ( Top 64 in state )</p></li>
<li><p>UNICEF Club founder and president - Raised over 5000 dollars last year.</p></li>
<li><p>Various community service ( not listed ) Above 150 hours.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I'm applying to CMU's information systems program ( top choice, may apply ED ), Tepper, and H&SS. I initially saw InfoSys in HSS, so I thought it would need more humanities based ecs, but everyone who seems to be applying has super techy EC's.. </p>

<p>How are my EC's in general? Unimpressive?
Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Have you had any coding experience? (Do you do IS-related work for your distribution service?) It would be helpful if you have some experience in that area. What makes you want to pursue IS?</p>

<p>Also, GPA/test scores/recs/essays are pretty significant. If you seem like the kind of student they want, not having done tech EC’s is forgivable. Not everyone here has had significant HS experience in their major.</p>

<p>In any case your nonprofit sounds pretty awesome. I wish I had done something like that!</p>

3

<p>I got into IS through ED (though I’m no longer an IS major). I had zero ‘mathy’ or ‘techy’ EC’s; in fact, I only had one musical EC and some community service projects. Of course not being part of admissions I could never verify this, but personally I think the CMU supplement essay in which you talk about why you choose CMU and the specific program you are applying to was way more important in terms of helping me get in. I do think I showed a solid understanding of what IS is in my supp, even though I soon realized I didn’t want to do that stuff for life after entering college.</p>