Application Links

All graduate applications must be submitted online. Once you create an account, you'll be able to log in to create, save and edit your application prior to submission.

• Graduate Programs
• Dual Degree Portugal Programs
• MHCI Program

Application Deadlines

Graduate and Dual Degree Portugal Programs

• Early deadline: November 19, 2025 (3 p.m. EST)
• Final deadline: December 10, 2025 (3 p.m. EST)

MHCI Program

• Final and only deadline: January 15, 2026 (3 p.m. EST)

Application Fee

• The application fee is $100 per program.
• The fee is discounted to $80 per program if you apply before the early deadline of November 19, 2025 (3 p.m. EST).
• The early deadline is not applicable to the MSE, MSE-ES, MSE-SS and MHCI programs; the application fee for these programs is $100.
• The fee is payable by credit card; we do not accept cash or checks.
• If the fee presents financial hardship, then you may apply for a financial or participants of program fee waiver, which is available within the application.

GRE Requirements

Each program sets its policy on whether Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required and which test type is accepted. You will find this information in the application and on the program's website. GRE scores will not be accepted if they are more than five years old. Send scores via ETS using our SCS/CMU codes:

• GRE Institution Code: 2074
• GRE Department Code: 0402

If you have taken the GRE more than once, enter the scores from your most recent test. All scores will appear on the official score report for the committee to review.

Timing

If you need to take or retake your GRE for this application, we highly recommend that you take the exam no later than November 26, 2025. Reportable scores can take two weeks to process, and we may not be able to review scores that arrive after our December 10, 2025 deadline.

Evaluation Requirements (if applicable)

If you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and English is not a native language for you ("native language" meaning spoken at home and from birth), then we are required to formally evaluate your English proficiency via one of these standardized tests:

• TOEFL (preferred)
• IELTS
• Duolingo

We do not issue waivers for non-native speakers of English. In particular, we do not issue waivers based on previous study at a U.S. high school, college or university. We also do not issue waivers based on previous study at an English-language high school, college or university outside of the United States. No amount of educational experience in English, regardless of the country it occurred in, will result in a test waiver.

Some of our programs will accept expired test scores from applicants who have recently completed a degree in the United States if the applicant can present a copy of an official score report showing the applicant's picture, not an unofficial score listing. Please consult the information for each specific program you apply to.

If, as described above, you are required to submit proof of English proficiency, your TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo test scores will be considered valid as follows:

• If you have not received a bachelor's degree in the U.S., then you will need to submit an English proficiency score no older than two years. (Test scores taken before September 1, 2023, will not be accepted.)
• If you are currently working on or have received a bachelor's and/or a master's degree in the U.S., then you may submit an expired test score up to five years old. (Test scores taken before September 1, 2020, will not be accepted.) ETS does not hold scores that are over two years old; in this case, you may upload a PDF of your expired score to your application. Be sure that the expired scores meet our requirements.
• If you are applying to MCDS and MHCI, then you are required to submit scores from an English proficiency exam taken within the last two years. Scores taken before September 1, 2023, will not be accepted regardless of whether you have previously studied in the U.S. For more information about their English proficiency score policies, visit the MCDS or MHCI admissions websites.

Timing

If you need to take or retake one of these tests, we highly recommend that you take the exam no later than November 26, 2025. Reportable scores can take two weeks to process, and we may not be able to review scores that arrive after our December 10, 2025 deadline.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

We accept TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition scores. We discourage the use of the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China," since speaking is not scored. A successful applicant will typically have a total iBT score of at least 100. Send scores via ETS using our SCS/CMU codes:

• TOEFL Institution Code: 4256
• TOEFL Department Code: 78

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

We prefer that you take the TOEFL, but we will accept the IELTS. An IELTS score of 7 is equivalent to a TOEFL score of 100. We accept IELTS scores through e-delivery; enter the information below when setting up your scores for delivery:

• Account Name: Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science
• Address:
  School of Computer Science
  5000 Forbes Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  United States

Duolingo

We prefer that you take the TOEFL or IELTS; if this isn't possible, then you may take the Duolingo test. Visit the Duolingo website to see a score comparison. For score delivery:

• Use the same email address as the one you plan to use when applying to a CMU program.
• Send Duolingo scores to "Carnegie Mellon University – Graduate Computer Science Programs."
• Important: Make sure to request that Duolingo includes your subscores.

Transcripts must be uploaded prior to application submission. We do not require hard copies of your transcripts at the time of application; if you are accepted to a program, then you will be given instructions to mail your transcripts at that time.

We do not require you to upload your fall semester grades. If your fall semester grades are not on your transcript by the application deadline, do not worry. They are not needed for the admissions review process, and we will not update your transcripts after you receive them. Since fall grades are not required, we recommend uploading your transcripts as early as possible.

You will be asked to submit your current resume. It should outline your education, research experience, work experience, publications, scholarships awarded, prizes and honors received, society memberships and any other extracurricular activities.

Each program has specific requirements for the Statement of Purpose, detailed on the application. Generally: 

• You should prepare a concise one- or two-page essay that describes your research interests, related experiences and objectives in pursuing a graduate degree at Carnegie Mellon.
• Your essay should be specific. Explain why your research interests are important areas of study and why you are particularly well-suited to pursue them.
• You should describe any relevant education, research, commercial, government or teaching experience.

Our review committees value applicants who display persistence and resilience in the face of challenge and adversity, demonstrate a commitment to ethics, show concern for others and for their community, and/or exhibit leadership in one or more endeavors.

We recommend that you use AI tools only in a limited fashion. They are great for correcting grammar and spelling; they are terrible for expressing your own interests and experiences. Remember that you are solely responsible for 100% of what is submitted in your application. Please consider carefully how you use these tools as the use of them may impact your ability to be admitted.

You are required to submit three letters of recommendation. The application allows you to submit up to five; no more than five will be accepted. Letters of recommendation will be requested and submitted electronically.

Selecting your recommenders

• Recommenders should know you relatively well and be able to evaluate the quality of your previous work. At least two letters should be from faculty or recent employers.
• The admissions committee wants to know about your ability to do independent research, so you should select letter writers who can speak best to this point.
• Professors who interacted with you extensively in smaller classes are also a good choice.
• Employers are sometimes appropriate, but letters that are simply character references will not provide good support for your application.

Timing

• If you submit your application early, your recommenders still have until the final deadline to submit their letters.
• If the application deadline is approaching, and one or more letters of recommendation are still pending, do not wait to submit to submit your application. We prefer that your recommenders meet the deadline, but it is okay if the letters arrive a few days late.

Some of our programs request a "live" video essay or pre-recorded digital porfolio.

• For the video essay, you will record a 1- to 3-minute live video of yourself answering a random question we provide. This recording is done within the application system.
• For the digital portfolio, you will upload or provide a URL link to a 1- to 3-minute prerecorded video of yourself responding to a specific question or set of questions the program will provide. This recording will be done outside of the application system.

If I applied last year and was not admitted, can I reapply this year?

Yes. However, you must complete a new application and upload all application materials again.

I am in a five-year program and will be awarded a master's degree. Do I enter this in the Undergraduate or Graduate section?

This information should be entered twice, once as an undergraduate degree and once as a graduate degree.

What should I enter in the "Class Rank" and "Class Size" fields?

Class rank is a "numerical representation of a student's academic standing within their graduating class, based on GPA compared to their classmates." Enter as a numerical value.

Class size refers to the number of students in your graduating class. Enter as a numerical value.

Remember that these are optional fields, and you should feel free to leave them blank if you do not have this information or if you do not wish to share it.

Are there additional financial aid forms to complete?

No.

Will I be considered for financial support if I am admitted to a master's program?

No. Master's programs generally do not offer financial aid.

Will I be considered for financial support if I am admitted into a Ph.D. program?

Yes. Ph.D. students will receive financial support (tuition, fees, monthly stipend) from a variety of sources, including CMU research assistantships, outside fellowships and government grants (e.g., NSF or other government institutions). Students are encouraged to apply for outside funding and fellowships; research assistantships are available for students without their own funding.

Is it possible to work on a master's degree part time?

Most of our programs require that you be here full time.

Can I transfer into a master's program from another college or university?

No. You may not simply transfer to a program.

Once I begin a master's program in SCS, is it possible to change to another program?

It may be possible to transfer from one program to another after your first year of enrollment, subject to the transfer policy adopted for each program.

Can I contact faculty members directly?

You are free to contact professors with specific questions about their research. You can find email addresses for anyone in the School of Computer Science using our directory. You can also refer to our list of program leadership.

Is it possible to work on a Ph.D. part time?

Most of our programs require that you be here full time.

Can I apply for a Ph.D. program with only an undergraduate degree?

Yes. You do not need a master's degree to apply to a Ph.D. program.

Can I transfer into a Ph.D. program from another college or university?

No. You may not simply transfer to a program. You must submit an application and be accepted into the program.

Once I begin a Ph.D. program in SCS, is it possible to change to another program?

It may be possible to transfer from one program to another after your first year of enrollment, subject to the transfer policy adopted for each program.

Can I contact faculty members directly?

You are free to contact professors with specific questions about their research. You can find email addresses for anyone in the School of Computer Science using our directory. You can also refer to our list of program leadership.