Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University publishes an acceptance rate of 12% and is test-flexible for the 2026-27 cycle.
Testing
Test-Flexible for 2026-27
- Policy
Policy varies by college, not a single blanket rule: School of Computer Science REQUIRES an SAT/ACT score; College of Engineering, Dietrich College, Heinz College (Info Systems), Mellon College of Science, and Tepper are 'test flexible' — applicants must submit some standardized evidence (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, A-Level, or French Bac); College of Fine Arts is test-optional (portfolio/audition instead). No future change announced.
- SAT middle 50%
- 1500–1570sum of section 25th–75th percentiles
- ACT middle 50%
- 34–35
- Average HS GPA
- 3.89Fall 2024 first-year class (CDS 2025-2026) · Source
Applying
Deadlines, essays and AI policy
- Early deadlines
- Nov 2, 2026 (ED)
- Regular decision
- Jan 4, 2027Source
- Supplemental essays
- 3 required
3 required essays (~300 words each): why-this-major/area of study, how you'll define a successful college experience, and anything else essential to who you are. Essay count sourced from a non-.edu aggregator (Ivy Coach) — not independently re-verified against CMU's own essay-prompt page, so double-check before publishing.
- AI use in essays
Limited Use Allowed — applies to Supplemental essays and application materials generally (answer to FAQ: "Am I allowed to use ChatGPT or other AI tools to structure my supplemental essay and improve language?")
“Carnegie Mellon wants to know applicants as individuals, and submitting genuine, authentic application materials can make a significant difference. AI should never replace your unique voice, experiences and personal expression and, if used at all, should only serve as a supplementary tool to enhance your writing (i.e., grammar and spelling checks, suggested structural or vocabulary improvements). Additionally, if the generated content closely resembles published work, there may be a risk of unintentional plagiarism. Carefully consider any and all risks when using generative AI for any part of your application.”
Full cycle calendar: Application Deadlines.
At a glance
Size and cost
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 7,304
- Tuition (out-of-state)
- $66,246
- Category
- Elite Private
- Admissions site
- www.cmu.edu
Dewey Smart
Dewey students who got into Carnegie Mellon University
Mentors who got into Carnegie Mellon University
Our mentors who go to Carnegie Mellon University, or just graduated from it.
What should this school mean for your list?
A published rate is one input. Working out what it means alongside the rest of your list is the part that actually changes an application. Free 25-minute call, no commitment.
Sources
- Carnegie Mellon University test policy (2026-27)
- Carnegie Mellon University deadlines
- Carnegie Mellon University GPA (Fall 2024 first-year class (CDS 2025-2026))
- Carnegie Mellon University AI-use policy
- Carnegie Mellon University admissions pages
- Carnegie Mellon University admissions pages
- Acceptance rate, test-score percentiles, enrollment and tuition: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, pulled 2026-08-19.
Test policy and deadlines last verified 2026-08-17.
Is this school right for your student?
Talk through Carnegie Mellon University with an advisor.
Tell us about your student and we'll tell you whether Carnegie Mellon University is a reach, a target or a likely, and what would change that.
Book my free consult
