<p>I have been wanting to go to CMU for some time. I was talking to someone who was in CMU and said his GPA was like a 3.7 and he didn't really do ECs. His SAT was around 1450. So, what does this college look for if people like that can get in (not saying he isn't smart, becaue he is very smart, but some people have more ECs and such so I was just wondering if there is like a % at how much grades matter, and how much ECs matter, and how much SATs matter).</p>
<p>Depends on the major and essays. There is no % formula nor a cutoff for scores of any kind. The admissions process is holistic so make an impression that you would be a good fit for the school/major you are interested in by focusing your application (E.C's and essays) around that.</p>
<p>Just an obsevation, but I think CMU does place less emphasis on EC's and other "non-academic" factors on other schools. Almost everyone I've seen accepted has had high math/science test scores and those who didn't get in, didn't it. </p>
<p>Of course there are exceptions, like the Art school, but generally, I think high test scores (especially math ones) are the key.</p>
<p>And the essay and teacher recs are extremely important. Dont blow em off to the last minute, my essay and teacher rec was what gave me the extra push to get in that I wouldnt have gotten in elsewise (and I know it..)</p>
<p>Hey collegefreak12, that's a pretty broad question you ask, but my advice would be as follows.</p>
<p>-Score very high on the math, preferably over 750, but if not, as long as you get good grades, and get at least over 700, you will be fine.<br>
-Score respectable on the verbal (mid 600s)
-Do very well in your classes. I think that is the most important thing.
-Put time into your essays and teacher recommendations and try to get them to reflect your dedication.
-While ECs aren't extremely important and you don't need to have a lot of them, it would be helpful to have one EC which you could demostrate that you are very involved in (perhaps as a captain). In fact I think having one EC that you are very involved in will, perhaps, look better than having a bunch of ECs that you aren't involved in much.</p>
<p>Note: What I wrote does not apply to the School of Fine Arts, for which I would assume that the submitted portfolio is the main factor.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>