What is Carnegie Mellon University Known For?
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is best known for its computer science program. That said, it’s the rare school that is both a top-notch technical school and a leader in the arts. Both mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. (whom the movie A Beautiful Mind is about) and artist Andy Warhol are CMU grads. All of this adds up to a school that consistently ranks among the nation’s top universities. Keep reading to learn about what makes CMU special and how to improve your chances of acceptance. Location: Pittsburgh, PA Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,824 Acceptance Rate: 12% Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1560 Middle 50% ACT: 34-35 Acceptance at Carnegie Mellon for non-STEM majors is comparable to other top 20-30 colleges; however, STEM majors will find entrance exceedingly competitive across academics, extracurriculars, and three short essays. For STEM majors, admission to Carnegie Mellon is just a degree of difficulty behind gaining entrance to the HYPSM schools, Columbia, and UPenn. This is especially true for Computer Science majors. The College of Engineering is also highly selective. Andrew Carnegie, the founder of Carnegie Mellon, was known for many things, including his motto: my heart is in the work. Students today still live by that maxim and are expected to meet exceptionally high academic standards, perform rigorous research, and strive to achieve their dreams and goals—whether it’s developing technological innovation, bringing about a societal change, or creating a ground-breaking piece of art. Carnegie Mellon is divided into seven undergraduate schools: CMU is famous for its School of Computer Science—it’s ranked sixth on CollegeVine’s list of best colleges for computer science. The founder of the programming language Java received both an M.A. and a Ph.D. from CMU’s School of Computer Science. It’s the collection of talented, innovative young minds at CMU that has led companies like Google, Intel, Uber, and GE to locate operations in Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering is another notable program—it’s ranked eighth on our list of best colleges for engineering. Engineering is also the most popular major at CMU, with about 22% of students enrolled in an engineering program. It’s not just STEM fields that Carnegie Mellon is known for, though. The Hollywood Reporter ranked CMU fourth on its list of The Best 25 College Drama Programs Around the World. Alumni and current and former faculty have amassed an impressive 10 Academy Awards, 44 Tony Awards, and 116 Emmy Awards. Notable CMU grads include Ted Danson, Ethan Hawke, and Holly Hunter. Carnegie Mellon fields 19 varsity athletic teams that compete in the Division III University Athletic Association. The CMU Tartans have had particular success on the soccer pitch—between 2001 and 2005, the men’s soccer team won five consecutive UAA championships, and claimed two more in recent years (2009 and 2012). The women’s soccer team also won back-to-back UAA championships in 20014 and 2015. Both intramural and club sports are extremely popular on campus, offering something for every type of athlete. Popular intramural sports include common sports, like soccer and flag football, along with some oddities such as inner-tube water polo and dodgeball. There are 23 club sports at CMU, including ultimate frisbee, rugby, and crew. Greek life is also popular on Carnegie Mellon’s campus and a hub for social activities. More than 16 different fraternities and sororities call CMU home and Greek organizations have had a presence since 1900. A little under 14% of undergraduates participate in Greek life. [amp-cta id="9459"] CMU founder Andrew Carnegie’s Scottish heritage is woven into campus culture from the school’s Tartan sports teams to its mascot, Scotty the Scottish terrier, to its traditions. Carnegie Mellon is one of just two schools in the U.S. to offer a 4-year degree in the art of Bagpipe Performance, and it is common to hear the sound of pipes playing on campus. The Kiltie Band, or “Band Without Pants,” is a little less serious (no audition is required) and has been a feature on campus for over a century. Painting “the Fence” is a long-standing tradition at Carnegie Mellon. CMU lore has it that in the 1920s, a fraternity painted the fence to promote a party and a tradition was born. The original wooden fence was in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s most painted object” before it collapsed in 1993. Today, a steel-concrete fence stands in its place. Spring Carnival is Carnegie Mellon’s longest-running—and one of its most beloved—traditions and includes everyone from students to alumni to faculty to staff. This three-day event is also when some of the most popular events of the year occur, such as Buggy, Booth, and a performance by Kiltie. CMU is a residential college and believes a lived experience is part of a well-rounded education. All incoming first-year students are required to live on campus and, in an average year, about half of undergraduates call CMU’s campus home. There are a number of themed housing options; some are invite-only (academic-based), others follow a selection process, while others are open to anyone. CMU also offers gender-inclusive housing. Carnegie Mellon practices need-blind admissions, meaning they do not take a student’s ability to pay for their education into consideration when making admissions decisions. CMU meets 100% of the demonstrated need of domestic undergraduate students. Students from families earning less than $75,000 per year can attend CMU tuition-free. Those from families earning less than $100,000 annually qualify for a financial aid package that requires no loans. Carnegie Mellon’s Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) is one of the more interesting resources available to students. The semester-long program is run by the university’s Institute for Politics and Strategy, but is open to all undergraduates regardless of their field of study. Participants spend roughly 24 hours per week interning in a sector or field of interest while also taking courses three or four afternoons/evenings a week and earning 48 units for the semester. Although not officially affiliated with CMU, the Carnegie Museum of Art is within walking distance of its campus and CMU students enjoy free admission. The museum is considered the first contemporary art museum in the country; it started collecting the “old masters of tomorrow” in 1896. Pittsburgh, home of Carnegie Mellon University, is a quietly great city. It’s home to signature professional sports teams like the Steelers (football), Penguins (hockey), and Pirates (baseball), while also rich in cultural opportunities—the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Andy Warhol Museum all call the city home. The website WalletHub ranks Pittsburgh tenth on its list of Best Big Cities to Start a Career in. College graduates are excited to hear that LinkedIn named Pittsburgh seventh on its list of the top 15 U.S. cities to launch your career. One thing worth noting for students with an interest in attending CMU is that winters are rough, especially if you’re coming from a location with a mild climate. CMU is known for its highly competitive admissions. STEM applicants often face the toughest competition, closely followed by the School of Drama. Entry into any CMU program requires an exceptional college profile. If you’re curious about your chances of getting into Carnegie Mellon, CollegeVine can help. Our free chancing engine can estimate your odds of acceptance at CMU and roughly 1,600 other schools, using data like your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and demographics. It will also highlight areas with room for improvement to increase your odds of getting into your dream school.
What’s Covered:
Overview of Carnegie Mellon Admissions
Unique Aspects of Carnegie Mellon
Academics
Extracurriculars
Traditions
Dorms
Financial Aid
Resources
Location
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at Carnegie Mellon University?
