Spring 2025 Applications Open Now - Due August 30
How To Apply
All deadlines are 11:59 p.m. ET on the dates below. Please note that deadlines for upcoming admissions cycles are tentative and subject to change.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2025 - Opens October 1, 2024
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024
Final Deadline: January 15, 2025
Online Application
Spring 2025 - Now Open
Final Deadline: August 30, 2024
Admissions Criteria
The Information Networking Institute's master's degree programs provide robust, interdisciplinary experience and unique flexibility to build depth and breadth from coursework and research opportunities across four of Carnegie Mellon University's top-ranked colleges.
Minimum Recommended Qualifications:
- An undergraduate degree.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale).
Successful applicants to the INI also typically have:
- A technical background or academic exposure that supports advanced study in their area of interest.
- Strong quantitative, analytical and programming skills.
- Effective communication and other interpersonal skills needed for success at the INI and beyond.
International Student Requirement
Applicants from countries where English is not the native language are required to provide current scores from the Test of English Language as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Duolingo English Test.
We do not offer waivers and do not make exceptions for countries where English is the official but not native language, or for non-native speakers studying in universities where English is the medium of instruction. Applicants from countries where English is not the native language who do not include current scores cannot be considered for admission.
Components of Your Application
1. Online Application
You will create an account and have unlimited access to perfect your application until you are ready to submit.
- Non-refundable application fee
- The preferred method of payment is by credit card to finalize submission of the online application
- Application Fee: $75
2. Transcripts
You will be asked to share list all post-secondary/higher education institutions you have attended. You will also need to upload an unofficial transcript for each college or university you have included, regardless of the length of attendance and whether or not you have or will obtain a degree.
The INI does not request or require physical copies of your transcripts for the application — materials are only accepted through the online form. If admitted and enrolled, you will receive a formal request for your official academic records.
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
The letters should be from faculty and/or recent employers who know you well and can speak to your technical abilities and quality of work. Letters may be submitted by your recommender(s) following the submission of your online application.
4. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores -
We do not request or require GRE General Test scores and will not review them during the admissions process for Spring or Fall 2025.
5. Proof of English Proficiency (if applicable)
If you are an applicant whose native language is not English, Proof of English Language Proficiency is required. Students may submit one of the following: TOEFL (including At Home and Best Score tests), IELTS or Duolingo English Test that is current and can be reported officially through the testing website. Expired reports are not accepted.
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 UniversityCollege 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.
6. Skills & Competencies, Short Essays
These questions are designed to allow you to expand on details of your academic and professional history, skills and competencies you have developed in coding and programming, courses you have completed in university, certificate or online programs relevant to your INI program(s) of interest, as well as extracurricular activities, leadership experience, areas of interest and other academic and professional experience.
7. Employment History and Resume
You will be asked to share any industry experience, relevant internships and/or research experience, in addition to uploading a recent resume of no more than 2 pages.
8. Financial Support
You will be asked if you wish to be considered for financial support. Answering "Yes" to this question and completing the Request for Funding Form in your application portal will enable us to consider you for funding. (Please note that your answer will have no impact on your admissions decision.)
The INI offers students a variety of awards and funding assistance, ranging from partial to full tuition, with the majority of students receiving partial tuition rewards. In general, students admitted to the program are responsible for the bulk of their tuition. We encourage students to also explore other funding opportunities outside of the INI.
We recommend U.S. citizens to submit the FAFSA.
9. Video Essay
All applicants are required to submit a 3-minute video response to a random question. This feature allows students to supplement their written essays and permits the admissions committee to “meet” them in a new way. A 60-second preparation time is included before the recording starts. Prepared statements aren’t recommended.
Admissions Policies
Applicant's Responsibility
Follow the Application Instructions: In order to successfully complete your application, please follow the instructions and adhere to the deadlines. All requested/required application documents including unofficial transcripts, ESL test scores, recommendations, essay/area of interest questions, etc., must be submitted online. An application may be “Incomplete” if the required documents are not provided by the posted deadlines or in the manner requested in the instructions.
Check Your Application Status: Applicants have access to their Status Page throughout the admissions and enrollment period and may check the status of their online application at any time. Applicants will receive emails when updates are posted by INI staff and faculty. Application status updates cannot be provided by request.
Application Documents
Any documents, including transcripts, or any other materials sent directly to the INI by the applicant without a specific request from the admissions staff will not be considered as part of your application. If additional information is required, the applicant will be notified.
The admissions staff makes every effort to assist applicants in completing their submission; however, the INI does not accept responsibility for documents that are missing or are improperly submitted resulting in an application remaining incomplete and un-reviewed.
All materials submitted become property of the INI.
ESL reports must be reported through the relevant testing organization website:
- EST TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/get-scores.html
- IELTS: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/results
- Duolingo English Test: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/institutions
(Carnegie Mellon university - College of Engineering – Graduate)
Confidentiality of Communications
All information provided to students as a result of their application, including subsequent correspondence, is considered confidential and should not be communicated to other applicants. Please note that applicants are expected to comply with the confidentiality requirement as a condition of admission.
Deferral Policy
We typically do not allow admission deferrals. Each year, applicants are reviewed and ranked with the current applicant pool. Students are accepted for admission into the program for a particular academic year and may not defer admission or enrollment.
Accelerated Master's for CMU Undergraduates
Highly qualified Carnegie Mellon undergraduate students are eligible to add a fifth year to a customized undergraduate curriculum that culminates in a master's degree.
Am I eligible to apply? The INI Accelerated Master's is available only to qualifying CMU undergraduates. All other applicants must go through the regular admissions process.
Statement of Assurance
Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state or local laws or executive orders.
Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance with this statement should be directed to the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-7125.
Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University by calling 412-268-2000.
Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report describing the university’s security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault and fire safety policies, and containing statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus, and the number and cause of fires in campus residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can obtain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire safety report also is available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports.
Information regarding the application of Title IX, including to admission and employment decisions, the sexual misconduct grievance procedures and process, including how to file a report or a complaint of sex discrimination, how to file a report of sexual harassment, and how the university responds to such reports is available at www.cmu.edu/title-ix. The Title IX coordinator may be reached at 5000 Forbes Ave., 140 Cyert Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; 412-268-7125; or tix@cmu.edu.
For more information regarding the statement of assurance please visit www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/statement-of-assurance.html