Founded in 1900 by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie Mellon first started as Carnegie Technical Schools, then became the Carnegie Institute of Technology, and then merged with the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research to become the school we know today. A midsized private research university in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon has an acceptance rate around 15%. Based on their history, you’re correctly assuming its a top school for technical majors, including computer science, data science, robotics, and machine learning. But, they’re also home to the first ever drama school in the US! According to them, “past and present faculty and alumni include 20 Nobel Prize laureates, 13 Turing Award winners, 26 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 39 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 91 members of the National Academies, 142 Emmy Award winners, 52 Tony Award laureates, and 12 Academy Award winners.” Impressive.
The Carnegie Mellon supplement hasn’t changed, but we have some updated ideas to help you master their three questions. We actually really like their supplemental questions, and hopefully you’ll feel more at ease with our tips.
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 word maximum)
Carnegie Mellon wants to know your origin story. You’ll need to declare a major for this essay (and tbh, for any school/application you do) and then lead us through how you got there. If you’re interested in Data Science, tell us why. Like maybe you watched your family’s small business struggle with shipping, and so you helped create a program to optimize the process using live data – which makes you interested in the business applications of data science specifically. Build a niche. Tell us the story of the moment you realized.
Next, pick some upper-level classes and a professor you want to research with. If you’re interested in using data science to address social issues you could write about classes like Statistics of Inequality and Discrimination or Experimental Design for Behavioral & Social Sciences, and talk about how these classes fit into your goals. As for professors, maybe you think Cosma Shalizi’s work on the intersections of public policy and data science super cool and want to do research with him on visualizing civil rights violations in your state. Weave all these together into a cohesive narrative – you’re telling a story from the past and bringing it into the future you’re wanting at Carnegie Mellon. Tie it all together.
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 word maximum)
Ok so process of learning is underlined, so that’s probably important. What Carnegie Mellon is trying to figure out here is if you’re a good cultural fit with their environment. This question also involves some research – are there any clubs, labs, extracurriculars, study abroad opportunities, etc. that fit with your stated goals? How will engaging in those help you? Do you like the very academic and competitive environment that CMU offers? Write about what cultural and academic things on campus really appeal to you and how they tie into how you currently operate.
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 word maximum)
Awww, a mini Common App essay! We love this one because it’s an awesome opportunity to add depth to your application. You’ll want to cover something that isn’t covered anywhere else in your application, so don’t talk about being in band or writing for the student newspaper. Really think about what you want to tell them, or what makes you unique. Do you have a tradition you want to share? What about a side interest in something that might read as off-brand to someone? Maybe there’s a social issue you really care about and you’ve helped organize volunteers or protests about it. Are you the friend people go to in a crisis? Do you love to paint, or sing, or draw, or perform? What don’t they know? This part not only tells them something they don’t know, but it also humanizes you. Make sure to tell it as a story, with a distinct beginning, middle, and end, and really bring your readers into the scene with you.
Once you’re done with your essays, you’ll probably have to cut down. 300 words isn’t a lot when you’re trying to pitch yourself to a school. Edit, proofread, edit again, have someone else look at it, and then edit it again. Good luck!
If you need help with your CMU supplemental essays, reach out to us today.