We just came from Pittsburgh. We absolutely loved CMU. It vaulted from unknown on my son’s list to #1 (pending or spring tour). The tour was divided into two groups of about 20. We had two very good guides. One a senior women the other a freshman young man. They were able to answer questions, and full in gaps between their knowledge. Obviously the senior knew more, but they both have different interests and experiences.
My son loved the campus, enjoyed the kids, though in his words they skewed towards weird, but not anti social. He liked the fact that it had ad dedicated campus as opposed to U Pitt or U Penn which campus was just part of the city.
He got an absolutely amazing tour of the physics department, we met 4 of the professors and the emphasis and enthusiasms for teaching was infectious.
If your planning on touring CMU, don’t let the original post or this review sway you. See it for yourself and see how you feel. Not to mention Pittsburgh was very nice, plenty of things to do, a lot of good food within walking distance, and on campus (we’re vegan, foods important)