Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Your Application Checklist

Required Application Materials for Undergraduate Admission
$75 Application Fee*
Official High School Transcript**
Please review our Academic Requirements.
Required Standardized Testing Official Score Reports
If English is not your native language, this includes the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test.
Secondary School Counselor Evaluation
Teacher Recommendation
Common Application Essay
Common Application Writing Supplement
This includes three short-answer questions
*Carnegie Mellon accepts fee waivers from students who meet one of the indicators of economic need as outlined on the Common Application.
**Transcript and graduation requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required for admission to Carnegie Mellon (for applicants who are 17 and over). Applicants should submit official transcripts from all secondary schools attended, and enrolling students are required to submit an official final transcript as well. Applicants who have received a high school equivalency diploma are required to have their official High School Equivalency Examination (GED) scores sent to the Office of Admission in addition to official transcripts from all high schools attended.
Additional Requirements
For All Applicants
If admitted, you must provide proof of meeting all requirements for an official high school diploma by the end of May of the year of graduation. You must also submit an official final transcript, GED or certificate of completion from your local school district or state board of education by the end of July of the year of matriculation.
For Home-Schooled Applicants
You should submit an academic portfolio or transcript that’s consistent with your state’s guidelines and a list of all textbooks used.
For College of Fine Arts Applicants:
For the School of Drama or the School of Music, you must arrange a required pre-screen, audition or portfolio review. For the Schools of Architecture, the School of Art or the School of Design, you must submit the required portfolio and creative materials.
Supporting Documents and Supplemental Information
Carnegie Mellon doesn’t accept supplemental submissions, such as resumes, artwork, portfolios, recording or websites. We encourage you to use the Common Application, along with the Carnegie Mellon Supplemental Essays, to highlight experiences or activities that have enhanced or defined your personal growth during high school. Carnegie Mellon won’t accept updates from applicants after January 15 but will continue to accept documents and updates from high school counselors after that point.
Please note that mid-semester grades or transcript updates should be reported by your high school counselor throughout the admission process. For applicants to the College of Fine Arts, please refer to our information for College of Fine Arts applicants.
Before you can rush to the edge of what’s known, you’ve got some paperwork to do.
Take a look at what’s required and make note of important deadlines for applying. For detailed guidance, download the 2022 Carnegie Mellon Application Instructions Booklet (PDF).