Admission
We're so glad you're considering Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Programs!
> Here, you will find yourself immersed in academic and extra-curricular opportunities that will prepare you for the college application and higher education experience.
> Here, you will find others like you who are ready to challenge themselves and move themselves forward.
> Here, you will find Game Changers, Risk Takers and Trailblazers.
Important Admission Requirements:
Age: Students must be 16 years of age by June 26, 2027 to participate in Pre-College Programs.
Grade: You must be in high school between 10th and 11th grade or between 11th and 12th grade during the summer of 2027. When filling out the application, you should be in 10th or 11th grade.
Application Process
Basic Application Process: The standard application process for all students not applying for a scholarship spot or one of the three Fully Funded & Merit-Based (FFMB) programs. This process runs on rolling admission, where the decision will be released to the student the day it is made. The deadline for applying using this process is March 1, 2027.
Scholarship Application Process: Every program aside from the three FFMB programs offer a very limited number of scholarship opportunities that are only available to students demonstrating financial need. All scholarship decisions will be released on April 1, 2027. The deadline for applying using this process is February 1, 2027.
Fully Funded & Merit-Based (FFMB) Application Process: AI Scholars, CS Scholars, and the Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) are fully funded & merit based programs that are offered at no cost to the student. Spots in these programs are limited and all decisions will be released on April 1, 2027. The deadline for applying for these programs is February 1, 2027.
Application Deadlines
Basic Application: March 1, 2027
Scholarship Application: February 1, 2027
Fully Funded & Merit-Based Programs Application: February 1, 2027
Basic Application
- Application deadline: March 1, 2027
- Decision sent on: Rolling basis
- Accept any offers of admittance by: 7 days after decision release
- $75 application fee applies.
- All deadlines at 11:59PM EST on the indicated day.
- Decisions are released on rolling basis through April 2027, typically within 15 working days of completed application submission.
- Programs can reach capacity, so submitting early is recommended.
Scholarship Application
- Application deadline: February 1, 2027
- Decision sent on: April 1, 2027
- Accept any offers of admittance within 7 days of decision release
- All deadlines at 11:59PM EST on the indicated day.
- Only U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents are eligible for scholarships.
- Demonstration of financial need is required for scholarships.
- This is a fixed decision release. We do not release scholarship decisions on a rolling basis.
Fully Funded & Merit-Based Programs Application
- Application deadline: February 1, 2027
- Decision sent on: April 1, 2027
- Accept any offers of admittance by 7 days after decision release
Please note:
- Applications with AI Scholars, CS Scholars, or the Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) as a first choice program will follow the timeline listed above regardless of any second choice program.
- If AI Scholars, CS Scholars, or SAMS is your first choice program and your second choice program is non-scholarship, please be aware that your decision will still be released on April 1. This has the potential of impacting program availability of your second choice program.
- All deadlines at 11:59PM EST on the indicated day.
- Only U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents are eligible for AI Scholars, CS Scholars, and SAMS.
- This is a fixed decision release. We do not release decisions on a rolling basis.
International Application
- Application deadline: March 1, 2027
- Decision sent on: Rolling basis
- Accept any offers of admittance by: 7 days after decision release
- $75 application fee applies.
- All deadlines at 11:59PM EST on the indicated day.
- International students applying after February 1 must have transcripts indicating that they are currently attending a high school WITHIN the U.S for a minimum of one year. They must also be returning to a high school in the U.S. the following school year.
- An international student is defined as a student without U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency. See our International Applicants page for details.
- International students are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
Pre-College 2027 Application FAQs
Online Application and Program Choice
Within the online application, you will be asked to submit a combination of biographical, parent/guardian, and academic information. In addition, you may select up to two programs for application consideration listed in order of preference. You are not required to select a second program.
If you are selecting two programs, please be mindful that there is a First Choice and a Second Choice. The program selected as your First Choice will take priority in the review process. Your Second Choice program will only be considered if we are unable to offer admission (or a waitlist opportunity) for your First Choice program. If you are admitted or waitlisted to your first choice program, you will not be considered for your subsequent choice. 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.
Your application will not be considered complete until we receive your Letter(s) of Recommendation. Please plan ahead and request your recommendation letter(s) through our online application process in time for us to receive them by the appropriate application deadline.
Once your application is submitted, you will receive email correspondence on how to access your applicant portal.
Application Materials
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 uploaded into our online application.
Our Letter(s) of Recommendation process is entirely online. 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 guidance counselor, teacher, or other authoritative figure who can speak to your readiness not just to handle college-level work, but also to attend a pre-college program that includes 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 appropriate application deadline.
Unofficial Transcript
Your most recent unofficial transcript must be submitted with your online application. Transcripts must include your name and all high school grades and courses you have completed. Official transcripts (submitted via sealed envelope or directly from the school) are NOT required for this application.
Standardized Test Scores
Required for Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) only. Standardized tests scores are optional for all other programs. However, you are welcome to submit your test scores if you feel they will strengthen your application.
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 near the bottom of the program's page.
Responses to the essay prompts should be uploaded through the online application in a PDF or Word format.
Supplemental Materials
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 specific application requirements.
Scholarships and Financial Documentation
Financial documentation is required when applying for scholarship consideration or to AI Scholars (AIS), CS Scholars (CSS), and/or Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS).
AIS, CSS, and SAMS have a holistic review where financial need is one of many factors considered. Scholarships, however, require the demonstration of financial need. Examples of financial need are (non-exclusive):
- 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 high school principal, high school counselor, financial aid officer, community advisor/leader or other official who can attest to the student's circumstances.
As verification/documentation of the financial status of the household, you will be asked to submit the household’s most recent Tax Form 1040(s) or a signed NACAC Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver form. This documentation will be required in order to complete your application for scholarship consideration or to AIS, CSS, and/or SAMS.
Only U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents are eligible for scholarship consideration or for participation in AIS, CSS, and SAMS.
Further information on program costs and scholarships is provided here. Please contact Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs at precollege@andrew.cmu.edu with any questions.
International Applicants
Please find complete information on application and enrollment processes for international students here.
English Proficiency Requirements
If your native language is not English, official results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or its online equivalent (IELTS Online), the Duolingo English Test (DET), or the Cambridge English Assessment are required. Scores must be no more than two years old at the time of application. See below for the minimum scores required for each exam.
IELTS: 7.5 overall band score (either paper-based or computer-delivered format)
TOEFL iBT or iBT Home Edition: 102 overall score.
TOEFL Essentials: 11 overall band score.
Duolingo English Test: 135 overall score.
Cambridge English Assessment: 191 overall score.
International students currently studying in the U.S.
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 Pre-College Programs, you are exempt from the English proficiency requirement. Your unofficial transcripts must clearly show your attendance at a high school in the United States for the one-year minimum.
Commuter Applicants
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 their parent/legal guardian must have a permanent residence within approximately 30 miles of campus. Exceptions to this requirement will NOT be considered.
Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit
Application Fee
A $75 application fee (non-refundable) is required to submit your application. This application fee is waived for applicants requesting scholarship consideration or if they are applying to AI Scholars, CS Scholars, and/or Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) as their only program selection.
Please note that if you select a program without scholarship consideration for either of your two program choices, the $75 application fee will be required.
Enrollment Deposit and Enrollment Reply Form (if admitted)
Admitted students will have 7 days from decision release 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 7 days from decision release to submit the $100 enrollment deposit and the Enrollment Reply Form to secure their spot in the program. These funds will be available for student use on campus through their CMU ID Card during the duration of the program.
Students admitted to AI Scholars, CS Scholars, or Summer Academy for Math and Science are not required to pay an enrollment deposit. To secure their spot in the program, their Enrollment Reply Form must be received within 7 days of decision release.
Music Part-Time Commuter students are exempt from any enrollment deposit.
Further information on program costs and scholarship is provided here.
Vaccination Information
Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Programs abide by all University protocol currently in place.
Pre-College students will need to complete immunization records (including Meningococcal, MMR, TB testing, and Varicella) as well as medical forms during the enrollment process. This paperwork is required for Pre-College participation. All documentation will be reviewed and verified.
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended, but is not a requirement.