How to Apply to Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University: Apply to the Mellon College of Science, with a BA and BS in Chemistry (Several BS Concentrations) and a BS in Biological Chemistry, and Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

At Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), chemistry is taught by the Department of Chemistry, part of the Mellon College of Science (MCS). The admission page says you apply to one college within the university (only one), and chemistry is on MCS’s list of programs. Biology and other majors are not covered here; medicine, nursing, pharmacy and similar programs are outside this article, so see the CMU website. Below is what CMU’s website says, for domestic students, international students (with a separate section for applicants from China) and transfer students. The university course catalog (coursecatalog.web.cmu.edu) is hosted by a third-party vendor and was not read, so check it for the required course lists and prerequisite details of each chemistry degree.

1. The degrees and programs

• BA in Chemistry: the admission page says it balances a strong chemistry foundation with electives of your choice, making it an option if you want an additional major in another college or school. The department site describes it as best for flexibility to combine with a second major or minor, with room for electives across campus.
• BS in Chemistry: the admission page says it takes a deep dive into organic, physical, inorganic and analytical chemistry, with research-focused, instrument-intensive lab experiences. Concentrations: Biochemistry, Polymer Science, Colloids, Polymers and Surfaces, Computational Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry and Management (described by the department as science plus business).
• BS in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry: the admission page says it is designed for students who want advanced study in biological chemistry or biomedical fields, balancing research-focused lecture courses with new lab coursework centered on the drug discovery process.
• Other programs: a Chemistry minor; Departmental Honors (BS with thesis); the Honors BS/MS Program in Chemistry (the department says students typically earn a BS with Departmental Honors and an MS within four years, by application); the Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA, which requires admission to the College of Fine Arts; see the website); the Health Professions Program and pre-law advising.
• Accreditation: the pages read do not say whether the chemistry degrees are certified by the American Chemical Society; not published on the pages read, so ask the department.
• Outcomes: the admission page prints: “Classes of 2023 - 2025, Six Months After Graduation: 83% Employed or in Grad School; $75,845 Average Salary.” The department says graduates go on to medical, dental and veterinary school and PhD programs, and to roles in biotech, pharma, energy, materials, environmental science and consulting.

2. How admission works: apply to MCS; rules for declaring chemistry not published

• Which college: the chemistry admission page says to submit your application for the Mellon College of Science; applicants may apply to only one college. The pages read do not say whether chemistry has its own admission line within MCS; not published.
• Whether you pick a major and when: the pages read do not say whether MCS first-years must name chemistry when applying, whether students can move into chemistry after enrolling, or any deadline, grade threshold or cap. This is not published, so ask admissions or the chemistry undergraduate programs office.
• Advising after enrolling: the department says each student has an academic advisor and a research mentor; the Director of Undergraduate Studies handles course planning, degree progress, petitions, approval of add/drop, transfer credits and summer courses elsewhere, and guidance for graduate and professional school applications and recommendation letters.
• Internal transfer: conditions for moving into chemistry are not on the pages read; not published.

3. Preparation

• High school courses (Mellon College of Science): 4 years of English; 4 years of mathematics (which the site says should include at least algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry and elementary functions (pre-calculus) and preferably calculus, with advanced math encouraged, especially calculus); 1 year of chemistry; 1 year of physics; 1 year of biology; 2 years of a foreign language; and 3 electives. The site adds that high school performance (rigor of curriculum and grades) is one of the main factors in the decision.
• AP/IB credit for chemistry and related courses (CMU’s AP and IB credit charts, updated March 16, 2026; check the latest): the site says AP scores of 4 or 5 may earn placement and credit, IB credit is for Higher Level exams with 6 or 7 only, and each college decides how credit counts toward a degree. In the charts, AP Chemistry 5 maps to 09-105 (Introduction to Modern Chemistry I, 10 units) and IB Chemistry HL 7 maps to 09-105. AP Biology 4 maps to 03-011 and 5 to 03-110; AP Calculus AB 5 maps to 21-120 (Differential and Integral Calculus) and AP Calculus BC 5 to 21-120 and 21-122; AP Physics C: Mechanics 5 maps to 33-141 and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 5 to 33-142. IB Mathematics HL 6 maps to 21-120 and 7 to 21-120 and 21-122; IB Physics HL 7 maps to 33-141. AP Chemistry with a 4 does not appear in the chart as read. Where these courses fall in the chemistry degree requirements was not read because the catalog was not read. The site also says engineering and science students awarded calculus credit who feel uncomfortable can take a lower course in the sequence, with credit adjusted accordingly.
• First-year courses and labs: the required course and lab lists for each chemistry degree are not on the pages read; see the catalog. The department site mentions an optional first-year sequence: 09-115 in the fall (introduction to undergraduate research, including lab culture and safety) and 09-116 in the spring (research shadowing in active labs).
• Undergraduate research: the department says more than 90% of chemistry majors take part in research, although it is not required and no prior experience is needed. Options include 09-445 Undergraduate Research (fall, spring or summer, 3 to 18 units, with a formal research paper due by the last day of classes) and 09-435 Independent Study for non-lab projects (by approval). About 6 to 12 hours a week is typical, and 1 unit is roughly 1 hour a week; students may instead be hired as hourly assistants, but cannot be paid and receive credit for the same hours. Research areas: atmospheric, green and environmental chemistry; nucleic acids, biological and bioorganic chemistry; catalysis and energy; polymers, materials and nanoscience; physical, analytical and theoretical chemistry. The university also lists summer research funding such as SURF; see the website.
• Honors: the department lists 09-455 Honors Thesis (senior year, written thesis and oral defense) and the Honors BS/MS Program; the entry conditions are not on the pages read, so see the catalog.
• Competitions: how chemistry competitions are viewed in admissions is not on the pages read; not published.

4. Plans and materials (fall 2027 entry)

• Early Decision: due November 2, notification by December 15, enroll by February 1. Binding: if admitted you are expected to enroll, you sign an Early Decision Agreement and withdraw other applications, and you should not have a pending ED application elsewhere. Outcomes are admit, deny or defer to Regular Decision; if denied under ED you cannot reapply under Regular Decision.
• Regular Decision: due January 4, notification no later than April 1, enroll by May 1.
• The pages print no year, so confirm they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• Application fee: USD 75; fee waivers are accepted for students meeting an economic-need indicator on the Common App. Apply through the Common App.
• Essays: the Common App essay plus the CMU writing supplement (three short-answer questions).
• Recommendations: a secondary school counselor evaluation and one teacher recommendation; the pages do not say it must come from a science teacher. CMU does not accept supplemental submissions such as resumes, portfolios, recordings or websites, and accepts no applicant updates after January 15 (counselor updates are still accepted).
• Testing: the Mellon College of Science uses a “test flexible” policy: scores are required to complete the application, but you choose the type: SAT, ACT, IB (predicted or actual), AP, Cambridge A-Level (predicted or actual) or the French Baccalaureate (predicted or actual); predicted results must be followed by actual results if you are admitted and enroll. SAT results may be superscored; ACT cannot. The SAT code is 2074 and the ACT code 3534; CMU prefers testing be finished by November 1 for ED and January 3 for RD.
• Optional material: the site says a Schoolhouse.world certification portfolio is considered in holistic review, and students with certifications may take CMU placement exams in foundational STEM topics such as biology, chemistry, physics and calculus; those who pass may take more advanced courses.

5. Domestic students

• Tuition: The cost page does not split in-state and out-of-state. For 2026-2027, first-years entering fall 2026: tuition USD 69,702; for residents, housing 11,700, food 7,950, first-year experience fee 748, technology fee 490, student activities fee 322, transportation fee 302, subtotal 91,214; plus books 1,000, personal expenses 1,300 and estimated loan fees 100, for a total cost of attendance of USD 93,614 (commuters USD 78,620). Health insurance is also required, USD 3,093 per year in 2026-27, with a waiver for students covered elsewhere. Students entering in 2025 and earlier have a separate column. Figures for 2027 entry are not on the pages read.
• Aid: the site says students whose families make less than USD 75,000 a year attend tuition-free, students from families making less than USD 100,000 receive aid that does not include federal loans, and CMU commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for domestic students. A Net Price Calculator is offered. Application materials and deadlines are on the financial aid pages.
• Department scholarships: scholarships specific to the chemistry department are not on the pages read; the department site links to university fellowship and scholarship pages (Fellowships and Scholarships, SURF, the Summer Scholars Program), so check the website for conditions.
• Resident preference or guarantee: not on the pages read; not published.

6. International students

• Definition and process: CMU defines an international applicant as a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than the United States studying on a temporary visa; the application procedure and timetables are “essentially the same” as for US applicants. The site says international students were 19% of the undergraduate student body in 2024-2025.
• English tests: applicants whose native language is not English must submit official TOEFL, IELTS (or IELTS Online), Duolingo English Test or Cambridge English results no more than two years old. Required: IELTS overall 7.5; TOEFL iBT taken before January 21, 2026, overall 102 (subscores of 25 and above are given consideration), and for exams on or after January 21, 2026, overall 5 (subscores of 5 and above); TOEFL Essentials overall 11; Cambridge English 191; Duolingo 135 (integrated subscores of 135 and above are given consideration). For multiple TOEFL attempts CMU uses the set with the highest overall score and does not use MyBest.
• Other documents: use the exact name on your passport; transcripts in other languages need an official translation, verified by a counselor or school official; if you are preparing for IB or A-Levels, send expected results.
• Aid: the site says CMU does not offer financial aid to international students, who must plan to pay the total cost of attendance.
• Proof of funds: the international page read does not list a financial certification requirement; not published, so ask admissions.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read do not say how Gaokao results are used; this is not published, so ask admissions.
• Interview: for non-native English speakers CMU recommends (but does not require) an InitialView or Vericant interview, saying such interviews can show readiness for classroom engagement, personality and the intended major.
• Testing and English: the same testing and English requirements as other international applicants; test-flexible options are in section 4.
• Transcripts and verification: non-English transcripts need an official translation verified by a counselor or school official. No China-specific credential evaluation or exam-certificate requirement is on the pages read.
• Any other China-specific guidance is not published on the pages read; ask admissions.

8. Transfer students

• General: CMU admits a small number of transfer students each year as space permits; policies vary by college. Transfer applicants are considered for only one college or program and must have completed a semester of college before applying.
• Deadlines: the two pages disagree. The plans and deadlines page gives a fall transfer deadline (all colleges except Fine Arts) of February 16, with all supporting documents due March 1, notification May 17 and enrollment by June 1; the transfer page gives an application deadline of February 15, supporting documents March 10, and notification by May 17. Neither prints a year; confirm fall 2027 entry with admissions.
• Materials: the Common App; high school and college transcripts; course descriptions for courses from each college attended (not the whole catalog); a professor or advisor recommendation instead of the counselor recommendation; the Common App College Report from your registrar or dean; no SAT or ACT is required; non-native English speakers still submit an English proficiency test with the same score requirements as international applicants.
• Credit: the college you are admitted to evaluates your courses, and you receive that evaluation with your decision letter.Chemistry-specific transfer requirements (GPA, chemistry or calculus sequence): not on the pages read; not published, so ask admissions and the department.
• University housing is not guaranteed for transfer students.

Checklist

Domestic students:

• Apply through the Common App to the Mellon College of Science: ED November 2, RD January 4 (confirm the year)
• Four years of math (preferably with calculus) and one year each of chemistry, physics and biology, plus two years of a foreign language
• Test flexible: submit SAT, ACT, AP, IB or another listed option; counselor evaluation, one teacher recommendation, two essays
• After enrolling, ask the chemistry department about degree, concentration and research

International students (including those from China):

• English: IELTS 7.5, TOEFL iBT 102 (old scale) or 5 (new scale), Duolingo 135 and so on; an InitialView or Vericant interview is recommended
• The site says no financial aid is offered to international students, so plan to pay the full cost
• Ask admissions how Gaokao results are used

Transfer students:

• At least one semester of college completed; apply by mid-February for fall entry (the two pages give different dates)
• Submit course descriptions and a professor recommendation; credit is evaluated after admission

Sources: Carnegie Mellon University, Undergraduate Admission: Chemistry; Mellon College of Science; Department of Chemistry; Chemistry undergraduate programs; Application plans and deadlines; Admission requirements; Academic requirements and college-level work; Standardized testing; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Costs and aid; 2026-2027 undergraduate tuition; AP and IB credit; AP credit chart (PDF); IB credit chart (PDF). Most deadlines on the admission pages print no year, and the tuition page shows figures for first-years entering in fall 2026; the pages read do not give 2027 entry figures. Check Carnegie Mellon for the latest details and confirm fall 2027 entry.