SCS Graduate Admissions Overview
SCS Graduate Admissions Overview
Thank you for your interest in graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science! Our online application allows you to apply to up to three of our doctoral programs and any of our master’s programs included in the combined application.
Note that seven of our master's programs have separate online applications, which you can learn more about on their admissions pages. MSIT in Privacy Engineering, Master of Human-Computer Interaction, Master of Software Engineering, Master of Software Engineering - Scalable Systems, Master of Software Engineering - Embedded Systems, MSE Online and Master of Science in Product Management.
Please Note
MCDS and MHCI applicants are required to submit a TOEFL score taken within the last two years. TOEFL scores taken before August 20, 2019, will not be accepted. For more information about the MCDS and MHCI TOEFL policies, visit their admissions websites: https://mcds.cs.cmu.edu/apply-mcds-program and https://www.hcii.cmu.edu/academics/mhci/application.
Important Dates & Deadlines
| For Programs Beginning in Fall 2022 | |
| Application Opens: | September 7, 2021 |
| Application Deadline: | December 13, 2021 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
| TOEFL, IELTS & GRE Deadlines: | If you need to retake your TOEFL, IELTS and/or GRE for this application, then you must take the exam no later than November 9, 2021. We will not accept any exam scores taken past the date of November 9, 2021 because the test scores will not be reportable until after our December 13, 2021 deadline. |
Application Checklist
For detailed information about each section of the application, visit the SCS Graduate Application Instructions Page.
- The Graduate Application
- Application Fee
- The application fee is $125 for one program and $75 for each additional program.
- Application Fee Waivers: We expect all applicants to submit payment with their online application. However, note that we do waive the required fee under certain circumstances. Fees for application to a limited number of our programs can be waived for participants in certain programs. In addition, if you are unable to pay the application fee, the School of Computer Science will consider a fee waiver request. For information about how to apply for an application fee waiver, visit the SCS Graduate Application Fee Waiver Page.
- GRE - GRE requirements vary for programs for the 2022-2023 academic year, although many programs strongly recommend taking them. See a short description of each program's GRE policy.
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo - If you are an international applicant and your native language (language spoken from birth) is not English, an official copy of an English proficiency score report is required. The English proficiency requirement cannot be waived for any reason. We strongly encourage applicants to take either the TOEFL or IELTS. In cases where these are not available it is acceptable to take the Duolingo test. We discourage the use of the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China", since speaking is not scored. Additional details are provided on the Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose (If uploading multiple SOPs, upload them as 1 PDF file and include a table of contents page).
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Supplemental Information (If applicable).
| Program | Short Name | GRE Policy |
| Master of Science in Automated Science: Biological Experimentation | MSAS | Neither general nor subject GREs are required for acceptance into the MSAS program. We assess applicants holistically and take into consideration many factors including quantitative and computational background and skills. These skills can be demonstrated by optional submission of GRE scores or by advanced coursework in computer science, mathematics (especially linear algebra), statistical inference or related areas. More information: http://msas.cbd.cmu.edu/faq/. |
| Master of Science in Computational Biology | MSCB | Neither the general GRE nor subject GREs are required. However, we assess applicants holistically and take into consideration many factors including computational background and skill. This computational skill can be demonstrated by optional submission of GRE scores or by advanced coursework in computer science, linear algebra, statistical inference or related areas. More information: https://www.cmu.edu/ms-compbio/prospective-students/how-to-apply.html. |
| Master of Science in Computer Science | MSCS | GRE scores are highly recommended. If GRE scores are not submitted, please briefly explain in the SOP section of your application. GRE scores are waived for applicants who have graduated from, or are enrolled at, Carnegie Mellon. More information: https://csd.cmu.edu/academics/masters/admissions. |
| Master of Human-Computer Interaction | MHCI | GRE scores are required. GRE waiver requests for extenuating circumstances can be made to Nicole Willis. More information: https://www.hcii.cmu.edu/academics/mhci/application. |
| Master of Educational Technology and Applied Learning Science | METALS | GRE General Test scores are highly recommended. If GRE General Test scores are not submitted as part of your application, we strongly encourage you to submit a portfolio and other relevant materials (such as coursework) to demonstrate your abilities and readiness for the program’s rigor. More information: https://metals.hcii.cmu.edu/admissions/faq-2/#Test. |
| Master of Science in Product Management | MSPM | Students may apply for a GRE/GMAT waiver. Students must submit a letter to the Admissions Committee highlighting their past work and educational experience. Students may be required to complete supplemental coursework. More information: https://ms-product-management.cmu.edu/. |
| Master of Software Engineering | MSE | GREs are optional but recommended as part of a holistic review and evaluation of applications by the MSE Programs Admission Committee. GRE scores are waived for applicants who have graduated from, or are enrolled at, Carnegie Mellon. More information: https://mse.isri.cmu.edu/applicants/mse-as/apply.html. |
| Master of Software Engineering - Scalable Systems | MSE-SS | GREs are optional but recommended as part of a holistic review and evaluation of applications by the MSE Programs Admission Committee. GRE scores are waived for applicants who have graduated from, or are enrolled at, Carnegie Mellon. More information: https://mse.isri.cmu.edu/applicants/mse-as/apply.html. |
| Master of Software Engineering - Embedded Systems | MSE-ES | GREs are optional but recommended as part of a holistic review and evaluation of applications by the MSE Programs Admission Committee. GRE scores are waived for applicants who have graduated from, or are enrolled at, Carnegie Mellon. More information: https://mse.isri.cmu.edu/applicants/mse-as/apply.html. |
| Master's of Software Engineering Online | MSE Online | GRE scores are optional; however, applicants who have taken the GREs are encouraged to submit their scores. More information: https://mse.isri.cmu.edu/applicants/mse-as-online/apply.html. |
| Master of Science in Information Technology - Privacy Engineering | MSIT-PE | While this year GRE scores are optional due to COVID-19, applicants who have taken the GRE are encouraged to submit their scores. GRE scores are waived for applicants who have graduated from, or are enrolled at, Carnegie Mellon. More information: https://privacy.cs.cmu.edu/masters/admissions/index.html. |
| Master of Computational Data Science | MCDS | GRE scores are required. GRE scores are waived for applicants who have graduated from, or are enrolled at, Carnegie Mellon. More information: https://mcds.cs.cmu.edu/apply-mcds-program. |
| Master of Science in Intelligent Information Systems | MIIS | GRE scores are required. More information: https://miis.cs.cmu.edu/learn-us-admission-faqs. |
| Master of Science in Language Technologies | MLT | GREs are optional. An application without GRE scores is not at a disadvantage; however, you may submit GRE results if you wish. More information: https://lti.cs.cmu.edu/mlt/learn-us-admission. |
| Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation | MSAII | GRE scores are required. More information: https://msaii.cs.cmu.edu/how-apply. |
| Master of Science in Machine Learning | MSML | GRE scores are required. More information: https://www.ml.cmu.edu/academics/primary-ms-machine-learning-masters.html . |
| Master of Science in Computer Vision | MSCV | GRE scores are required. More information: https://www.ri.cmu.edu/education/academic-programs/master-of-science-computer-vision/how-to-apply/. |
| Master of Science in Robotics | MSR | GRE scores are required. More information: https://www.ri.cmu.edu/education/academic-programs/master-of-science-robotics/how-to-apply/. |
| Master's in Robotic Systems Development | MRSD | GRE scores are required. More information: https://mrsd.ri.cmu.edu/apply/. |
| Ph.D. in Computer Science | While this year GRE scores are optional due to COVID-19, applicants who have taken the GRE are encouraged to submit their scores. More information: https://csd.cmu.edu/academics/doctoral/admissions. | |
| Ph.D. in Machine Learning | GREs are optional but strongly recommended. If you cannot submit GRE scores, explain the reason. More information: https://www.ml.cmu.edu/academics/machine-learning-phd.html. | |
| Ph.D. in Societal Computing (ISR) | GREs are optional. An application without GRE scores is not at a disadvantage; however, you may submit GRE results if you wish. More information: https://sc.cs.cmu.edu/prospective-students/how-to-apply. | |
| Ph.D. in Software Engineering (ISR) | We don't use GRE scores at all in our admissions processes. More information: https://se-phd.isri.cmu.edu/Prospective%20Students/apply.html. | |
| Ph.D. in Language and Information Technology | GREs are optional. An application without GRE scores is not at a disadvantage; however, you may submit GRE results if you wish. More information: https://www.lti.cs.cmu.edu/learn#quicktabs-phd_lti=3. | |
| Ph.D. in Robotics | Optional but strongly recommended. If you cannot submit GRE scores, explain the reason. More information: https://www.ri.cmu.edu/ri-education/. | |
| Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction | We don't use GRE scores at all in our admissions processes. | |
| Ph.D. in Computational Biology | We don't use GRE scores at all in our admissions processes. More information: http://www.compbio.cmu.edu/apply/. |