Carnegie Mellon University

The Admission Process

The Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences welcomes you to submit an application to become a part of our next generation of problem-solvers, pioneering researchers and interdisciplinary scholars.

Each school and college within Carnegie Mellon University has a different set of admission criteria; however, the university’s Office of Undergraduate Admission centrally coordinates the application process university-wide.

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Dietrich College Admission Statistics for Class of 2025+

Admitted Student Averages:

GPA: 3.91
SAT-ERW*: 730-770
SAT-M*: 765-800

ACTE*: 35-36
ACTM*: 33-35
ACTC*: 34-35

*Represents the middle 50% range

Plan Your Campus Visit

Carnegie Mellon is excited to offer both in-person and virtual visits so you and your family can choose the option that works best for you. Limited registration is available for in-person campus tours. You can also register for in-person information sessions with the Dietrich department of your choice or with our Academic Advisory Center. Or visit us online by taking a virtual campus tour and signing up for an online information session.


explore visit options
Two students in CMU t-shirts walk across campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements and Deadlines

The Office of Undergraduate Admission requires:

  • the Common Application
  • an application fee
  • high school transcript
  • all required standardized testing official score reports*
  • a Secondary School Counselor Evaluation
  • a Teacher Evaluation
  • Common Application Essay 
  • Carnegie Mellon Common Application Writing Supplement

*Carnegie Mellon University has adopted a test-optional policy through fall 2024, removing the SAT/ACT standardized testing requirement for first-year applicants.

View more details on these requirements.

  • 4 years English
  • 3 years mathematics*§
  • 1 year science (2 years or more preferred)
  • 2 years foreign language
  • 6 electives

*Three years of mathematics are required (e.g., algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, elementary functions, pre-calculus and advanced mathematics courses). 

§Four years of mathematics are required for applicants to the Information Systems program. 

 
Learn more about academic requirements by school and college.

Carnegie Mellon University defines an international applicant as someone who is a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than the United States, and who will be studying in the United States on a temporary visa. For international students, the application procedure and timetables are essentially the same as for candidates applying from schools in the United States. 

Please note: 

  • Carnegie Mellon doesn't offer financial aid to international students.
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test (DET) is required if your native language is not English.

View for more information on how to apply as an international undergraduate student.

Every applicant is an individual, and we take great care to make admission decisions fair, thorough and sensitive. We're interested in students who can be successful at Dietrich College while taking full advantage of all the university has to offer and enriching our campus community.

We consider your:

  • Academic and artistic potential
  • Recommendations
  • Standardized test scores*
  • Activities, experiences and passions
    • extracurricular accomplishments, part-time jobs, hobbies and community service
    • leadership, motivation, passion and perseverance, concern and advocacy for others, and other experiences
  • Essay responses 

*CMU has adopted a test-optional policy through Fall 2022, removing the SAT/ACT standardized testing requirement for first-year Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 applicants.

Learn more about these factors in our admission decisions.


Plan

Deadline

Notified By

Enroll By

Early Decision 1

Nov. 1

Dec. 15

Feb. 15

Early Decision 2

Jan. 3

Feb. 1

Feb. 15

Regular Decision

Jan. 3

April 1

May 1

Early Admission

(for qualified juniors in high school)

Jan. 3

April 1

May 1

Learn more about application plans and deadlines.

We recommend you to indicate a program and/or major preference at the time you apply, since CMU does limit access to certain majors. Primary majors should be declared no later than mid-semester of the last semester of your sophomore year.

Exceptions:

CMU may grant advanced placement and/or credit for designated scores on:

CMU also may grant placement or credit for college work completed during high school.

View more information about placement and/or credit for college-level work.

Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid

2023-2024 Academic Year Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

First-Years Entering Fall 2023

Expenses

Resident

Commuter

Tuition

$62,260

$62,260

Fees

$1,569

$1,569

Room & Dining*

$17,468

$3,534 (estimate)

Books & Misc.

$1,000 (estimate)

$1,000 (estimate)

Travel Allowance**

Variable

$680 (estimate)

Total

$83,697+

$70,443+

The university reserves the right to change its charges without notice.

*The cost for room and dining is an estimate based on a standard double room in university housing, a dining plan contract and the residence hall activity fee. Some students may be housed in triples and quads at lower rate, without a reduction in their eligibility for financial aid.

**These expenses will not appear on your student account. Travel allowance for resident and off-campus students varies based on home state.

+Health insurance coverage is required at an estimated cost of $2,603/year for all students unless a waiver is granted for students covered under their family’s health plan.

Learn more about the cost of attendance and financial aid.

Carnegie Mellon does offer financial aid to undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or DACA recipients. International students must assume the total cost of attendance.

Financial aid forms are required by Feb. 15 for Regular Decision applicants.

The university provides a financial aid decision no later than April 1. Learn more about financial aid at CMU.

Learn more about financial aid at CMU.

Transfer Admission

The Dietrich College admits a small number of transfer students. A fall transfer is possible where space permits, but spring transfer is extremely limited due to space constraints.

Learn more about applying for transfer admission.

You must complete an internal transfer application and meet with the college’s Academic Advisory Center (AAC). The college will evaluate your academic record, current academic standing, areas of interest and the timing of your application.

Acceptance and Enrollment

Review your financial aid package
You will receive your financial aid decision no later than April 1, provided you submitted your forms by the Feb. 15 deadline.

Have questions?
Current students, faculty and/or academic advisors are available to help you.

Confirm your enrollment by May 1
If you choose to attend CMU and applied via Regular Decision or Early Admission, submit your non-refundable enrollment deposit by May 1*

Monitor your e-mail and mailbox
Dietrich College’s Academic Advisory Center and Carnegie Mellon University will send you information about registration, enrollment, insurance, orientation, housing and dining and more throughout the summer.

* This deposit will be credited to your first semester’s charges.