Carnegie Mellon University

• Resume / CVRequired

  Your current resume, outlining your education, research experience, work experience, publications, scholarships awarded, prizes and honors received, society memberships and any other extracurricular activities.

• Statement of PurposeRequired

  Statement of Purpose. Each program has specific requirements for the Statement of Purpose, detailed on the application.

• Unofficial transcriptsRequired

  Transcripts must be uploaded prior to application submission. Hard copies are not required at the time of application; if accepted, you will be given instructions to mail your transcripts. Fall semester grades are not required.

• Three letters of recommendation3 letters

  Recommenders should know you relatively well and be able to evaluate the quality of your previous work. At least two letters should be from faculty or recent employers; letters that are simply character references will not provide good support.

  You are required to submit three letters of recommendation. The application allows up to five; no more than five will be accepted. Letters are requested and submitted electronically; recommenders have until the final deadline.

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

  Duolingo English Test: Required if you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa and English is not a native language for you (spoken at home and from birth). One of: TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo. Scores no older than two years (taken before September 1, 2024, not accepted); if you are working on or have received a U.S. bachelor's and/or master's degree, an expired score up to five years old (not before September 1, 2021) may be uploaded as a PDF. No minimum stated. TOEFL or IELTS preferred; Duolingo accepted if that isn't possible. Request that Duolingo includes your subscores.

  IELTS: Required if you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa and English is not a native language for you (spoken at home and from birth). One of: TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo. Scores no older than two years (taken before September 1, 2024, not accepted); if you are working on or have received a U.S. bachelor's and/or master's degree, an expired score up to five years old (not before September 1, 2021) may be uploaded as a PDF. No minimum stated. TOEFL is preferred, but IELTS is accepted (by e-delivery).

  TOEFL (preferred): Required if you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa and English is not a native language for you (spoken at home and from birth). One of: TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo. Scores no older than two years (taken before September 1, 2024, not accepted); if you are working on or have received a U.S. bachelor's and/or master's degree, an expired score up to five years old (not before September 1, 2021) may be uploaded as a PDF. No minimum stated. TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition accepted; TOEFL ITP Plus for China discouraged since speaking is not scored. Institution Code 4256; Department Code 78.

  Waiver / exemption: No waivers: 'We do not issue waivers for non-native speakers of English.' Previous study at a U.S. or English-language high school, college or university outside the U.S. does not qualify.

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

  Not listed: the accepted English tests are TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo.

Who can apply

• Strong computer science background and good programming skillsRequired

  Incoming students must have a strong background in computer science, including a solid understanding of complexity theory and good programming skills. An undergraduate degree in computer science is not required.

• Matrix algebra and multivariate calculusRequired

  The first-year courses assume matrix algebra and multivariate calculus (a good background in mathematics).

• At least one year of college-level probability and statisticsRequired

  The first-year courses assume at least one year of college-level probability and statistics.

• School guidance · Recommended: about 2 pagesYou should prepare a concise one- or two-page essay that describes your research interests, related experiences and objectives in pursuing a graduate degree at Carnegie Mellon. Your essay should be specific. Explain why your research interests are important areas of study and why you are particularly well-suited to pursue them. You should describe any relevant education, research, commercial, government or teaching experience.

  You should prepare a concise one- or two-page essay that describes your research interests, related experiences and objectives in pursuing a graduate degree at Carnegie Mellon. Your essay should be specific. Explain why your research interests are important areas of study and why you are particularly well-suited to pursue them. You should describe any relevant education, research, commercial, government or teaching experience.

  The program's actual essay question is inside the application.