Frequently Asked Questions

In the online application you will be given the option of choosing a first-choice program and a second -choice program. Applicants should only submit one application that indicates a first preference and second preference.

During application review the admissions committee will assess your qualifications for both program choices. If you are deemed unqualified for your first-choice program, admission to your second choice will be considered. If you are considered unqualified for both of your selections, you still may be considered for another INI program you are deemed most qualified to enter.

The INI does not use a "formula" to rank applicants for acceptance. The list of requirements provided on the "How to Apply" page indicates the minimum recommended qualifications for admission consideration to any INI program. Further, in depth evaluation is undertaken during review of all completed/submitted applications in the chosen term of entry.

Yes, the INI does accept applications for spring semester admissions. Please visit our "How to Apply" page for more information.

The Information Networking Institute only administers the MSIN, MSIS, MSAIE-IS, MSIT-IS and MSMITE programs. 

For information on ECE graduate and doctoral programs, please contact ECE at apps@ece.cmu.edu.

Students may submit their application by either the priority or final deadline. For an application to be considered submitted, the online portion must be submitted (which includes personal data, short answer questions, video and essay questions) as well as the payment. Supplemental materials (resume, test scores, letters of recommendations and transcripts) may be submitted after the deadline and/or after submission; however, it is important to note that applications cannot be reviewed until they are complete.  If they remain incomplete more than 2 weeks after the final deadline, it is most likely that they will not be reviewed.

If you are applying online, you must pay your application fee online with a credit card. 

All international and United States permanent resident applicants must take an English Language Proficiency (ELP) exam.

The ELP requirement is waived for both native and non-native English speakers who have completed all four-years of an in-residence undergraduate degree program within the United States. It is also waived for applicants who hold citizenship from the United Kingdom or Canadian, provided their native language is English.

The ELP test is used to help assess academic readiness for graduate studies conducted in English and to support the F-1 visa process.

Accepted tests include:

• iBT TOEFL (including At Home and Best Score versions)
• IELTS Academic (including At Home version)
• Duolingo English Test

Test results must:

• Be no older than two years from the date of test submission
• Be submitted electronically via the official testing service’s website
• Not be expired or submitted as physical copies

Reported ELP test results are verified by the application system. If your scores are not verified by the application deadline, please reach out to ini@cmu.edu.

Duolingo English Test: Select "CMU – College of Engineering"

IELTS reports: We only accept electronic scores. Include the Test Report Form (TRF) number in your application so scores can be verified. Select the following address through IELTS to submit your results to CMU College of Engineering (use of this address does not send a physical report):

Carnegie Mellon University
College of Engineering
431 Hamerschlag Drive
Ansys Hall Suite 250
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

TOEFL: Use ETS Institute Code #2074 for Carnegie Mellon (Pittsburgh campus only) A Department code is not required for score verification.

We do not request or require GRE General Test scores and will not review them during the admissions process for Spring or Fall 2025.

Students at the INI have the opportunity to get involved with the activities of other departments by assisting in courses as teaching assistants or working with faculty on research projects. These assignments typically offer compensation that is determined by the offering department. In addition, students with an interest in cybersecurity may have the opportunity to work on research projects through institutions, such as CyLab or CERT, that may also offer additional compensation.

Please note that the INI itself does not typically assist students in finding campus opportunities and will, on rare occasion, offer an RA position. TA appointments are determined by individual faculty members teaching those classes. INI students are allowed to apply for RA and TA positions, or any other student job on campus, while they are students at the INI. Students usually learn of many opportunities upon their arrival to campus in the first fall semester.

All applicants are required to upload legible copies of "unofficial" transcripts and, if graduated, degree certificate in their application. All transcripts uploaded to your application are considered "Unofficial". Admitted students who accept enrollment will be provided formal instructions for how to submit official academic records.

This information is for internal INI use and is not tied to processing of the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20/DS-2019) which is managed by the Office of International Education (OIE), therefore; financial documents should not be uploaded or sent to the INI office.

Tuition for INI programs is set in the spring by the College of Engineering. Please see the tuition page for fees assessed for the current class.

Most graduates entering the program receive some assistance in the form of a tuition scholarship.

The amount of the assistance, if any, is determined by the admissions committee during the funding round which follows posting of admissions decisions. In general, students admitted to the program are responsible for the bulk of their tuition.

U.S. citizens admitted to our security programs have several unique full scholarship opportunities funded by the U.S. government under the Scholarship for Service program and the Department of War Cyber Scholarship Program.

Read More About Financial Assistance

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