FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions
Do you admit students without a design or engineering background?
The majority of applicants to the MPD program have undergraduate degrees in either engineering or design. Most have backgrounds in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Design but we do see variations of these disciplines (Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering, Interaction Design, Communication Design and Service Design). Students without a technical, creative or aesthetic background, who have had some experience in product development in their professional career, and are passionate about building these skills, are also great candidates.
Can applicants with a current H-1B visa complete the MPD program part-time?
Yes. H-1B employees can take classes part-time while working full-time for their employer/sponsor of their H-1B. Generally, it is recommended that they let their employer know they are taking classes.
Can I apply for a Dual Degree?
If you are interested in obtaining a Dual Degree (the MPD degree and a degree from another CMU graduate program) you must apply and be admitted to both programs. Please be sure to indicate your intention for a Dual Degree in your online application in Apply Yourself.
What are the GRE score averages for accepted applicants?
Our GRE averages are 750 (159) Quantitative, 450 (150) Verbal, and 3.5 Analytical Writing.
Please note that we consider the entire application (including test scores, GPA, recommendations, statement of purpose, portfolio and fit with program) before making a final decision.
Do you accept GMAT scores in place of GRE scores?
No, we only accept the GRE.
What are the TOEFL/IELTS score guidelines?
Our suggested TOEFL guidelines are 22 Listening, 22 Reading, 18 Speaking, 22 Writing and 84 for the total score. The TOEFL requirement cannot be waived. We also accept the IELTS instead of the TOEFL. The IELTS guideline is 6.5.
Can the TOEFL score be waived?
TOEFL scores are required of international students whose native language is not English. This requirement cannot be waived for any reason.
What are your GRE and TOEFL school and department codes?
The institution/school code for Carnegie Mellon is 2074. The GRE department code is 1502. The TOEFL department code is 68.
What is the GPA average for accepted applicants?
Our average GPA is 3.5/4.
Can I receive transfer credit?
The MPD program does not accept transfer credit for courses completed at CMU or at any other institutions.
How can I schedule a visit?
Prospective applicants interested in seeing the MPD facilities and discussing the program may should email mpd-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu to schedule a visit. Requests to meet with MPD faculty and/or current students need to be made well in advance and are dependent on availability. Be sure to include the date(s) of your visit and the best times you are available to meet.
Admitted applicants interested in visiting the program (once they are accepted) are welcome to schedule an appointment with by following the same instructions above, or they can plan to attend our "Open House for Admitted Students" usually held in March.
Please note that "drop in" visitors cannot be accommodated and evening and weekend appointments are not available.
Admitted applicants interested in visiting the program (once they are accepted) are welcome to schedule an appointment with by following the same instructions above, or they can plan to attend our "Open House for Admitted Students" usually held in March.
Please note that "drop in" visitors cannot be accommodated and evening and weekend appointments are not available.
Where do I send supplemental materials that I did not submit in my online application?
Although we prefer that all application materials are submitted digitally through the online application system, if you need to send us an offiical transcript, portfolio, recommendation, etc... please send them to the mailing and/or email address below.
Master of Product Development Program (MPD)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
, Scaife Hall 402
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
mpd-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu
Have you received my application?
You can track your application status on-line at the Apply Yourself website. The website is updated as decisions are made, so please feel free to check your status frequently during the peak admission season.
Have you received my GRE and/or TOEFL scores from ETS?
As official GRE and TOEFL scores are received your application in Apply Yourself will be updated. You can track your application status and the receipt of your test scores on-line at the Apply Yourself website.
What if my GRE and/or TOEFL scores arrive after the application deadline?
It is acceptable for your official GRE and TOEFL score reports to arrive after the application deadline as long as it is during the committee review process. Having your reports arrive after the deadline will not affect your chances of being admitted unless they are received after the final decisions have all been made. It's best to have them sent as close to the application deadline as possible.
Have I been admitted? What is the status of my application?
Once your application is complete, the contents is cataloged and forwarded to the MPD Admissions Committee. All applications are held for review until after the application deadline; thus, there are no early decisions. Please contact mpd-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu should you have an extenuating circumstance which requires an early decision.
The MPD Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications shortly after the application deadline. Depending upon the number of applications received, this process can take several weeks. Once all of the applications have been reviewed, on-line tracking will be updated, and a letter will be made available to you electronically informing you of the decision. Therefore, it is important that you continue to check your on-line record on the Apply Yourself website frequently.
The MPD Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications shortly after the application deadline. Depending upon the number of applications received, this process can take several weeks. Once all of the applications have been reviewed, on-line tracking will be updated, and a letter will be made available to you electronically informing you of the decision. Therefore, it is important that you continue to check your on-line record on the Apply Yourself website frequently.
I'm admitted but cannot attend now, can I defer admission?
The program does not defer admission. Admitted applicants may re-apply the following year without submitting a new application however, due to the limited number of students admitted each year, these applicants will be reviewed along with all new applicants that next year. If you intend to re-apply, please email mpd-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu stating your intentions. You may also send additional information if you wish (i.e. additional transcripts from other schools you may have attended prior to admissions).
I'm was not admitted, can I re-apply the following year?
Yes, you can re-apply for admission the following year. All transcripts and official test scores (so long as they are not expired) are still valid, so there is no need to re-submit them. However, we do require an updated Statement of Purpose, 3 Letters of Recommendation, Resume, and Portfolio all be re-submitted.
If you intend to re-apply, please email mpd-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu stating your intentions. You may also send additional information if you wish (i.e. additional transcripts from other schools you may have attended prior to admissions).
I'm an admitted international student, what do I need to know?
If you are admitted, linked to your electronic acceptance letter will be two important forms that you are required to complete and promptly return to CMU's Office of International Education (OIE). One is the "International Student Form" and the other is the "Affidavit of Financial Support". If you decide to enroll you must return them both to the OIE at the address printed on the forms. Once these are received and processed by the OIE (which can take 3-4 weeks), you will receive your I-20. Once you receive the I-20 by mail, you can schedule your VISA appointment.
Please note: It's important that these two forms are returned to the OIE at CMU promptly to ensure that you can receive your I-20 and secure your VISA in time to arrive on campus to attend the required International Student Orientation and the first day of classes which typically start the week after.
Please note: Due to the high volume of packages received by the OIE, they are unable to confirm the receipt of your forms. Phone and email inquiries will not be acknowledged. The OIE will contact you via email if additional information is needed.
If you decide to enroll you are also required to attend CMU's International Graduate Student Orientation which takes place in August. Bring your original passport, I-20 or DS-2019 form, and I-94 card plus a duplicate copy of each. For event details please view the Orientation Flyer or visit the Office of International Education (OIE) website.
Please note: It's important that these two forms are returned to the OIE at CMU promptly to ensure that you can receive your I-20 and secure your VISA in time to arrive on campus to attend the required International Student Orientation and the first day of classes which typically start the week after.
Please note: Due to the high volume of packages received by the OIE, they are unable to confirm the receipt of your forms. Phone and email inquiries will not be acknowledged. The OIE will contact you via email if additional information is needed.
If you decide to enroll you are also required to attend CMU's International Graduate Student Orientation which takes place in August. Bring your original passport, I-20 or DS-2019 form, and I-94 card plus a duplicate copy of each. For event details please view the Orientation Flyer or visit the Office of International Education (OIE) website.
Why does my I-20 form say that my major is “Operations Management & Supervision?
The "majors" that appear on the I-20 form are provided by the US Dept. of Education, not by the university so they are very general. The US Dept. of Education does not have every major offered by every school in their database so "Operations Management & Supervision" is the closest one they have to describe the kind of subjects and work that is done in the MPD program. Once you are on campus your major will be MPD-Product Development and the degree you will eventually receive will be a Master of Product Development.
Will I need health insurance once I arrive on campus?
All full-time CMU students are required to have health insurance coverage while enrolled. Health insurance can be purchased through the university and is updated annually. Those who have their own health insurance must complete a waiver form for the Health Department. All full-time students are required to show proof of health insurance coverage. For more information about health insurance please visit the Student Health Services website.
When is tuition due?
Tuition bills will be sent by CMU Student Enrollment Services (HUB) directly to the student twice a year, one month prior to the beginning of each semester. Since the MPD program does not handle tuition, all matters related to tuition should be directed to Student Enrollment Services (HUB). Visit the HUB website for details or contact them by email: thehub@andrew.cmu.edu.