Frequently Asked Questions

As a CMAC member you will be asked many questions about the entire admission process and college experience.  Although the questions you’ll field have the potential to be as varied as the students that are asking them, you’ll quickly realize that students have many of the same questions.  What follows are commonly asked questions and the subsequent answers.

Can I study pre-medicine at Carnegie Mellon?

We do have a Health Professions Program which will allow students from ANY major to prepare for medical school.  This program has an advising office which is located in the Mellon College of Science (MCS).  A student may also select the Health Professions minor through the College of Humanities and Social Science (H&SS).  Carnegie Mellon students have had an 85% acceptance rate into medical school. Visit www.cmu.edu/hpp/ for more details.

Can I study pre-law at Carnegie Mellon?

There is a pre-law advising program is housed in the Academic Advisory Center of the H&SS. Contact Joesph Devine, Pre-Law Advisor, for more details.

Can I study abroad ?

The Office of International Education (OIE) offers a variety of opportunity for students to study off-campus.  Students have many options to study off-campus during their time at Carnegie Mellon.  The University has exchange programs in Australia, China, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, and Japan to name a few.  Other study abroad programs may be pursued throughout the study abroad advisor.  The OIE sponsors information and orientation sessions to help students find a program that is right for them.

How safe is the campus?

Carnegie Mellon benefits from its location in Pittsburgh, which has historically been a very safe city.  We have an active security force: 25 officers comprise the police staff; 20 security guards, five radio dispatchers, and two traffic monitors are also on the security staff.  Students may request a brochure on security at Carnegie Mellon, which includes crime statistic reports and security policies and procedures.

Does Carnegie Mellon offer scholarships?

The Carnegie Mellon Office of Admission does not offer purely merit based scholarships.

Presidential Scholarship
Varies in amount and is for students who qualify for little or no need-based Financial Aid.  Therefore, you must apply for need-based aid in order to be eligible for this scholarship

Students can also receive financial assistance based on need.  Over 54% of the student body receives some form of financial assistance.  The average need based package is $22,943.  Non-US citizens / International students are not eligible to receive any neither financial assistance nor scholarship award.

Can I have a self-defined major?

At this point, the only college that currently offers a self-defined major option is the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS).

Can I change majors between colleges?

In general, changing majors depends on two factors:

A number of students switch between Carnegie Institute of Technology (CIT) and Mellon College of Science (MCS) at the end of their freshman year, for example.  Students wishing to transfer into College of Fine Arts (CFA) must go through the admission process again (we call these students Interdepartmental Transfers), and must audition or show a portfolio.

Depending on how related the two majors are, and the timing of the transfer (i.e., freshman or sophomore years), students may or may not have to go longer than four years.  Internal Transfer into most computer related majors is “virtually” impossible.  These would include Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering.  The computer related majors tend to operate at or near full capacity, and thus transfer of any kind (either internal or external) is not likely.

How important are fraternities and sororities?

Approximately 15 - 20% of Carnegie Mellon’s students are members of the Greek system on campus.  However, there are over 130 different clubs and activities and 17 varsity athletic teams at Carnegie Mellon in addition to the 11 fraternities and 5 sororities.  There is no social pressure to get involved in any one of our non-academic activities.

Can I receive a master’s Degree in 5 years?

The Heinz School, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science (software), most Engineering departments, and some H&SS departments offer 5 year Master’s degree programs for highly qualified students.

Can freshmen have cars?

First year students living on campus are not permitted to have cars.  We are very concerned with how first year students become acclimated with the university, which is why we require first year students to live in university housing.  Having a car only detract from the matriculation process.  Most importantly, Carnegie Mellon has limited parking available on campus.

Do I need to buy a computer?

Most students attending Carnegie Mellon do bring their own computers.  However, students are not required to purchase a computer before enrollment.  The university provides 3 computers per student across the campus.  FYI – Carnegie Mellon was the first university in the United States to provide a COMPLETELY wireless campus.

Can I apply to more than one college?

Yes.  The application allows students to rank order by preference which college is their first choice and write-in the department(s) in which they wish to major.  If students apply to more than one college, they should clearly indicate an interest in each through the application essay.  Each college has a separate admission committee.  The admission committees will thoroughly review all parts of the application (including the essay) prior to making a decision.

*Please note; if a student is applying Early Decision he/she can only apply to ONE school.