Carnegie Mellon Admissions 2024-2025
Carnegie Mellon University recently released their Common Data Set for 2024-2025, providing a comprehensive look at what it takes to be admitted to this elite institution. Let's examine the data to understand who gets into CMU and what factors matter most in their admissions process.
Carnegie Mellon's Remarkable Selectivity
CMU's admissions statistics reveal an increasingly competitive landscape:
Total applicants: 33,941
Admitted students: 3,959
Enrolled students: 1,808
Acceptance rate: Approximately 11.7%
With fewer than 12 in 100 applicants receiving an offer, Carnegie Mellon has solidified its position as one of the most selective universities in the country.
Academic Profile of Admitted Students
The academic credentials of CMU's Class of 2029 are truly exceptional:
Test Scores
SAT Composite (middle 50%): 1510-1560 (median: 1540)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 730-770 (median: 750)
SAT Math: 770-800 (median: 790)
ACT Composite: 34-35 (median: 35)
ACT Math: 34-36 (median: 35)
ACT English: 33-36 (median: 35)
It's worth noting that only 52.6% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores and just 22.4% submitted ACT scores, as CMU maintained a test-optional policy for this admissions cycle.
GPA and Class Performance
Average high school GPA: 3.89
46.9% had a perfect 4.0 GPA
38.3% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
96.8% of students ranked in the top tenth of their high school class
99.8% ranked in the top quarter of their class
These statistics demonstrate that virtually all CMU admits have stellar high school academic performance.
Interesting Demographic Information
Carnegie Mellon's undergraduate population shows significant diversity:
International students: 23.3% (1,823 students)
Asian: 32.3% (2,530 students)
White: 20.5% (1,607 students)
Hispanic/Latino: 9.4% (735 students)
Two or more races: 5.0% (394 students)
Black or African American: 3.8% (298 students)
Race/ethnicity unknown: 5.5% (434 students)
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.01% (1 student)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.03% (2 students)
With nearly a quarter of undergraduates coming from outside the United States, CMU continues to be one of the most internationally diverse universities in America.
What Matters Most in Carnegie Mellon Admissions
Carnegie Mellon's Common Data Set provides valuable insight into what factors weigh most heavily in their admissions decisions:
"Very Important" Factors
Rigor of secondary school record
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
"Important" Factors
Interview
Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities
First generation status
Volunteer work
Work experience
"Considered" Factors
Class rank
Standardized test scores
Alumni/ae relations
Geographical residence
State residency
Level of applicant's interest
"Not Considered" Factors
Religious affiliation/commitment
What These Ratings Mean for Applicants
Carnegie Mellon's ratings reveal their holistic approach to admissions:
Academics remain foundational: The rigor of your curriculum and GPA are "very important" - you need to challenge yourself with the most demanding courses available to you and perform excellently.
Essays and recommendations matter tremendously: Both are rated as "very important," suggesting that CMU values the qualitative aspects of your application as much as the numbers.
Character and personal qualities are significant: These being listed as "important" underscore CMU's interest in who you are beyond your academic achievements.
Extracurricular distinction matters: "Talent/ability" and "extracurricular activities" being rated as "important" suggests that CMU values significant achievement or contribution in your activities.
Test scores are only "considered": Even though admitted students have outstanding scores, CMU rates standardized tests as less important than many other factors, consistent with their test-optional policy.
First-generation status is "important": This indicates CMU's commitment to increasing access for students who would be the first in their families to attend college.
Notable Observations
Several other details from the Common Data Set stand out:
Exceptional retention rate: 98% of first-year students return for their sophomore year, indicating extremely high student satisfaction.
Outstanding student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1, offering students extraordinary access to faculty.
Early Decision: CMU offered admission to 612 students from 4,423 Early Decision applicants, giving ED applicants a slightly higher acceptance rate than the overall pool.
Housing: 99.9% of first-year students live in college-owned housing, creating a strong community experience.
Class sizes: Despite being a research powerhouse, CMU maintains intimate learning environments with 646 classes having just 2-9 students and 575 classes with 10-19 students.
Academic diversity: From the degrees awarded, engineering (21.6%), computer science (16.5%), business (12.3%), and interdisciplinary studies (11.2%) are the most popular fields, reflecting CMU's technical strengths while maintaining robust programs across disciplines.
What This Means for Future Applicants
For students aspiring to Carnegie Mellon, these numbers highlight the importance of:
Academic excellence: Taking the most challenging courses available and excelling in them.
Authentic engagement: Developing genuine interests and making meaningful contributions.
Powerful writing: Crafting essays that reveal your authentic voice and perspective.
Strong recommendations: Building relationships with teachers who can speak to your intellectual curiosity and classroom contributions.
Character development: Demonstrating positive personal qualities through your actions and impact.
Remember that while these statistics provide insight into Carnegie Mellon's admissions process, they don't tell the full story of what makes a successful applicant. CMU seeks students who will contribute to their community in diverse and meaningful ways, not just those with perfect numbers.
Need help applying to Carnegie Mellon for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle? If so, contact an admissions expert at Cosmic College Consulting today.
