How to Apply…

Please make applications through the School of Computer Science admissions process. The application deadline, mailing address, and fees are the same as for other SCS PhD Programs. All application deadlines will appear on the application website.

Items that will be required to apply:

1. Prepare a Statement of Purpose to upload

Part I. Elaborate your professional resume with a description of how your industrial or commercial experience prepares you for this PhD program. For example, outline the parts of the software life cycle with which you have experience or exposure.

Part II. State your objective in pursuing a PhD and why you are applying to Carnegie Mellon.

Part III. Describe your background fields related to your objective. List here any relevant industrial or commercial experience.

Part IV. Include any additional information you wish to supply to the admissions committee.

2. Current resume

Include a summary of research experience and a list of publications. Include copies of any publications (in English only) that you may have.

3. Upload your official transcripts

Also mail to us. Have official transcripts submitted directly to us from all undergraduate or graduate training.

4. Submit names of three recommenders.

Recommendations should be completed by people who know you and your work.

5. Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Have your scores sent to SCS (institution code 2074; deptartment code 0402). Applications will not be processed without current GRE scores. Be sure to report your scores informally, on the application, as well as through the Educational Testing Service. To ensure that the GRE scores reach us in time, the GRE must be taken by December. Please refer to the GRE testing schedule to determine test dates. No application will be considered complete until we have received these scores. GRE scores will not be accepted if more than five years old.

6. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Have the scores sent directly to SCS (institution Code 4256, department code 78). Scores should also be reported informally on the application. All students whose native language is not English must take this examination. Please note we prefer the TOEFL, but will also accept the IELTS. A successful applicant will normally have a total iBT score of at least 100 with no sub-score less than 25.  Applicants may be admitted with slightly lower scores in exceptional circumstances.

7. Mail Transcripts to:

Martha Clarke, Admissions Coordinator
School of Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3891
USA

8. Application Fee

Early deadline, December 1: If you submit your application by December 1, the application fee is $75 for one program and $50 for each additional program. At 12:01am EST on December 2 the application fee increases to $100 for one program and $75 for each additional program. The early deadline does not imply an early decision. You may pay the fee by credit card. The credit card payment system is part of the online application, and instructions are given when you submit your application.

If you do not want to pay by credit card with the online application, you may pay by a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to Carnegie Mellon University. DO NOT SEND CASH. We expect all applicants to pay the application fee. If unable to pay the fee, US applicants are required to submit a letter from their financial aid office: non -US applications may send a statement requesting a fee waiver and giving specific reasons for the request.