Carnegie Mellon Early Decision

What's up guys? I'm considering applying to Carnegie Mellon through their Early Decision program. Can anyone give me a rundown of what the process looks like and if it increases my chances of getting in?

Hello! Carnegie Mellon University's Early Decision (ED) application process is similar to other schools' in that you'll be submitting your application earlier than the Regular Decision (RD) deadline. For Carnegie Mellon, the ED I deadline is typically November 1st (and the ED II deadline is typically January 3rd), while RD applications are generally due around January 3rd.

By applying ED, you're committing to attend the University if you're accepted, which means you cannot apply to any other schools through their ED programs. To apply under CMU's Early Decision plan, you'll need to complete the Common Application along with CMU's supplemental materials. These materials include additional short answer questions, your high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and optional standardized test scores (the University is currently test-optional).

Also, keep in mind that you should submit your financial aid forms, like the FAFSA and CSS Profile, as early as possible to ensure you're considered for financial aid.

Now, if you're wondering whether applying ED increases your chances of getting in, the answer is generally yes. On average, applying ED results in a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission to highly selective schools, and this benefit becomes less pronounced the less selective the school is.

Since Carnegie Mellon is a competitive institution, applying ED could give you a meaningful advantage in the admissions process. If your chances of admission before applying early were, say, 4%, applying ED could bump them up to around 6.4%. Keep in mind, however, that the admissions rates for Early Decision can be more favorable because the pool of applicants also tends to be stronger, so it's important to ensure your application is competitive.

In summary, applying Early Decision at Carnegie Mellon will let the admissions committee know that you're highly committed to attending the University, which can boost your chances of getting accepted. You'll need to submit your application with all the required materials by November 1st and be prepared to attend CMU if offered a spot. Best of luck with your application!