Carnegie Mellon University

• A resumeRequired

  A resume.

• Applicant background, goals and post-graduation objectivesRequired

  Applicant background, goals and post-graduation objectives (listed among the materials applicants must provide). No prompt text or length on the public pages.

• Undergraduate and graduate transcriptsRequired

  Undergraduate and graduate transcripts of all institutions where you have attended and/or graduated. All materials must be uploaded to the online system before the application deadline; mailed applications or supplemental materials are not accepted.

• Three recommendation letters3 letters

  Two of which should be faculty recommendations.

  Three recommendation letters uploaded by recommenders (two of which should be faculty recommendations).

• GRE General Test (if applicable)Being checkedOptional

  Listed as 'If applicable, GRE General Test scores.' Our GRE codes are 2074 (Institution) and 0705 (Department). The page does not say who it applies to. FAQ: 'If you need to retake your TOEFL, IELTS and/or GRE for this application, we highly recommend you take the exam no later than November 28, 2026.'

• Duolingo English Test, IELTS or TOEFLIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  Duolingo English Test (if unable to test for TOEFL or IELTS): Required if your native language (language spoken from birth) is not English: 'we require a current English proficiency score report.' The application materials list 'If applicable, TOEFL, IELTS test, or Duolingo scores.' 'For all applicants whose native language is not English, we strongly encourage TOEFL or IELTS scores.' 'We do not accept expired scores.' 'All scores must be uploaded and received before the deadline in order to assure an equitable review of your application.' 'If you are not a native English speaker, and despite your best efforts are unable to test for TOEFL or IELTS, we will accept the Duolingo English proficiency test.' Minimum Scores: 'DuoLingo - 135'. FAQ: 'A score of at least 135 overall is desirable.' Subscores given consideration: Literacy 135, Conversation 130, Comprehension 145, Production 113.

  IELTS: Required if your native language (language spoken from birth) is not English: 'we require a current English proficiency score report.' The application materials list 'If applicable, TOEFL, IELTS test, or Duolingo scores.' 'For all applicants whose native language is not English, we strongly encourage TOEFL or IELTS scores.' 'We do not accept expired scores.' 'All scores must be uploaded and received before the deadline in order to assure an equitable review of your application.' Minimum Scores: 'IELTS speaking score - 9' (no overall IELTS minimum is listed).

  TOEFL: Required if your native language (language spoken from birth) is not English: 'we require a current English proficiency score report.' The application materials list 'If applicable, TOEFL, IELTS test, or Duolingo scores.' 'For all applicants whose native language is not English, we strongly encourage TOEFL or IELTS scores.' 'We do not accept expired scores.' 'All scores must be uploaded and received before the deadline in order to assure an equitable review of your application.' TOEFL codes: 2074 (Institution) and 59 (Department). Minimum Scores: 'TOEFL total score - 5'; 'TOEFL Speaking Score - 5.5'.

  Waiver / exemption: 'The English proficiency requirement cannot be waived for any reason.' 'Previous studies at a U.S. high school, college, or university are NOT grounds for a language-test waiver.' 'Additionally, previous studies at a non-U.S. English language instruction high school, college, or university are also NOT grounds for a language-test waiver.'

• PTE Academic not listedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  Not listed: the accepted English tests are TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo ('If applicable, TOEFL, IELTS test, or Duolingo scores'; section 'Test Scores: TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo').

Who can apply

• Familiarity with matrix algebra and/or linear algebraOptional

  Highly encouraged at the time of applying: familiarity with/exposure to matrix algebra and/or linear algebra. Applicants should be familiar with vectors and matrices, matrix multiplication, and inverses.

• Two semesters of calculus-based probability and mathematical statisticsOptional

  Highly encouraged at the time of applying: two semesters of calculus-based probability and mathematical statistics (CMU prerequisite classes are 36-225 and 36-226). Topics should include: random variables, distribution functions, joint and conditional distributions, functions of random variables & their probability distributions; maximum likelihood estimation, properties of estimators, hypothesis testing, interval estimation.

• One course in linear regression analysisOptional

  Highly encouraged at the time of applying: one course in linear regression analysis (a CMU prerequisite course is 36-401). Topics should include: exploratory data analysis, linear regression models, validation and interpretation of models. A good Econometrics course is an acceptable substitute.