How to Apply to Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon: Direct Admission to the School of Computer Science, Choosing a Major in Sophomore Year, the B.S. Curriculum and Internal Transfer, with Requirements and Timelines for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science (SCS), and the degree is the B.S. in Computer Science, run by the school’s Computer Science Department. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on CMU’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and admission in SCS

• Direct admission to SCS: the catalog says students apply to, and are directly admitted into, the School of Computer Science, and may then choose to pursue the Computer Science degree.
• Five bachelor’s degrees: Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction and Robotics, plus the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) with the College of Fine Arts.
• When you choose: the admission page says all first-year students take foundational and theoretical computer science courses and explore the majors before choosing in the second semester of sophomore year.
• Outcomes: the admission page reports that 97% of the Class of 2025 were employed or in graduate school six months after graduation, with an average salary of USD 156,396.

2. The B.S. in Computer Science (students entering fall 2026)

• Core: First Year Seminar; 15-122 Principles of Imperative Computation (students without credit or a waiver for 15-112 take 15-112 first); 15-150 Principles of Functional Programming; 15-210 Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms; 15-213 Introduction to Computer Systems; 15-251 Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science; 15-451 Algorithm Design and Analysis.
• Constrained electives: one each in Artificial Intelligence, Domains, Logics/Languages and Software Systems, plus two SCS electives.
• Mathematics: Mathematical Foundations for Computer Science, two calculus courses, Matrices and Linear Transformations, multivariable calculus, and one probability course.
• Other requirements: one technical communication course; at least 36 units from the Mellon College of Science or College of Engineering; and at least 63 units in humanities, social sciences and arts.
• Required minor or concentration: a minor outside SCS or a concentration within SCS. Computer Science Department concentrations are Algorithms and Complexity, Computer Graphics, Computer Systems, and Principles of Programming Languages.
• Totals: 360 units to graduate, including 125 units of computer science.
• Research: students heading for research can take an intensive research course equivalent to four classes, ending in a senior honors thesis.

3. High school courses and internal transfer

• SCS high school requirements: 4 years of English, 4 years of mathematics, 1 year of physics, 2 years of chemistry, biology or computer science, 2 years of a foreign language and 3 electives. Mathematics should include at least algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry and elementary functions (precalculus), and preferably calculus; advanced mathematics, especially calculus, is encouraged.
• Students from other CMU colleges: you are expected to earn at least a 3.6 QPA across 15-122, 15-150, 15-210, 15-213, 15-251 and 21-127, with an overall 3.0, and to apply by the mid-semester break of the semester in which you finish the last of these. A committee decides based on grades, a required 1-2 page essay, involvement in computing activities and available space in your class level. Transfer is not guaranteed.
• Students already in SCS: there are no grade restrictions to move into Computer Science; decisions are based on a reflective essay and overall academic progress.

4. Application plans and deadlines

• Early Decision (ED, binding): due 2 November, decisions by 15 December, enrolment by 1 February. Decisions are admit, deny or defer to Regular Decision; applicants denied in ED cannot reapply in RD.
• Regular Decision (RD): due 4 January, decisions no later than 1 April, enrolment by 1 May.
• First-year and transfer applications are handled by CMU’s Office of Admission.

5. Standardized testing

• SCS requires the SAT or ACT. Some other CMU colleges are test flexible and accept IB, AP, A-levels and other exams instead, but that does not apply to SCS.
• CMU superscores the SAT but not the ACT. ED applicants should ideally finish testing by 1 November and RD applicants by 3 January. Scores can be self-reported; official reports are needed only after you are admitted and enrol.
• CMU encourages 11th- or 12th-grade scores (tests taken the summer after 10th grade are fine).

6. Students at high schools in China

• Testing: the SAT or ACT is required.
• Gaokao: CMU does not mention the Gaokao; check with the admission office.
• English: non-native English speakers must submit an English test (see section 8). CMU also recommends, but does not require, an InitialView or Vericant interview.
• Transcripts: documents not in English need an official translation verified by a counselor or school official.

7. Students at Canadian high schools

• Process: international applicants follow essentially the same process and timeline as US applicants, and the SAT or ACT is required.
• BC courses: CMU sets no separate requirements for BC or other Canadian provinces; prepare against the high school course requirements above.
• English: the requirement depends on first language; if English is not one of your first languages, you still need a test.

8. English requirements

• IELTS (Academic): at least 7.5 overall, with consideration for subscores of 7.5 and above;
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): before 21 January 2026, at least 102 (consideration for subscores of 25+); on or after that date, at least 5 overall (subscores of 5+); MyBest scores are not used;
• Duolingo at least 135, with 135 in each subscore; Cambridge English at least 191; TOEFL Essentials at least 11;
• Scores should be no more than two years old at application; CMU suggests taking the TOEFL or IELTS by December of senior year.

9. Costs and financial aid

• 2026-27 costs for first-years entering fall 2026 (USD, on campus): tuition 69,702; housing 11,700; food 7,950; tuition, fees and living expenses 91,214; total cost of attendance including books and personal expenses 93,614. Health insurance is also required: USD 3,093 for 2026-27.
• Costs for 2027 entry have not been published.
• No aid for international students: CMU does not offer financial aid to international students, who must plan to pay the full cost.

10. Transfer students

• Deadlines: CMU admits a small number of transfer students as space permits, for fall only. The two pages differ: the application plans page says 16 February, with documents by 1 March; the transfer page says 15 February, with documents by 10 March. Both give decisions by 17 May. Plan for the earlier dates.
• Eligibility: at least one semester of college completed before the deadline; you can apply to only one CMU college or program.
• Materials: college and high school transcripts with course descriptions; a recommendation from a professor or advisor and the Common App College Report. The SAT or ACT is not required; non-native English speakers still need an English test.
• Credit: the Computer Science Department says credit for courses from other institutions is evaluated case by case on admission.
• CMU does not say whether external transfer students admitted to SCS also choose their major in sophomore year; check with the admission office.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply directly to SCS: ED by 2 November or RD by 4 January
• 4 years of maths (preferably including calculus), 1 year of physics, and 2 years of chemistry, biology or computer science
• The SAT or ACT is required (ideally by 1 November for ED)
• IELTS 7.5, new TOEFL 5 (old 102) or Duolingo 135; optionally an InitialView or Vericant interview
• Plan to pay the full cost; CMU offers no aid to international students

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; the SAT or ACT is required
• Submit an English test if English is not one of your first languages

Transfer students:

• Complete at least one semester; apply by about 15 February, with documents by early March; apply to SCS only
• Prepare course descriptions and a professor’s recommendation; no SAT or ACT needed

Sources: Carnegie Mellon University, Admission: School of Computer Science; Computer Science Department bachelor’s programs; Catalog: Computer Science program; Catalog: B.S. in Computer Science; CS concentrations; Internal transfer into Computer Science; Application plans and deadlines; Standardized testing and English; International applicants; Transfer applicants; 2026-27 undergraduate tuition. Information is for fall 2027 entry (degree requirements are for students entering fall 2026; costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Carnegie Mellon for the latest details.