Within the online application, you will be asked to submit a combination of biographical, parent/guardian, and academic information. In addition, you will select up to three programs for application consideration in order of preference. Although second and third choice programs are not required, they are highly recommended.

Keep in mind that the order of your program preferences matter in our review process. Your first choice program preference should be labeled as such. All students will be initially considered for their first choice program preference. Applicants will only be admitted to one program.

Please note that as individual programs reach their enrollment and waitlist capacity, they will no longer be available as a program choice. Please apply as early as possible for your best chance at securing a spot in your first, second, or third choice programs.

Additionally, your application will not be considered complete until we receive your Letter(s) of Recommendation. We cannot review your application until these letters have been received by our office. Please plan ahead and request your recommendation letter(s) through our online application process in time for us to receive them by the application deadline.

Once your application is submitted, you will receive email correspondence on how to access your applicant portal.  Please check your applicant portal regularly for updates or additional information requested.

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to be considered for Computer Science Scholars, Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS), or AI4All @ Carnegie Mellon, you must select the program as your first choice. These three programs are not offered as second and third choice options.

Letter(s) of Recommendation

Your application will not be considered complete until we receive your Letter(s) of Recommendation. We cannot review your application until these letters have been received by our office.

To request your Letter(s) of Recommendation within our online application, you will be required to enter your recommender's email address. Once this is entered, an email will be automatically sent to the recommender. They will be directed to an online portal where they will complete the recommendation form and submit their letter of recommendation.

In general, recommendation letters should be submitted by a counselor or teacher who can speak to your readiness to attend a pre-college program that includes college-level work, independent living, and cooperation in group situations.

It is important that you plan ahead and request your recommendation letter(s) through our online application process in time for us to receive them by the application deadline.

Unofficial Transcript

Your most recent Unofficial Transcript must be submitted with your online application. Transcripts must include your name and all grades and courses you have completed. Official transcripts (submitted via sealed envelope or directly from the school) are NOT required for our application.

Standardized Test Scores (optional)

Standardized tests scores are NOT required for application. However, you are welcome to submit your test scores if you feel they will strengthen your application submission. Please note that these test scores will be only one part of our holistic review process.

If you choose to submit your Standardized Tests Scores, please upload the test score report of your most recent PSAT, SAT, PreACT or ACT.

Essay Requirements

Essay requirements vary by program. Please reference the Academic Program pages for more information. Essay prompts will be listed.

Responses to the essay prompts should be uploaded through the online application in a PDF or Word format.

Supplemental Materials (if applicable)

Depending on your program(s) of interest, supplemental materials (such as a video audition or images of your unique work) may be required to complete your application. Please reference the Academic Program pages for more information.

We highly encourage students to participate in our residential program as it provides a more comprehensive college-life experience. However, you can still greatly benefit from our commuter programs.

To be eligible as a commuter student, the student and parent/guardian must have a permanent residence within approximately 30 miles of campus or within Allegheny County. Exceptions to this requirement will NOT be considered.

Please find complete information on application and enrollment processes for International students here.

English Proficiency Requirements

If your native language is not English, we require a TOEFL score of 102 or better on the iBT (internet-based test) or iBT Home Edition, an IELTS score of 7.5 or above, or a Duolingo English Test (DET) overall score of 125 or above. Please arrange to have these scores uploaded with your application materials. Your official TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores reports are required. Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs' TOEFL code is C534.

If you are an international student who has attended a high school within the United States for a minimum of one year and plan to return to that high school after participation in our Pre-College Programs, you are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/DET requirement. Your unofficial transcripts must clearly show your attendance at a high school in the United States for the one-year minimum.

Application Fee

A $50 application fee (non-refundable) is required to submit your application. There is an exception to this requirement for our no cost Pre-College programs (AI4All @ Carnegie Mellon, Computer Science Scholars, and Summer Academy for Math and Science).

AI4All @ Carnegie Mellon, Computer Science Scholars, and Summer Academy for Math and Science Applicants:

If you are applying to one of our no cost programs, you will be required to submit documentation demonstrating financial need. Examples of financial need are:

• Students who have received or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
• Students who are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch program (FRPL).
• Students whose family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
• Students who are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
• Students whose family receives public assistance.
• Students who live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or are homeless.
• Students who are a ward of the state or an orphan.
• Students who can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

Through the application process, you will need to submit the household’s most recent tax documents or a signed NACAC Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver form to serve as verification of the financial situation of the household. This documentation is required in order to complete your application and receive an application fee waiver.

Further information on program costs and financial aid is provided here. Please contact Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs at precollege@andrew.cmu.edu with any questions.

Enrollment Deposit and Enrollment Reply Form (if admitted)

Admitted students* will have 10 days to submit the $800 non-refundable enrollment deposit and the Enrollment Reply Form to secure their spot in the program.

Admitted students receiving scholarships* will have 10 days to submit the $100 enrollment deposit and the Enrollment Reply Form to secure their spot in the program.

Students admitted to the Summer Academy for Math and Science will have 10 days to submit the $100 enrollment deposit and the Enrollment Reply Form to secure their spot in the program.

Student admitted to AI4All @ Carnegie Mellon or Computer Science Scholars are not required to pay an enrollment deposit. To secure their spot in the program, their Enrollment Reply Form must be received within 10 days of admittance. 

*Applies to students admitted to: Art, Architecture, Computational Biology, Design, Drama, National High School Game Academy, Summer Session, and Writing & Culture

Further information on program costs and financial aid is provided here.

Vaccine and testing documentation is not required for application submission, however, you will need to provide documentation of your vaccination status/testing during the enrollment process. Related to COVID-19: Base-level vaccination is required (i.e. 2 shots Moderna/Pfizer or 1 shot J&J). Booster shots are only required if a sufficient amount of time has passed since the student’s underlying vaccination (eligibility to receive a booster shot is according to CDC guidelines). All documentation will be reviewed and verified.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• a copy of your official vaccination document
• a signed declaration of exemption due to religious or health reasons

CMU accepts all World Health Organization (WHO)-authorized vaccines, in addition to the FDA-authorized vaccines in the U.S.

Students participating in Carnegie Mellon University’s Pre-College programs will be expected to abide by the university’s COVID-19 mitigation protocol in place at the time of programming. This is to safeguard the students, staff, faculty, and community.