Carnegie Mellon University, also known as CMU, is an elite, private research university in Pennsylvania. It’s one of the most renowned universities in the U.S. and globally. The university is selective, offers excellent education, and hires a diverse and highly qualified faculty.
To conquer the Carnegie Mellon University admissions process, you’ll need the following:
While it was originally founded in 1900, Carnegie Mellon University came to be today when the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research merged to form CMU in 1967.
CMU is known for excellence in education and has seven schools and colleges with various programs to choose from. In fact, it has over 7000+ major/minor combinations. However, it’s most well-known for excellence in performing arts and STEM subjects.
Students can also enjoy CMU’s vast 157.2-acre campus that’s only five miles away from downtown Pittsburgh and can participate in more than 400 student-run organizations. Carnegie Mellon University students also have a bright future ahead of them since 82% of them are employed or in school within six months of graduating.
However, prospective students vying for Carnegie Mellon University admissions should know that the school is extremely selective. For the Class of 2025, the acceptance rate was a low 17.3%. Thus, a high GPA and great testing scores are required to set you apart from other applicants. Keep on reading to learn Carnegie Mellon University admissions requirements and how you can be part of this 17.3%.
Carnegie Mellon University admissions requirements don’t specify a specific GPA, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a hidden standard. The average GPA at Carnegie Mellon University is 3.84. Thus, students are expected to do well in school and be amongst the top students in their year. In addition to getting mostly As, it’s also important to take advanced classes to show off your academic prowess. If your GPA isn’t competitive enough, make sure your SAT and ACT scores make up for this.
Like many other universities, Carnegie Mellon University has recently relaxed its standardized testing requirements. Students applying in Fall 2022 don’t need to submit their SAT and ACT scores. However, we would still suggest doing this extra step since it can highlight your attractiveness as a candidate and improve your application.
Since the average SAT score for CMU is 1510, it’s important to earn a competitive score. You’ll need a score of at least 1510 to impress Carnegie Mellon University admissions officers. However, aim for a score of 1560 to be safe. If your score isn’t high enough, consider SAT tutoring to improve it.
Like the SAT, the ACT is optional for Carnegie Mellon University admissions for Fall 2022. However, submitting a score can significantly improve your chances of being accepted. Since the average ACT score at CMU is 34, ensure that your score is impressive enough. Aim for the 75th percentile, i.e., a score of 35. ACT tutoring can help you achieve this.
To complete the Carnegie Mellon University admissions process, you’ll need the following:
Carnegie Mellon University admissions are complex, but we hope our round-up of the Carnegie Mellon University admissions requirements helped you understand what you need to do. Take advantage of our tutoring services to improve your scores and have a better chance of attending CMU.
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As parents, and grandparents for that matter, we consider it to be a bit of a rite of passage to tell our children just how easy they have it compared to what we went through at their age. File this under the “when I was your age, I had to walk 2 miles to school each day, uphill both ways” category.
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