Getting In

What do you look for in an applicant?  How important are grades, the quality of undergraduate or previous graduate programs, recommendations, work experience, the candidate's statement of interest, and the interview?  What are the minimum GRE scores?  Will I get in or won't I?

In making admission decisions, we look for a balanced record of previous preparation and accomplishment, and indications of high potential for future growth and development.  We look for a good degree of overlap between what you say you want and what we believe we can provide.  We do not look for the same measures of accomplishment and potential in each student.  We value a diversity of skills, backgrounds and outlooks in our department.  We say this not only because we are required by Federal law and University policy to act this way, but because our experience with current and previous students has shown it to be true - a diverse group of students, faculty and staff leads to a more creative, innovative and productive place to work, teach and learn.  We want a good balance of women, men, minorities, and US and foreign nationals with different backgrounds and interests because this improves the quality of our department.  So, if you are looking for a place where everyone looks and talks just like you and GRE scores are the sole basis for admission decisions, please apply elsewhere.

We do attempt to learn as much about applicants as possible to aid in our decision.  Your previous schooling provides some indication of whether or not you are adequately prepared to succeed and thrive in the very rigorous academic environment that is EPP and Carnegie Mellon.  Your grades indicate your ability and willingness to work hard and benefit from courses and related learning opportunities. Beyond grades we look for indications of breadth of interests, policy interest or experience, good motivation, and good verbal skills.  Recommendations provide insight into research skill, work habits, creativity, and interpersonal skills, especially if we know the people writing them.  Pertinent work and other "real world" experience is very valuable, and many of our recent students bring the maturity, insight and motivation gained from applying their knowledge and skills in the real world.

Do my recommendations all need to be from professors?. . . in engineering or science?

The most informative recommendations are written by those for whom you have done technical work or research similar to the type you will do as a graduate student in our program.  Most often, this will be a professor in engineering or science with whom you have taken a course with a significant project componnent, an undergraduate (or MS) thesis advisor, etc.  It may also be a professor in the social sciences or humanities.  Supervisors or even co-workers in current or recent jobs are also often able to provide useful insights, however, we may be less likely to know them.  Depending on how long it has been since you have been out of school, some combination of one or two (usually two) professors and one or two work supervisors (usually one) is the most common choice. Recommendations from family members, scout masters or famous and important people who are friends of your family, but for whom you have not worked, are generally ignored.

The Statement of Interest is important and several of us read it, every word.  It should be thoughtful, informative and written in crisp, clear English.  It should show that you have thought about what you want to accomplish in graduate school, and why EPP is a good, indeed the best place to meet your objectives.  Show that you are familiar with the program and specific research areas or projects that might interest you (do not, however, parrot back whole sections of our catalogue or faculty bios, web pages, etc. - we recognize our own writing).  Suggest a few possible projects that might interest you, but do not limit yourself to a single, narrowly defined project.  Not too long, not too short.  You should have the time and material to fill at least a single page, however, you should be able to express your thoughts in under three or four pages.  Please remember to change the name of the school in the line that reads, "I know that I am perfect for you, and you are perfect for me, at Berkeley, the school of my dreams."

GRE's provide some standardized way of evaluating some aspects of the math, verbal and analytical skills of applicants, and we do consider them.  The GRE's have instituted a new writing exam that tests your ability to frame and communicate written arguments and analysis, and we plan to recommend, on a trial basis, that students take this exam.  Writing skills are very important in graduate school (and in virtually any job you will want to have after graduate school) and we believe that this test will indicate some of the skills necessary to succeed in this activity.  We almost never receive (or, look at) GRE tests in specific subjects.  Most, though not all, of our applicants have GRE scores in the 600's or 700's for all three of the standard test areas (V,Q,A).  We consider all three to be important, but again, the GRE is but one of many factors we consider in your application.  A perfect application is excellent in all aspects discussed above.  Few applications are perfect.  Lower performance in one aspect (e.g., GRE's) can, and often is, compensated for by better performance in other aspects (such as strong grades and outstanding recommendations).

What if I have not, cannot, or will not take the GRE's?

We require GRE's, and insist upon them for foreign applicants. However we do recognize that under some circumstances, such as illness, it will be impossible to take the exam.  We will still evaluate your application.  To be honest, however, it could disadvantage your chances of admission.  If other aspects of your application are very strong and a less-than-stellar performance on the GRE's would not have seriously affected your chances of admission to begin with, then not taking the GRE's will not hurt your chances either.  However, if you are at the margin (good, but not a clear admit), another applicant with similar credentials and good GRE's could pass you in the queue.

Is the computer-based (CBT) GRE acceptable for students from all countries?

In light of the discovery of a recent security breach and the ETS decision to suspend the CBT test in four Asian countries, computer-based (CBT) GRE results will no longer be accepted from the countries of Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and Korea. Only tests conducted after October 1, 2002 will be accepted for admission from these countries. CBT GREs from other countries appear to not be part of the security breach and will be accepted as usual.

Do I have to take the TOEFL exam?

If you are a foreign applicant, English is not your native language, and you have not received a previous degree in a U.S. University, then yes you have to take the TOEFL.  We like TOEFL scores in the 600 for the paper-pencil tests and 250 or higher for the computer-based test; We may also call you (or have someone else call you, such as someone from our Intercultural Communication Center) to evaluate your English.  Depending on where you live, this may be at an odd hour, since we usually call during our regular work hours.  If we wake you in the middle of the night, please do not swear in your native tongue, since we know most of those words.  If you are required to take the TOEFL, but are simply unable to do so, please have a very high verbal GRE score and/or expect the late-night phone call.  Seriously, if we do need to call you, we will arrange a time with you beforehand via email.

Can I arrange an interview?

The interview and visit to our campus is usually the last, but critically important step towards admission.  Only those students who are admitted or are still under serious consideration for admission are normally invited for an interview.  Often it occurs after students have been "admitted with aid pending" (see below for discussion of financial support).  The interview will include visits with a number of faculty, staff and students.  If you've gotten this far, you have probably been (or will soon be) admitted and recruited by other schools as well, so your visit here is as much for you to interview us, as it is for us to interview you.  We may pay for part of your expenses depending on availability of funding, though we will ask you to travel in an economical manner, e.g., with a Saturday night stay-over, perhaps staying with students for the night instead of at a hotel (not a bad idea in any case, if you want to get to know the academic and social environment better), etc.  If you can arrange a visit as part of another trip, all the better.  If you are unable to travel to Pittsburgh, we may arrange for one of our graduates or colleagues to interview you in your home city or country.

The meetings with faculty are informative and important; the meetings with students are essential in helping you to evaluate whether you will be comfortable enrolling here.  That's where you will hear the "real story."  The email links to our current and former students are provided for this same purpose.  During your interview, be yourself, ask lots of questions, and enjoy the visit.

We are usually not willing to arrange an extensive visit for you here until we have had a chance to review your full application and determined that your admission is likely or at least reasonably possible.  If, however, you happen to be in Pittsburgh for other reasons and would like an introductory visit, please let us know.

How many apply?  How many get in?

In most years we hope to enroll 8-12 (typically 10) new graduate students in EPP.  The number of applications we receive is usually in the range of 100-110 per year, and we admit approximately 20 to reach our target class size.  This is because many of our applicants have also applied to other quality institutions, such as those listed below, and we are not always their best fit.

If I am not admitted, may I reapply in subsequent years?

Yes, we may reactivate your application for up to 3 years following your initial application.  You will usually want to update your file with new information on accomplishments and transcripts if applicable since your initial application and a new Statement of Interest.

If I am admitted, but subsequently decide I am not yet ready to enter graduate school, may my admissions offer be deferred?

Yes for up to 3 years, however, offers of financial aid cannot be deferred.  We must re-evaluate our ability to provide you with financial support in the year of planned enrollment, since project and funding conditions do change.

How do I apply?

You may either apply online or follow the steps below for a paper application. To apply online, you must have your resume and statement of intent available in PDF or Microsoft Word Document format. If you do, you may now apply online using our College online application system; please be sure to select Engineering and Public as the department to which you are applying.

If you have any questions on the application procedure, please contact Victoria Finney, Admissions Coordinator, email: vicki AT cmu DOT edu, phone: +1-412-268-1462.

Application Deadline for Fall 2008 is February 1, 2008. However, we are willing to consider them at any time. Financial support decisions are made in March, so late applications are at a disadvantage. If you wish to apply but cannot make the February 1 deadline, please be sure to get in touch with the Admissions Coordinator

Steps for Paper Application:

1. Request an application package --

To request an application package you may do so on the Internet (click here), by mailing a request to us, or by calling the EPP department.

Graduate Admissions
Engineering & Public Policy
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
USA
Phone: (412) 268-2670; eppadmt@andrew.cmu.edu

* Download Application Materials

*Note: The GRE codes for EPP are -- 1699 department and 2074 institution.
TOEFL code is 69.

If admitted, the next steps are to:

1. Let us know your decision.  Respond in writing (email is fine), usually by April 15, but as soon as possible if you have already decided.
2. If you are a Foreign Student, once we have received your written acceptance of our offer, we will mail to you an additional set of documents needed to begin the process of obtaining your student visa.