Especially for International Students
Thank you for considering Carnegie Mellon! We know that traveling abroad for school is sometimes a difficult adjustment and we want to make the process as smooth as possible for you as an international student. We hope that you'll join the ranks of Carnegie Mellon students that have gone on to change the world.
Enhancing diversity at Carnegie Mellon is one of the top priorities of the university. It is included as a major focus in the university's strategic plan. Consequently, President Jared Cohon's Statement on Diversity reflects this importance to the institution and its continued vitality and growth.
The international population is an important component of Carnegie Mellon's diversity initiative. Approximately 14 percent of Carnegie Mellon's graduate and undergraduate student body can be categorized as such. This suggests the importance that Carnegie Mellon places on welcoming those with different backgrounds and perspectives into the learning community. We welcome your application for admission.
Carnegie Mellon defines an international applicant as someone who is a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than the United States, and who will be studying in the United States on a temporary visa. If you fall within this category, you should follow the guidelines for an international student.
For international students, the application procedure and timetables are essentially the same as for candidates applying from schools in the United States. In addition, Carnegie Mellon asks you to submit a preliminary application, which is discussed below.
› Our Site, Your Perspective
› Tips For Getting Started
› Pre-Application Materials
› Important Dates
› Admission Decisions
› Required Testing
› International Transfer Students
› Costs, Payment and Financial Aid
› Resources for International Students
Our Site, Your Perspective
Below we've highlighted pages on our site that we don't think you should miss as an international student. Take a look around and discover Carnegie Mellon from your perspective. A link to this page is located at the bottom of every page in the site so you can return here easily.
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Tips For Getting Started
Here are some tips to get you started:
- In order to help make the process of applying for admission as simple as possible, the Office of Admission urges you to pay particular attention to the web pages that discuss requirements and procedures for admission for both international freshman and international transfer applicants.
- It is very important that the name used in your application and test scores is identical to the name as listed in your passport. This will eliminate any confusion in the processing of your application.
- Keep all mailing and e-mail addresses current and consistent with the admissions office's records.
- Documents sent together should not be bound together or enclosed in multiple individual envelopes. Make sure all supporting credentials and test scores are labeled with the same name and address. Make copies of your application to keep for your records.
- Copies must be translated into English and verified by a counselor or school official to be true copies of the original.
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Pre-Application Materials
All international students wishing to apply to Carnegie Mellon must complete the preliminary application before their application for admission will be accepted. Because Carnegie Mellon does not offer financial aid to international students, we use this form to verify each student's ability to pay for a Carnegie Mellon education.
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Important Dates
Deadlines are the same for international students as those posted for regular, early, transfer and spring admission. However, we do recommend submitting the preliminary application as soon as possible.
Carnegie Mellon does account for the time that overseas mail can take, and we'll accept applications and supporting materials postmarked by the appropriate deadline. However, it is in your best interest to ensure that materials arrive in a timely matter to avoid a delay in the review of your application.
| Application Plan |
Application Deadline |
Admission Notification |
Early Decision INon-College of Fine Arts applicants; does include Architecture applicants |
November 1, 2009 |
December 15, 2009 |
Early Decision ICollege of Fine Arts applicants; does not include Architecture applicants |
November 1, 2009
(Early Decision is not
available for Acting, Directing, Music Theatre, Composition, Flute, Piano,
Voice, BHA/BSA/BCSA.) |
December 15, 2009 |
Early Decision II |
December 1, 2009
(not available for CFA or BHA/BSA/BCSA) |
January 15, 2010 |
Regular Decision |
January 1, 2010
(December 1, 2010 for CFA) |
No later than April 15, 2010 |
Early AdmissionJuniors only |
January 1, 2010
(December 1, 2010 for CFA) |
No later than April 15, 2010 |
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Admission Decisions
To be considered for admission to Carnegie Mellon, you must submit official secondary school transcripts and official standardized test scores. If the secondary school transcript is written in a language other than English, it should be accompanied by an official translation and verified by a counselor or school official to be true copies of the original. The same holds for supporting documents such as required letters of recommendation. If you are preparing for the International Baccalaureate or the General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level examinations, please send your expected exam results. In addition, we'll ask you to submit an essay and information about your extracurricular activities. (See our application for admission for more details.)
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Required Testing
American colleges and universities use standardized tests as one part of the evaluation of applicants for admission. We realize that international students may be at some disadvantage in parts of these tests. We keep that in mind while reviewing your application.
To be considered for admission as a freshman, you must take the following tests: SAT Reasoning Test or ACT (with Writing component), two SAT Subject Tests (as outlined in our application materials) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Please note that we do not accept GCE "O" level examinations for placement.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) should be taken if your native language is not English. Carnegie Mellon requires TOEFL scores of 250 or better on the CBT TOEFL, 600 or better on the pencil and paper TOEFL, 100 or better on the internet-based TOEFL or an IELTS score of 7 and above. Please arrange to have these scores sent no later than January 1st.
To be certain that Carnegie Mellon receives your test scores, please make sure that the name you use for test registration is identical to your name as it is listed in your passport and in your admissions application. Scores must be sent directly to Carnegie Mellon from the testing center.
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International Transfer Students
If you are currently attending a university or have attended one in the past, and you are interested in transferring to Carnegie Mellon, you must submit the following: TOEFL or IELTS score; high school transcript; college transcript(s), including copies of all course descriptions; scores of standardized tests taken for admission to college; and a completed Carnegie Mellon application for admission. Upon admission to Carnegie Mellon, we will let you know where you stand academically and whether or not will get credit for the classes you have already taken.
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Costs, Payment and Financial Aid
If you are an international student who plans to enroll at the university, you and your family must assume the total cost of a Carnegie Mellon education. Financial aid is not available to undergraduate international students. Undergraduate international students are also not eligible to participate in monthly payment plans. Additionally, international students are not eligible for application fee waivers. The comprehensive cost for 2009-10 is $55,660. The breakdown is as follows:
| Cost of 2009-10 Academic Year |
| Expense |
Resident |
| Tuition |
$40,300 |
| Fees |
$620 |
| Room and Board |
$10,340 |
| Books and Supplies (Est.) |
$1,000 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous (Est.) |
$1,400 |
| Health Insurance |
$2,000 |
| Transportation (Est.) |
variable |
| Total |
$55,660 |
If you are applying for financial aid as an eligible non-United States citizen (permanent resident), you will need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the processors indicated on those forms. (Follow the instructions that apply to U.S. citizens.) You also must send acceptable proof of United States permanent residence: a photocopy of form I-551 or your Alien Registration Receipt Card ("green card"), or a photocopy of the passport page indicating approval of application of I-551.
Students who have applied for financial aid and are in the process of applying for United States permanent-resident status must submit acceptable documentation of permanent residence to Carnegie Mellon's Office of Admission by your admission acceptance deposit date to be considered for aid for the fall semester of the same year. Documentation should include a copy of both sides of your Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551), or a copy of your passport or departure record (I-94), with appropriate endorsements, to verify your status.
Matriculating international students must submit a completed Certification of Finances form and supporting documents that indicate his or her family or sponsor will have sufficient funds to cover tuition, room and board, and living expenses at Carnegie Mellon. This form and the required supporting documents need to be submitted only after a student has been admitted to Carnegie Mellon University and has chosen to matriculate.
Make your financial arrangements with Carnegie Mellon by July 1. University and United States officials who issue your visa require certification of your ability to meet financial obligations. You will want to obtain several original copies of this proof of funding in order to be able to present them as needed to different officials. If you're offered admission, you must pay the enrollment deposit of $800 before you can receive a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) to secure your entry visa.
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Resources for International Students
Office of International Education
www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/
Carnegie Mellon's Office of International Education helps international students with their social and academic transition to the U.S. and Carnegie Mellon, and informs them of their immigration rights and responsibilities. In addition to other programs, the office organizes a mandatory orientation program for international students, which begins one day prior to the first-year student orientation.
EducationUSA
www.educationusa.state.gov
For more information about studying in the United States, you may want to consult EducationUSA. According to their Web site, EducationUSA centers offer "accurate, comprehensive, objective and timely information about educational opportunities in the United States and guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access those opportunities."
International Student Handbook
store.collegeboard.com/product_detail.asp?item=007166
Download a copy online or to order a copy of The International Student Handbook you may contact:
College Board Publications
Dept. CBO
P.O. Box 869010
Plano TX 75074 USA
Fax number: 888 321-7183 or 212 713-8265
Intercultural Communication Center
www.cmu.edu/icc
The Intercultural Communication Center is a language support service designed to help nonnative English speakers (international students as well as students who attended high school in the U.S.) succeed at Carnegie Mellon. The center offers non-credit classes, workshops and individual appointments such as one-on-one help with academic writing assignments through their Writing Clinic.
College Board International Education Office
The College Board's International Education office provides support for people interested in issues related to accessing U.S. higher education from other countries. Contact:
International Education
1233 20th St. NW
Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20036
Email: Internatl@collegeboard.org
International Education Site
www.intstudy.com/articles/usaapply.htm
The International Education Site provides a host of information regarding university studies in the United States of America.
Educational Testing Services
www.ets.org
Educational Testing Services provides resources for international students, tips for parents and resources to aid in the college selection process.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
www.ets.org/toefl
The TOEFL Web site provides practice materials to prepare for the exam, registration access for the TOEFL exam and resources for international students.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
www.ielts.org
The International English Language Testing System provides information regarding the structure of IELTS tests, locations for international testing centers and access to the IELTS application form and testing dates.
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