Frequently Asked Questions about the Application Process

Applying to graduate school is an important and, hopefully enjoyable part of one's education and growth. It is a chance to explore new educational and career objectives as well as new homes, landscapes and cultures. However, it is a lot more enjoyable when you get in. As such, you should apply with high hopes and a willingness to push your boundaries, tempered with an appropriate measure of realism.

To help guide you through this process, we have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions. We hope that this information will help you better understand the application process and ease some of the concerns you may have about the processing and review of your application materials.

• May the supporting documents be received after the application deadline?

Yes, it is acceptable for your transcripts, letters of recommendation and GRE and TOEFL score reports to arrive after the application deadline. Receipt of these reports a week or two after the deadline will not affect your chances of being admitted or of receiving financial aid. We request however, that you monitor the on-line tracking screen and proceed as necessary to expedite the submission of these documents, as applications will not be reviewed until all supporting documents have been received.

• What do you look for in an applicant? How important are grades, the quality of undergraduate or previous graduate programs, recommendations, work experience, and the candidate's statement of purpose?

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. 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 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 CEE 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, 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 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 component, 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 insight, 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 people with whom you have not worked are generally not considered informative.

• May I defer payment of the application fee until after I am admitted?

The application fee is required in order for us to process your application. We do not waive or defer the fee.

• How important is the Statement of Purpose?

The Statement of Purpose is important and several faculty members read every word of it during the admissions process. 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 CEE is a place you believe would enable you to meet your objectives. Demonstrate that you are familiar with the program and specific research areas or projects that might interest you, but do not, however, copy whole sections of our catalogue or faculty bios, web pages, etc. into your statement of purpose. Suggest a few possible projects that might interest you, but do not limit yourself to a single, narrowly defined project. This statement should not be too long (3-4 pages) or too short (less than 1 page).

• How important are the GREs?

GREs provide some standardized way of evaluating some aspects of the math, verbal and analytical skills of applicants, and we do consider them. The GRE writing exam tests your ability to frame and communicate written arguments and analysis, and we recommend 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 quantitative and analytical scores in the 600s or 700s; 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., GREs) can, and often is, compensated for by better performance in other aspects (such as strong grades and outstanding recommendations).

• How do I register for the GRE and TOEFL exams?

Registration for the GRE and TOEFL exams is available through the Educational Testing Services (ETS).

• What are the minimum GRE and TOEFL scores required for admission?

There are no 'cut-off' scores for the GRE examination, which is evaluated in the context of your entire application package. The minimum acceptable internet-based TOEFL total score is 84 and the subset scores are reading: 22, listening: 22, speaking: 18 and writing: 22. TOEFL scores are required of all applicants whose native language is not English. We no longer accept paper-based or computer-based TOEFL scores.

• What is your GRE and TOEFL school (and department) codes?

The GRE school code for Carnegie Mellon is 2074 and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering department code is 1102. The TOEFL code is 65.

• What if I have not, cannot, or will not take the GREs?

We require GREs, and insist upon them for all 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, however, it could reduce your chances of admission. If other aspects of your application are very strong and a less-than-stellar performance on the GREs would not have seriously affected your chances of admission to begin with, then not taking the GREs 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 GREs could pass you in the queue.

• Do I have to take the TOEFL exam?

You must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if your native language is not English. We do not waive this requirement even for applicants who have previously studied in the United States or another English-speaking country. If you have taken the TOEFL in the past and feel your English has improved, we strongly recommend that you retake the exam. This is especially true for PhD applicants, where strong English skills are required. We may also call you (or have someone else call you) 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. Should we consider a phone interview necessary, you will be contacted either by phone or email beforehand to arrange a mutual agreeable time for the interview.

• How many apply? How many get in?

We receive approximately 500 applications each year, and enroll  approximately 80 new graduate students in the fall.

• What are my chances of being admitted?

The Graduate Admissions Staff (who answer e-mail messages and phone calls) do not determine admissions criteria and are not involved in admissions decisions. Your chances of being admitted cannot be determined prior to the Graduate Admissions Committee reviewing your completed application package. (For more information on the review process, please see answer to 'What is the status of my application ?')

Please note that individual faculty likewise cannot comment on an applicant's chances. For this reason, we ask that you do not contact faculty directly regarding your admission status.

• Have you received my application?

You can track your application status on-line. This site is updated as decisions are made, so please feel free to check your status frequently during the peak admission season.

• What is the status of my application? When should I expect to receive a decision?

Every year the Graduate Admissions Staff receive hundreds of inquiries about the application process. The Graduate Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications shortly after the application deadline. Depending upon the number of applications received, this process can take several weeks. Please note that all applications are held for review until after the application deadline; thus, there are no early decisions except in the case of an extenuating circumstance. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed until all documents are received. Please contact ce-admissions@cmu.edu should you have an extenuating circumstance which requires an early decision.

Admission letters are viewable on-line and an email notification is sent to the applicant. We do not send paper copies of decision letters via postal service for environmental reasons. Decision letters may be printed online and enrolled international students may use the printed copy to apply for the I-20.

• The on-line tracking system states that my GRE and TOEFL scores (or transcripts) have not yet been received, but I sent copies (or uploaded my transcripts). Why have they not been accepted?

In most cases, this means that we have not yet received your official transcripts or score report from ETS. If you have already requested ETS to send your official scores and have uploaded all of your transcripts, you need not take any further action. You will be contacted directly should additional information be required.

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

Admitted students may defer enrollment for one semester, however, offers of financial aid may not be deferred. We must re-evaluate our ability to provide you with financial support in the semester of planned enrollment, since project and funding conditions do change. Final transcripts are required once the enrollment deferral is accepted. Admitted students wishing to defer enrollment for more than one semester are required to reapply.

• I am reapplying. Can I use my old materials?

In most cases, we are willing to carry over GRE and TOEFL scores submitted with your original application, however, an updated resume, statement of purpose and final transcript must be submitted with the new application. If you have enrolled at another university since your original application, a transcript from your current school and 1-2 letters of recommendation from current professors are also required.

• When must my official transcript be submitted?

All admission offers are conditional upon receipt and verification of your final and official transcript. Admitted students who commit to enrollment will be required to provide their final, official transcript at the time that their intent is submitted.