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Deadlines, financial aid, and supplemental materials

When is the deadline to apply for graduate studies?

Fall entry

Ph.D. programs - December 15

M.S. programs - January 5th

Spring entry

M.S. & Ph.D. programs - August 31

 

Deadlines apply to single degrees within the department. Applications to dual degree programs should submit their application by the earliest deadline of the two programs. 


What are my chances of being admitted?

Your chances of being admitted cannot be determined prior to the graduate admission committee reviewing your completed application. Faculty will not comment on an applicant's chances. We ask that you do not contact faculty directly regarding your admission status. We admit approximately 12% of Ph.D. applicants and 35% of M.S. applicants.


Is there financial aid available and what are my chances of receiving financial aid?

Enrolled Ph.D. students typically receive a full-tuition fellowship and monthly stipend.

M.S. programs are self-supported which means there is no department financial aid available. M.S. students are encouraged to apply for external funding. M.S. students conducting research should not expect to receive funding from their research advisor.

Additional information is available in the handbook.


Where do I send my supplemental materials such as transcripts and recommendation letters?

All application materials must be submitted through the application system. Official transcripts are only required for enrolled students and may be sent to:

Graduate Admission
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Scaife Hall
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213


Test scores and GPA

What are the minimum test scores required for admission?

 

The minimum required DuoLingo English test score is 105 total. The minimum subscore guidelines are: Literacy 105, Comprehension 115, Production 70, Conversation 95.

The minimum required TOEFL score is 84 total. The minimum subscore guidelines are: Reading 22, Listening 22, Speaking 18, Writing 22.

The minimum IELTS band score is 6.5. The minimum subscore guidelines are: Reading 6.5, Listening 6.5, Speaking 6, Writing 6.


Can the TOEFL score be waived?

An official TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo test is required for non-native speakers of English. This requirement is waived for applicants who have spent four years at an in-residence undergraduate program in the United States or Canada excluding Quebec.


Have you received my test scores, and may they arrive after the application deadline?

Your application status page will be updated when we receive your official test scores. It is acceptable for your official test score report to arrive after the application deadline.

Having your official test score reports arrive after the deadline will not affect your admission or financial support decisions.


The testing agency sent my official test scores but the status page indicates unofficial scores. Why?

If you have used the appropriate codes, we will receive your test scores. Your application status page will be updated as soon as possible.


What is a GPA and what if my institution does not report grades this way?

Institutions in the United States typically use Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale to record grades.

If your institution reports grades in a different manner, you may use the free iGPA calculator through World Education Service.

You are required to submit your GPA based on the scale used by your university and also on a 4.0 scale.


GRE Update We are not accepting GRE scores for our graduate admission process.

Transfer credit, application status, and other questions

Can I receive transfer credit

Yes. For a comprehensive overview of the transfer credit process please consult the most recent handbook.


What is the status of my application?

Please log in and check your application status.


What are my options if not admitted?

You may re-apply for the next term of entry (i.e. applied for fall; re-apply for spring).


Where can I find information regarding degree requirements, program policies?

For a comprehensive overview of the programs including degree requirements, please consult the most recent handbook.


Can I enroll as a part-time student?

Part-time enrollment is an option available for students in special circumstances, such as students who would like to pursue a degree while maintaining external employment.

Immigration regulations do not allow Carnegie Mellon University to issue visa documents for part-time programs.


Apply!

Apply online to one of our graduate programs.