Carnegie Mellon: Channel Your Inner Shakespeare AND Your Tech Geek!
Carnegie Mellon is where you can channel your inner Shakespeare and geek out over the latest tech trends—without having to choose between the two. Known for its killer programs in both the arts and the sciences, this place is all about offering students a balanced, well-rounded liberal arts and pre-professional education.
Carnegie Mellon University: Something For Everybody-Technical, Historic, Artsy, Grand
Founded in 1900 by industrialist Andrew Carnegie as a technical school for Pittsburgh’s blue-collar kids, Carnegie Mellon was formed after merging the Carnegie Institute of Technology with the Mellon Institute in 1967. Now sitting pretty on a 152-acre campus in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, the university has a beautiful, Beaux-Arts-style campus designed by Henry Hornbostel, who was a huge fan of open spaces and grand architecture. And if you’re into parks and museums, you’re in luck—the city’s second-largest park and Andrew Carnegie’s namesake museum are just next door.
Carnegie Mellon offers six colleges, each with its own vibe: College of Fine Arts, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Engineering, Mellon College of Science, School of Computer Science, and Tepper School of Business. Plus, there’s Heinz College for grad programs in public policy, management, and info systems. While each school has its own admissions process, they all share the university’s focus on combining liberal arts with professional skills. So, whether you’re diving deep into history, art, or engineering, you’re going to get a taste of something else too.
What are the Top Programs At Carnegie Mellon?
This place is known for its top-notch programs, with some standouts in engineering, computer science, architecture, and drama. If you’re into blending art and technology, check out the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology network, which offers interdisciplinary minors in things like game design, animation, and innovation. You can even tailor your studies with the Science and Humanities Scholars program, which lets undergrads create their own course of study.
What Makes Carnegie Mellon So Challenging to Get Through?
But be warned: Carnegie Mellon is no easy ride. “The courses are super rigorous, and you’re expected to spend a lot of time outside of class,” says one student. The workload can get intense, and while some complain about the stress culture, the university has made moves to help students manage. There’s a “meeting-free” time each day to give you some breathing room, and students love the mindfulness room (complete with therapy dogs!) where they can take a mental break. The campus counseling services also have your back if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Plus, the Academic Development Office is there to help you with tutoring or extra resources.
What Real-World Experiences Are Offered At Carnegie Mellon?
If you’re looking to dive into real-world experience, Carnegie Mellon offers tons of opportunities to build your resume. You can do co-ops, take part in five-year dual-degree programs, or get involved in research. The Career and Professional Development Center is always there to help with job prep, and you can even get grants and fellowships for research projects. Study abroad options are abundant, including a campus in Qatar, though fitting them into your packed schedule can be tricky.
While the school emphasizes a well-rounded education, it’s definitely a campus of specialized niches. There are the theater geeks and the engineering nerds, and students here proudly wear their identities—whether they’re into drama, math, or tech. Despite the differences, though, everyone shares the same drive: they’re all high achievers, aiming for success after graduation.
How Diverse Is Carnegie Mellon?
Speaking of success, Carnegie Mellon’s student body is diverse, with 89% of undergrads coming from outside Pennsylvania, and 22% hailing from other countries. About 30% of students are Asian American, 9% are Hispanic, 4% are African American, and 4% are multiracial. Campus politics are generally liberal, but students aren’t as politically active as you might expect. And while the school is need-blind for admissions, financial aid isn’t the most generous—partly due to a smaller endowment compared to some peers.
What Is Housing Like at Carnegie Mellon Like?
When it comes to living on campus, housing is guaranteed for all undergrads for all four years, and about 58% stick with university housing. First-year students have a choice of several dorms (Stever House is the standout, being the first LEED-certified residence hall in the U.S.), and there are also popular university-owned apartments for upperclassmen. Dining is a little more exciting than the usual college fare, with themed eateries instead of boring buffet lines. Students say the meals are solid, though they’re not exactly the highlight of campus life.
What Is The Social Life Like At Carnegie Mellon?
Now, when it comes to social life, there’s plenty to do on campus and in Pittsburgh. If you’re into Greek life, about 16% of men and 11% of women join fraternities and sororities. But even if that’s not your thing, there’s a ton of late-night events, concerts, and the annual Spring Carnival, which features buggy races, themed booths, and student-run theater performances. Pittsburgh itself has a vibrant arts scene—opera, ballet, symphonies, you name it—and the campus is just 20 minutes from downtown, so you’ve got easy access to everything the city has to offer.
What Are The Athletics Like At Carnegie Mellon?
For sports fans, the Carnegie Mellon Tartans compete in Division III. The Kiltie Band, rocking Scottish kilts, keeps the crowd pumped during home football games, and teams like men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and cross-country are pretty competitive. Plus, there are more than 40 intramural and club sports to keep you busy.
Carnegie Mellon is perfect for those who want a serious education, whether they’re chasing Broadway dreams or the next big tech breakthrough. With tons of opportunities to explore both liberal arts and technical fields, students graduate not just with a degree but with a broad skill set that can take them anywhere. It’s a tough ride, but for those who thrive in a challenging environment, it’s totally worth it.
What Are Carnegie Mellon’s Application Requirements?
If You Apply To Carnegie Mellon, make sure you are aware of Carnegie Mellon’s deadlines. Carnegie Mellon eliminated EDII deadlines this year and now offers only two intake cycles: Carnegie Mellon has Early decision and regular decision. CMU Accepts the Common Application and you should make sure to apply to the specific college or school within the university. For the latest info on standardized test requirements, check out Carnegie Mellon’s website!
Does Carnegie Mellon Require Supplemental Essays?
Carnegie Mellon has several supplemental essays they require students to complete.
Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study?
(300 word maximum)*
Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience?
(300 word maximum)*
Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please).
(300 word maximum)*
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