Carnegie Mellon University

Overview

CMU's campus is in the Oakland neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, next to the University of Pittsburgh. It is organized into colleges with distinct admission reviews, including the School of Computer Science, the College of Engineering, the Mellon College of Science, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Tepper School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary programs such as BXA combine the arts with another college. Your first choice of college shapes how your application is read.

How to apply

CMU states that it uses the Common Application exclusively.

Early Decision is binding and is not available for the School of Drama, BXA Design programs or the School of Music. CMU advises College of Fine Arts applicants to submit early so they can book auditions or portfolio reviews.

Testing rules by college

CMU's testing page, updated in October 2026, sets different rules for different colleges:

• Griffin School of Computer Science: requires an SAT or ACT score (CMU accepts SAT superscores but not ACT superscores).
• Engineering, Dietrich, Heinz Information Systems, Mellon College of Science and Tepper: described as "test flexible", which CMU defines as requiring students to submit test scores to complete the application.
• College of Fine Arts: test optional, with portfolios or auditions required.

Read the testing page for exactly which scores count as meeting the test-flexible rule before you register for exams.

Costs and English proficiency for international students

CMU's international applicants page states that Carnegie Mellon does not offer financial aid to international students, and that you and your family must plan to pay the total cost of attendance. Canadians apply as international students, so a CMU application only makes sense if the full cost is manageable. The aid commitment on CMU's main admission page applies to domestic students.

If English is not your native language, CMU requires proficiency scores no more than two years old, with published minimums such as 7.5 on IELTS, 102 on TOEFL iBT taken before January 21, 2026 (or 5 on tests taken on or after that date), 135 on Duolingo and 191 on Cambridge English. CMU also recommends, but does not require, an InitialView or Vericant interview for non-native speakers.

Preparing as a Canadian student

If you are aiming at computer science, show what you have built or explored, not only course grades. Our intro computer science deck and linear algebra deck cover early university material. Fine Arts applicants should plan portfolio or audition preparation from Grade 11. For an overview of US costs, aid and visas, see the StudyBrix United States guide.