Admissions

Undergraduate application instructions

Please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission to learn about the undergraduate admission requirements. 

Graduate application instructions

Deadlines

Most applications are due by the following dates:

• Spring admission: August 31
• Fall admission: December 15

GRE test

For the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 Admission cycles, the GRE requirement will be optional. Applicants who do not submit a GRE score report as part of their application package will be considered equally for admission along with those who do submit scores. The department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is committed to a holistic approach to admission. Apart from English language proficiency, no single grade, factor, score or activity guarantees or disqualifies any candidate’s admission to the department. We treat every applicant as an individual, taking care to make our admission decisions fairly, thoroughly and in context. We're interested in students who can succeed and thrive within the ECE Department, contributing to the Carnegie Mellon Community through their unique backgrounds.

English Language proficiency test

All international and United States permanent resident applicants must take an English Language proficiency exam. This is required as a component in determining academic success in the program and to support visa applications for admitted students studying on an F1 visa. The scores must be received by the application deadline for the semester in which students are applying. An English Language proficiency test is not required if the applicant will have graduated from a U.S. university by the time of enrollment, or if the applicant is a CMU student or alum. It is also not required for United Kingdom or Canadian applicants. The following forms of English language proficiency assessments are accepted:

Duolingo English Test - A minimum overall score of 105 is required, with minimum sub-scores of Literacy-105, Comprehension-115, Production-70, Conversation-95.

TOEFL Exam - A minimum overall score of 84 is required, with minimum sub-scores of IBT-R 22, IBT-L 22, IBT-S 18, and IBT-W 22 are required. These requirements must be met from a single test date - we currently do not accept TOEFL MyBest scores. 

IELTS Exam - A minimum overall score of 7 on the IELTS is required, with minimum sub-scores of Reading-6.5, Listening-6.5, Speaking-6, and Writing-6.

Financial aid

Financial aid is awarded upon admission in the form of research assistantships based upon departmental resources and available openings. If available, financial aid is awarded for both the fall and spring semesters. There is not a special financial aid form.

Virtually all graduate students in the research intensive Ph.D. program receive financial aid, in the form of fellowships, that cover tuition, fees, and reasonable living expenses for the entire year. Thus, students can concentrate on course work and research without financial concerns or interruptions. All applicants are considered for financial aid. No special form is required. All full-time students in the Ph.D. program engage in research under faculty guidance.

Students in the Professional M.S. program are ineligible to receive departmental fellowships that cover tuition and living expenses. Students in this course-intensive program are primarily self-supported, but may be eligible to receive partial financial support in the form of hourly wages to support the teaching and research missions of the department. Students in the Professional M.S. program must complete at least two academic semesters before they may be admitted into the Ph.D. program. Only students in the Ph.D. program can be considered for departmental financial support in the form of tuition and stipend.

Application fee

Please note that a non-refundable application fee of $75 is required of all applicants and only those applications received with the fee will be processed. Applications received without the fee will not be processed and the application fee cannot be waived.

Questions?

Please see the FAQ.

Statement of Assurance

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state or local laws or executive orders.

Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance with this statement should be directed to the university ombudsman, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-1018.

Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University by calling 412-268-2000.

Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report describing the university’s security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault and fire safety policies, and containing statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus, and the number and cause of fires in campus residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can obtain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire safety report also is available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports.

Information regarding the application of Title IX, including to admission and employment decisions, the sexual misconduct grievance procedures and process, including how to file a report or a complaint of sex discrimination, how to file a report of sexual harassment, and how the university responds to such reports is available at www.cmu.edu/title-ix. The Title IX coordinator may be reached at 5000 Forbes Ave., 140 Cyert Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; 412-268-7125; or tix@cmu.edu.

For more information regarding the statement of assurance please visit www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/statement-of-assurance.html.