Carnegie Mellon University
Top tech university in Pittsburgh, PA known for CS and engineering. Founded in 1900 by industrialist Andrew Carnegie and merged with the Mellon Institute in 1967, the School of Computer Science at CMU is consistently ranked among the best in the world. What sets it apart is the deliberate overlap between that program and the College of Fine Arts: interdisciplinary options like the BXA program let students combine a science or engineering degree with fine arts, drama, or design. Famous for blending technology with the arts rather than treating them as separate worlds.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on Carnegie Mellon's official admissions site before applying.
📊 What SAT/ACT Scores Do Admitted Students Have?
The middle 50% of Carnegie Mellon's admitted students scored within these ranges:
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (25th–75th percentile of admitted students). Get your own personalized chance estimate →
🎲 Will You Get Into Carnegie Mellon?
This estimate compares the test score you enter against Carnegie Mellon's real published middle-50% band (1500–1570 SAT, 34–35 ACT) and its 11.0% acceptance rate to produce a Safety, Target, or Reach label. It intentionally does not use GPA — no institution publishes real per-school GPA distribution data, so we don't invent one.
A SAT score of 1540 falls within Carnegie Mellon's middle-50% range of 1500–1570 (SAT 1500–1570), making Carnegie Mellon a target school.
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📝 Required Supplements
- Common App or Coalition
- CMU Supplement
- School Report
- Teacher Evaluation
✍️ What Should Your Carnegie Mellon Essay Focus On?
- Show passion for your intended major with specific projects
- Demonstrate interdisciplinary interests
- Be specific about why CMU for your field
- Show you understand the work-hard culture
🎯 What Is Carnegie Mellon Looking For in Applicants?
- Academic excellence in the intended field, since the School of Computer Science is highly selective on its own
- Specific, demonstrated passion and experience, not just strong grades in a relevant subject
- A clear fit with the chosen school, especially for students combining programs across computer science and fine arts
- The ability to thrive in a demanding, technically intense environment
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