In 1900, industrialist Andrew Carnegie established Carnegie Mellon University, intending to create a school that would develop cutting-edge students and graduates. Over 120 years later, CMU remains one of the world’s most respected universities and continues to produce influential creative thinkers who are transforming our world. CMU is home to some of today’s brightest minds, from entrepreneurs to innovators.
Carnegie Mellon University is renowned for its computer science program. However, what truly sets the school apart is its world-class education in STEM and creative arts. Its unwavering commitment to delivering an excellent learning experience has it ranked amongst the top 30 universities nationwide.
Boasting 7,365 students and a student-to-faculty ratio smaller than most universities, this community encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to implement solutions for real-world problems.
If you’re looking to transfer to CMU reach out to us here at Transfer Goat to see how we can help you stand out in your application.
Carnegie Mellon University 2023-2024 Transfer Acceptance Rate
Out of 1,507 transfer applicants in the fall of 2023, Carnegie Mellon University accepted 87 individuals, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 5.8% for the 2023-2024 application year.
CMU 2022-2023 Transfer Acceptance Rate
During the 2022-2023 transfer cycle at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), 1,310 individuals submitted applications, and only 96 of them received acceptance offers, resulting in a rigorous transfer acceptance rate of 7.33%.
CMU 2021-2022 Transfer Acceptance Rate
Out of the 1,233 transfer applications Carnegie Mellon received in 2021, only 139 were accepted – an acceptance rate of 11.2%.
To provide a more inclusive picture of this phenomenon, these are the statistics for the past few years:
- 2020 – 8.2%
- 2019 – 6.4%
- 2018 – 7.3%
- 2017 – 6.9%.
As observed, the CMU transfer acceptance rate has been relatively stable over recent cycles
Carnegie Mellon admits a restricted number of transfer students per year. Yet, the 139 transfers accepted in 2021 give an extra confidence boost to potential applicants.
Carnegie Mellon Transfer Supplement Overview
All transfer applicants must submit three essays in response to the following prompts:
- Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 words or fewer)
- Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 words or fewer)
- Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 words or fewer)
Carnegie Mellon Transfer Deadline and Decision Date
Carnegie Mellon provides two transfer opportunities: fall and spring. Fall applicants must submit their application by February 15, while October 15 is the deadline for Spring applicants. Transfer decisions are made by May 15 for fall applications and December 15 for spring applications.
An important note: To apply for the spring semester, prospective transfer students must have completed at least one semester of college before the deadline.
What GPA Do You Need For Carnegie Mellon?
According to Carnegie Mellon, the mean grade point average of all incoming transfers has been 3.75 in recent years.
Carnegie Mellon requires submission of SAT or ACT scores if you have already taken either exam. However, should this not be the case for you, there is no requirement to submit results from these tests.
Why Carnegie Mellon?
Carnegie Mellon University appeals to students from all walks of life. It offers an array of acclaimed and quality programs across the sciences and arts.
Carrying a legacy of success, Carnegie Mellon University has earned its noteworthy prestige by producing outstanding graduates. The university also attracts some of the most remarkable faculty and staff who are considered to be leaders in their respective fields.
At CMU, the student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, providing students access to personalized support and advice from professors during class. In addition, two-thirds of classes have fewer than 20 participants, which allows for an intimate classroom setting that encourages close connections with teachers as well as other learners.
Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University proudly flaunts a 97% freshman retention rate, indicating that almost all freshmen who begin their educational journey at CMU are satisfied.
In a nutshell, opportunities are boundless when you hold a degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Is Carnegie Mellon Need-Blind or Need-Aware for US Transfer Students?
Carnegie Mellon is need-blind for domestic students, meaning that the university does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when making admissions decisions. Students are admitted based on their academic and personal merits, without regard to their ability to pay for their education.
Is Carnegie Mellon Need-Blind or Need-Aware for International Transfer Students?
For international transfer students, Carnegie Mellon is need-aware. This means that the university does consider an applicant’s financial situation when making admissions decisions. Consequently, the ability to pay may influence the admission decision for international applicants. Their website states, “Foreign students applying for aid must understand that such aid is awarded on an extremely limited basis.”
Should You Apply to Carnegie Mellon?
Aspiring applicants who wish to pursue non-STEM programs at Carnegie Mellon can expect comparable admission requirements as those of other universities ranked 20-30. However, for STEM majors, acceptance will be highly challenging and require a remarkable academic record bolstered by extracurricular excellence and an exceptional personal essay. Undoubtedly, entrance into the celebrated computer science program is just below that of HYPSM schools in terms of difficulty.
If you possess impressive academic and extracurricular qualifications, then it’s worth completing a Carnegie Mellon application. However, like most competitive schools in 2022, even the highest achieving students must have an appropriate college list containing target and safety schools to give them their best chance of success. To beat the college admissions process, you need to possess stellar transcripts, have test scores in the top 2 percent, and show strong extracurricular talents or interests that demonstrate your character beyond just school work.