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Application Plans

Carnegie Mellon has a variety of admission plans to chose from. Read the descriptions below and see which plan is right for you. (Please note that the SAT Reasoning, ACT with Writing and SAT Subject Tests should be taken during your junior or senior year.)

> Early Decision Plans
> Regular Decision Plan
> Early Admission Plan
> External Transfer Admission

Early Decision Plans

This plan is ideal for students for whom Carnegie Mellon is their first choice and is designed to notify you of our admission decision early in your senior year (by mid-January). There are two Early Decision plans offered at Carnegie Mellon — Early Decision I and Early Decision II. The differences and requirements are explained below.

Early Decision I Early Decision II
Application
Deadline
November 1
December 1
Ineligible
Programs
 School of Drama
School of Music
   Vocal performance
   Flute
BHA/BSA applicants 		School of Architecture
School of Art
School of Design
School of Drama
School of Music
BHA/BSA applicants

Under either Early Decision plan, all of the following apply:

  1. If you're admitted to Carnegie Mellon, we expect you to enroll
  2. Not available to School of Drama, School of Music vocal or flute performance applicants (although you may audition in November) or BHA/BSA
  3. Not for students who want to compare financial aid offers from other institutions
  4. Carnegie Mellon will meet the full demonstrated need with a combination of grants, loans, and work-study as calculated by the university for all students admitted under early decision. However, we do not guarantee to meet full need for students who are deferred or denied admission under EarlyDecision and later admitted under Regular Decision
  5. Three decisions can be given: admit, deny or defer to Regular Decision
  6. Apply to only one college within the university
  7. Not for applicants under the age of 17

If you apply Early Decision, we encourage you to submit applications to other schools. However, you must agree to withdraw these applications when notified of early decision acceptance and financial aid granted at Carnegie Mellon.

Regular Decision Plan

This is the most common plan used by students who apply to Carnegie Mellon. Regular Decision applications are due January 1 (December 1 for College of Fine Arts applicants). You will be notified officially of our admission decision by mid-April. To apply to Carnegie Mellon through this plan, you must do the following:

  1. Arrange to have a campus visit (this step is recommended, not required) that includes a group information session or an interview with a member of the Admission staff by November 16, 2007 or an alumni interview by February 1, 2008, if possible.
  2. Include all forms and credentials with your application that are available (official high school transcripts, SAT Reasoning test or ACT with Writing test results, SAT Subject Test results).
  3. Post a $600 deposit by May 1, 2008 if you are offered admission and wish to enroll.

Early Admission Plan

The Early Admission Plan provides the opportunity for highly qualified high school juniors to apply early to Carnegie Mellon. It is ideal for mature, responsible juniors who've exhausted the courses offered at their high schools.

A high school diploma is not required at time of application, though we do encourage you to make arrangements to receive either a diploma from your high school upon successful completion of your freshman year, or a General Education Diploma (GED) through your home State Board of Education.

Applicants under the age of 17 must contact the Dean of Student Affairs Office to discuss housing, services and resources available.

External Transfer Admission

Each year, Carnegie Mellon admits a very small number of transfer students where space permits. The policy for transferring into Carnegie Mellon varies from college to college. For further details, please refer to the Applying as a Transfer Student section of the Application Booklet.

Spring Transfer Fall Transfer
Application
Deadline
November 1, 2007
March 1, 2008
Admission Notification Deadlines
December 15, 2007 or soon after No later than June 2008
(April 15, 2008 for CFA)