Deadlines, financial aid, and supplemental materials
When is the deadline to apply for graduate studies?
The application deadline for Fall entry is December 15th for the Ph.D. program.
Review of Mechanical Engineering Master of Science applications will begin on December 15th.
Consideration will be given to all applications received by January 5th.
The application portal will close on January 6th.
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
Wean Hall 4103
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Test scores and GPA
What are the minimum test scores required for admission?
UPDATE: We are not accepting GRE scores for the fall 2021 application cycle.
There are no minimum score requirements for the GRE. The average GRE scores of admitted applicants are Verbal 153, Quantitative 163, Analytical Writing 4.0. We admit applicants with scores above and below these averages.
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.
We also accept IELTS scores in place of the TOEFL. 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 GRE and/or TOEFL scores from ETS, and may they arrive after the application deadline?
Your application status page will be updated when we receive your official test scores from ETS and/or IELTS. It is acceptable for your official GRE and TOEFL score reports to arrive after the application deadline.
Having your 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.
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?
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, and funding?
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.
UPDATE: We are not accepting GRE scores for the fall 2021 application cycle.