How Do I Request an Interview with Carnegie Mellon University?

I'm planning to apply to Carnegie Mellon University, and I heard interviews can be beneficial. Does anyone know the process for requesting an interview? Is it something I should do ASAP or wait for the university to contact me?

Carnegie Mellon University offers optional interviews for applicants which can provide additional insight into your experiences, goals, and fit with the institution. The interview process is a little different depending on whether you're applying for the College of Fine Arts or other colleges within the university.

For colleges other than the College of Fine Arts, interviews should be requested and completed between June of your junior year and November of your senior year in high school. The interviews are conducted by CMU alumni and are informational in nature: they allow you to learn more about the university from someone who's studied there.

To request an interview, you'll have to fill out a form on the Carnegie Mellon admissions website. After you submit the request, the Office of Admissions will match you with an alumni volunteer. The alumni volunteer will then reach out to you to schedule the interview.

For the College of Fine Arts, the interview or portfolio review is a part of your required pre-screen audition or portfolio submission in music, art, drama, or design, and will be conducted by faculty.

While interviews are not required for admission to CMU, they can be beneficial as they allow the admissions committee to learn more about you as an individual beyond what's covered in your application. Plus, they provide you an opportunity to learn more about the university from someone intimately familiar with it. It's recommended that you request an interview sooner than later as availability can sometimes be limited.