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Carnegie Mellon Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts & Advice

August 7, 2024

When applying to a school like Carnegie Mellon that only accepts 11% of applicants, it’s important to keep in mind that the other 89% of applicants will ultimately be denied admission. Many of these rejected individuals will have straight A’s in high school and/or SATs in the 1500s. Those applying to certain programs—computer science, for example—will face even more harrowing odds. We don’t bring up this harsh reality in an attempt to crush your dreams or deter you from applying. Rather, we want to impart to prospective CMU applicants the need to maximize every component of your application. The aim is to ultimately shine just a touch brighter than your well-qualified competition. This includes the Carnegie Mellon supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Carnegie Mellon University? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Carnegie Mellon: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

The three 300-word essays required by Carnegie Mellon give applicants the chance they need to separate themselves from the throngs of other extremely talented and deserving CMU hopefuls. Below are CMU’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.

Carnegie Mellon Supplemental Essays – #1

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).

Here, CMU is asking you to share your story of how you became interested in your selected discipline. You can structure the narrative of this essay as a soup-to-nuts chronicle of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest. Contrarily, you could share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc. As you begin the prewriting phase, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your first strong memory relating to your future area of study?
• What fills you with wonder?
• What books have you read on the subject?
• Do you consume podcasts or documentaries related to your passions?
• Have certain online or print publications helped to fuel your interests?
• What subtopics of your prospective discipline most intrigue you?
• Did a teacher excite you about this topic or was it a parent/relative or outside mentor?
• How did you seek our subject-relevant opportunities outside of the high school classroom?

CMU Supplemental Essays – #2

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).

There’s a lot to unpack in this prompt before you even enter the brainstorming phase of the essay-writing process. First, they want to know a bit about your goals, which could be:

• Degree-oriented
• Career-focused
• A combination of two or all three of the previous options.

Given that CMU requires you to apply to a particular college within the larger university, you likely already have a reasonably strong notion of what discipline you hope to study. You’ll definitely want to share everything you already know about the degree you aim to earn. Additionally, you’ll want to discuss how that fits into your larger life plans.

Next, you’ll want to take note of the fact that “learning” is mentioned twice in this prompt, a solid indicator that CMU is sincerely interested in how you will take advantage of the unique learning opportunities available to you at their instruction. While not required, you should consider discussing items such as:

• CMU-specific academic programs , professors, or course offerings.
• Undergraduate research opportunities .
• Study abroad programs .
• The classroom environment at Carnegie Mellon— class size , laboratory settings, etc.
• Campus organizations that will help you continue your learning outside of the classroom.

In short, generic thoughts about how you envision engaging in the learning process throughout your collegiate experience are perfectly fine, but school-specific detail can take an essay from good to great.

CMU Supplemental Essays – #3

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).

After completing your main Common App essay and the first two CMU essays, is there anything that you have yet to share that is absolutely elemental to who you are as a person/student? Without the benefit of an in-person interview, it may feel like you never fully had a chance to connect intimately with a Carnegie Mellon admissions officer. You have a burning sense that you have not communicated the full you, your true essence, your je ne sais quoi, your…you get the idea. If you feel something important about yourself has yet to be communicated elsewhere in the application, then CMU Prompt #3 is the answer to your prayers.

Consider that the admissions reader is already familiar with your academic history, activities, and awards. What don’t they know, or, what could they understand on a deeper level? This could be a particular skill or talent, or something about your character or personality. This one is intentionally open-ended, so use this space to share your most cherished accomplishments or most winning attributes. The university itself is inviting you to “brag” here. We recommend obliging, by presenting the equivalent of a “closing argument” at the end of this admissions trial.

One example of what not to do would be to say, “I work as a camp counselor in the summer” if that was already listed in the Activities section. Another no-no is deciding that the admonition regarding linking to websites doesn’t apply to you, because, well…they simply have to see your art exhibit or performance on stage in Oklahoma! last year. We promise that it is better to take CMU at their word that they prefer that you describe it. This remains true no matter what “it” is.

How important are the Carnegie Mellon supplemental essays?

CMU rates the essays as being an “important” factor in their evaluation process. The essays are listed alongside recommendations, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, and first-generation status. The only factors ranked above the essays as being “very important” are: GPA, the rigor of high school coursework, class rank, extracurricular activities, work experience, and volunteer work.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Carnegie Mellon supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing-related resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

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Learn With Us - Admission & FAQs

Applications for Fall 2025 will open on September 4, 2024. The School of Computer Science has a centralized online application process for graduate admissions. Additional information may be found on the  SCS Master's Admissions page .

Application Deadlines for Fall 2025

Applications open on September 4, 2024

Early deadline - November 20, 2024 (3pm EST)

Final deadline - December 11, 2024 (3pm EST)

Requirements The School of Computer Science requires the following for all applications:

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher (Students should report raw university GPA scores and NOT converted scores.   Please DO NOT convert your international score to a US GPA or weighted GPA or other system).
• GRE scores: GRE is required. These must be less than five years old. A GRE subject test in science, engineering, computer science, math, etc. is recommended but not required. Our Institution Code is 2074; Department Code is 0402. 
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores: 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), we are required to formally evaluate your English proficiency. We require applicants who will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and for whom English is not a native language, to demonstrate English proficiency via one of these standardized tests: TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo.  We discourage the use of the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China," since speaking is not scored. 

            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 which country it occurred in, will result in a test waiver. Submit valid, recent scores: 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., you will need to submit an English proficiency score no older than two years. (scores from exams taken before Sept. 1, 2021, will not be accepted.)

            I f you are currently working on or have received a bachelor's and/or a master's degree in the U.S., you may submit an expired test score up to five years old. (scores from exams taken before Sept. 1, 2018, will not be accepted.)Additional details about English proficiency requirements are provided              on the FAQ page.  Successful applicants will have a minimum TOEFL score of 100. Our Institution Code is 4256; the Department Code is 78.

• Official transcripts from each university you have attended, regardless of whether you received your degree there.
• Current resume.
• Statement of Purpose. A statement of Purpose is not a resume. It should discuss your reasons for choosing the MIIS program and indicate your intended career path.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A short (1-3 minute) video of yourself. There will be a prompt question that you will respond to. You will have three attempts.

Hard copies of transcripts, test scores, etc. are not required at the time of application . You will be asked to provide these if you are admitted to the program.

No incomplete applications will be eligible for consideration.

For specific application/admissions questions, please contact Brianna Eriksen.

Frequently Asked Questions

• I think that I may want a career in research, or that I may want to pursue a PhD later. Will the MIIS degree help me achieve those goals? The MIIS degree is a practice-oriented professional degree designed for students who want to quickly obtain an MS degree prior to beginning or resuming a career in industry or government. If you know that you want a career in research, the LTI's MLT and PhD degree programs may be better choices. However, if you select the MIIS degree now and later decide to pursue a career in research, you will find that the MIIS degree offers a very solid foundation from which to begin a research career. The classroom preparation is very similar.
• What are the admission criteria for this program? Like many MS degree programs at CMU, the MIIS program is very selective. Our focus is on the quality of our students and the quality of educational experience. All of our students have strong backgrounds in mathematics and computer science, along with the preparation in probability and statistics that accompanies most computer science, computer engineering, or other related technical degrees. Many of our students also have significant professional experience, either in internships or in their current job. This is not required, but it is very helpful. English language competency is strongly correlated to academic and professional success. Therefore, our degree program adheres to the SCS minimum standards for TOEFL and IELTS scores (TOEFL = minimum of 100; IELTS = minimum of 7.5). Ideally, no TOEFL sub-score will be under 22. There is no minimum GRE score requirement. The definition of "good GRE score" depends on the region where the test was taken, so we compare applicant's GRE scores to other GRE scores from the region where you were educated, or where you took your test. Undergraduate academic performance is the strongest predictor of success in this degree program. Typically, applicants have a minimum GPA of 3.33 (or its equivalent) or higher. GPA is evaluated in the context of the institution you attended, due to variations in how grades are awarded.
• Is a B.S. in Computer Science required for admission to the MIIS program? No. While an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or another related technical or scientific discipline is preferred, it is not required. Applicants must demonstrate that they have strong computer science skills, good math skills, and a firm grasp of statistics. We look for  evidence that you have these skills (project work, internships, coursework, significant professional experience, etc.). Simply saying that you have been a programmer for many years, or that you have been coding since you were young, is not sufficient.
• The application requires a statement of purpose. What makes a good statement? A good statement conveys three different types of information about you. First, we look for strong evidence that you can do well in the MIIS degree program. For example, a description of your academic experience; a description of a software project that you were involved in (including your role in its implementation and its impact); a description of an internship or other professional experience, etc. are all good pieces of evidence. The descriptions are stronger the more specific you can make them-- i.e., details about what you did, what you liked, and what you learned from these experiences. Second, your essay is stronger if you explain why you want to be in the MIIS program  specifically. We understand that you may be applying to more than one degree program, but you should tell us why you want to apply to  this  one in particular, how it relates to your career goals, and what you hope to get out of your experience here. Third, a discussion of your career goals is useful-- what you enjoy, what you hope to accomplish after receiving your degree, why you think the MIIS program is the right choice for what you want to do. Just wanting to go to graduate school at CMU is too vague. Please do not tell us that CMU is your "dream school." The essay must be written by you. You may have others proofread your essay to help you improve your English quality, or the style, but it must be substantially your own words.
• The application requires letters of recommendation. From whom should I solicit letters? The strongest letters come from respected advisors and managers who know you well and have experience directly supervising your work. They often focus on your specific accomplishments while working under them, and what specific traits, skills or achievements make you remarkable. A letter from a professor who taught you in a class is acceptable, but often does not provide great depth of detail. Letters from people who know you only in a personal capacity and cannot comment on your academic or professional work are not appropriate. Letters from high-ranking univeristy officials, such as deans, provosts and vice-presidents, but who have not observed your work should not be submitted
• I have worked in industry for several years/I did an internship when I was an undergrad. Will I be required to do an internship? During your first semester, you may petition the MIIS Program Director to waive the internship requirement. Their decision will be based on length, location, and type of your previous employment.
• I am a CMU student in another degree program. Can I transfer into the MIIS program? Transfer into the MIIS program is not permitted during a student's first semester at CMU. Students must begin their study at CMU in the program that admitted them. This is a universal rule in the School of Computer Science. Students may transfer into the MIIS program between the end of the first semester and the add/drop deadline of the second semester. The MIIS program will conduct an expedited admissions process for the student during this period. The program will consider explicitly whether the coursework done during the student's first semester will allow the student to be more-or-less "on schedule" by the end of the second semester, so that the student may participate in a capstone project with the other MIIS students during the final semester.
• I have been admitted to the MIIS program. What should I do to prepare? Mathematics and statistics are central to many CMU courses. Probably you had linear algebra, introduction to statistics, and/or introduction to probability courses as an undergraduate. However, your courses may not have been very deep, or your skills may be a little rusty now. You will be expected to have skills comparable to our 21-325 (Probability), 36-202 (Statistical Methods), and 21-341 (Linear Algebra) courses. You may wish to review CMU's free Open Learning Initiative courses for some of these skills. You may also find it useful to know MATLAB . MATLAB is not a required skill, but it is convenient and widely-used at CMU.
• I applied, but was not admitted. Can you tell me why? Unfortunately, the number of available slots in our program and the high volume of applicants mean that many qualified applicants will not be accepted. Due to the large number of applicants, we do not respond individually to applicants that were not accepted. The generic reason that an application is turned down is that we were able to fill the entering class with students who were believed to have a greater chance of success in the program.  Not being admitted is not a reflection on your qualifications or your preparations, but merely on how you ranked with respect to a large number of other aspirants.  Previous unsuccessful applicants are not prohibited from re-applying in future cycles.

MISM Accelerated Master's Programs

Done faster. Change sooner.

Students with the drive to develop as leaders and enter the job market more quickly can earn their undergraduate and MISM degrees together in five years instead of the typical six.

An accelerated program isn’t just a savings of time. It’s also a considerable savings in cost, and for undergrads coming from outside of Pittsburgh, it offers an expedited path to experience the benefits of two distinct educational and cultural environments, and brings you into contact with the booming Pittsburgh tech sector that much sooner.

The Heinz College MISM program has collaborative agreements in place with the following institutions:

Carnegie Mellon University 3 years CMU undergraduate (any major) / 1 year integrated / 1 year at Heinz College

Allegheny College 3 years at Allegheny / 2 years at Heinz College

Bethany College 3 years at Bethany / 2 years at Heinz College

Chatham University 3 years at Chatham / 1 year integrated / 1 year at Heinz College

Learn more about MISM admissions requirements .

For more information on Accelerated Master’s Programs, please contact the  Heinz College Office of Admissions at  [email protected]  or by phone  (412) 268-2164 .

Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology

Cmu's home for political science and international relations.

Master of Information Technology Strategy (MITS)

The Master of Information Technology Strategy is a cooperative endeavor administered by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology  and in partnership with the   College of Engineering  and the  School of Computer Science . This program creates leaders in the IT strategy space by allowing you to tailor your degree to an area of interest and teaching you how the puzzle pieces fit together -- both of which make you valuable to employers. The average starting salary for MITS graduates is nearly $120,000.

The program's two tracks provide flexibility, but their brevity -- the longer of the two takes sixteen months to complete -- is well-suited for those who want to quickly advance their professional career. Both tracks involve a required Capstone Project, in which teams of four to six students partner with a company, research center, or organization to help them solve a strategic problem.   

The program offers four areas of specialization: Data Analytics, Information Security, Technology Strategy & Governance, and Software and Networked Systems. No matter what you choose, you'll receive a blend of the other three, meaning you will leave Carnegie Mellon with a well-rounded skillset that makes you an attractive target on the job market. MITS is a STEM-designated degree according to the US Department of Homeland Security, meaning international students may apply for a longer period of Optional Practical Training. 

Graduates go on to careers as data scientists, software engineers, military cyber operations officers, artificial intelligence and machine learning engineers, and business technology analysts for companies such as Oracle, Microsoft, Barclays, Deloitte, Apple, Google, DoorDash, and Visa. 

For More Information

Please contact Mark Gardner , CMIST Graduate Program Manager.

Graduate Handbook

For graduate students entering fall 2024

For graduate students who entered fall 2023

The program has four areas of concentration:

• Data Analytics
• Technology Strategy & Governance
• Information Security
• Software and Networked Systems

The MITS program provides a multidisciplinary education that prepares students to define and conceptualize:

• the emerging environment of threats caused by cyber operations;
• opportunities for enhanced information analysis and exploitation;
• development and management of innovative information technology systems; and
• decision-making challenges associated with the above.

Study with the experts who are changing the game in their fields

When you take our Dynamic Network Analysis course, you'll be taking it with Dr. Kathleen Carley .  Dr. Carley specializes in network science, agent-based modeling, text-mining, and organizational and social theory framework.   In her work, she examines how cognitive, social, and institutional factors come together to impact individual, organizational, and societal outcomes. Sh e uses her expertise to address policy issues including counter-terrorism, human and narcotic trafficking, cyber and nuclear threats, organizational resilience and design, natural disaster preparedness, cyber threat in social media, and leadership.

Universities

Carnegie Mellon University

Masters in Information Systems Management

Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania

Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy

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Program Duration

Management Information Systems

Degree Type

Course Credits

With Masters in Information Systems (MS-IS) program at Carnegie Mellon University , one can embark on an IT leadership pathway by becoming a more evolved and persuasive, dynamic software engineer. Following is the MS in Information Systems course overview

Through this innovative curriculum and a rigorous academic program at CMU , one can learn problem-solving skills and design groundbreaking software solutions that fit within the complexities of the real-time business world. These solutions would further solve the humanistic needs of the people who use them.

MSIS flexible degree program at Carnegie Mellon University puts “software solutions” at the forefront of the engineering paradigm that addresses the socio-technical needs of contemporary society.

Subjects in MS in Information Systems

The MS in Information Systems subjects at Carnegie Mellon University may change based on the specialisation and course curriculum. However, the exhaustive list of Masters in Information Systems subjects at CMU includes the following:

• System Analysis and Design
• Database Management
• Enterprise Architecture
• Information Security and Compliance
• E-Commerce and Internet-based Applications
• Data Warehousing
• Business Process Design
• Strategic IT and change management
• Business Intelligence Applications, etc.

Scope of Masters in Information Systems

• After completing an MS in Information Systems from Carnegie Mellon University , a student can work in a technology-based or consulting firm.
• This degree from CMU recognises achievements in challenging integrative and innovative areas of technology, management, and employee relations.
• The MIS degree from Carnegie Mellon University helps students improve in research and individual accountability.
• Typical jobs for Master of Science in Information Systems graduates at Carnegie Mellon University include Data analytics manager, Computer and information systems manager, IT risk manager, Cyber security analyst, etc.

Official fee page

$86,130 / year

$86,130 / 12 months

5000+ Students

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Minimum english score required

Minimum aptitude score required

Conditional Waiver/Optional

• Online Application 
• Academic Transcripts
• English Language Proficiency
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• GRE/GMAT Scores (optional)
• Professional Resume
• Required Essay
• Optional Essay  
• Video Interview (optional)

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