Overview of our visit at Carnegie Mellon

Colleges & Universities Carnegie Mellon University
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<p>We had a tour of CMU, which was conducted by their admissions department. We didn’t attend their open house, which gives a lot more meat about their majors. Our tour guides consisted of a business major and a computer science/engineering major. This is our reflection of our visit:</p>

<li>Academics: WOW is all I can say. Although we were there to visit with the Design department, I was especially interested in the fact that there is a LOT of interdiplinary work conducted among departments. For example, senior design students had a project to design a new form of math teaching that will encompass differerent types of learners. Students from design, art, engineering and business all had components to work on in this project.
Also, CMU doesn’t have a lot of specific humanities requirements and other requirements outside of the major. You only need to take English, Psychology and about 25 credits in other areas, outside of your major. Thus, you can get a real minor in another subject or can plan your humanities electives around any area of interest.
CMU is a very research oriented/ project oriented school. Everything is at a very high level of work. Also, because of this, the students take their studies very, very seriously. I saw many students studying over lunch. To give you an example of their high level of studies, business administration students need to know calculus, mutivariable calculus,and statistics among other traditional courses of finance and marketing. Believe me, take any major that you think you know or majored in, and Carnegie Mellon probably takes it to a higher level.</li>
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<p>CMU is a very wired campus. Wireless is omnipresent. Also, there are literally thousands of on- site computers that are constantly updated for their 5200 undergrads.</p>

<p>CMU has seven schools: College of Institute of Technology ( engineering), College of Fine Arts, College of information systems which consist of design and art, College of Humanities and Social Science, Tepper School of business, where you can only major in business administration, economics and E commerce as an undergrad, College of Science, and College of Computer Science . They also have Army, Air Force and Navel ROTC. </p>

<p>Admissions: CMU differs from most other schools in that you apply to specific schools for admission.If you want to take a major in those schools, you must be accepted there, although you can take courses from other schools, on a space available basis. The school of computer schience and engineering are the hardest. Easiest is the Humanities school, although I got the feeling that is isn’t exacly easy to get into. </p>

<p>Since I know I was going to get questions about the average SATs for each school, here they are:
Math verbal
CIT (Engineering) 730 650
CFA(Arts) 640 620 and portfolio
Humanities and Social Science 650 680
IT ( Information Systems) 700 630
College of Science 720 660
School of Computer Science 760 690 (toughest school)
Tepper School of Business 720 640</p>

<p>These posted SAT scores are median scores provided us by Carnegie Mellon Admissions office.</p>

<p>Overall in quality of academics, I would give them an A to A+ ( But they do have limited majors. For example, the school of business does not offer accounting as a major) Thus, check out whether a particular school has your major)</p>

<li>The campus: I really liked the campus. Admittedly, it didn’t have the rustic beauty of a Cornell; however, it was very pretty and functional. All college are design around a main quadrangle. Dorms aren’t that far away from any school or any classroom, for the most part. Buildings are very nicely designed with plenty of facilities and ports for computers. If you visit the school, check out the fine arts building, which was wonderfully designed and has some amazing frescos on the inside.</li>
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<p>I also checked out the student center, which is only 7 years old. It has a large food court, a dining room racquetball and squash courts and a room for tread mills and eliptical machines. Also, there are other weight machines. However, I got the feeling that there weren’t enough exercise machines for the whole campus. The school also has a number of tennis courts for the nice weather, which is few and far between during the year.</p>

<p>Overall: I really liked the campus, and gave it an A.</p>

<li>Parking: This is where CMU has a BIG problem. There was one parking lots and some assigned spaces where you can buy a pass. Amazingly enough, the parking lot was full when we arrived and had to park in a city space that had metred parking. Every two hours we had to put money in the meter, or we would get a fine. If you are coming here as a student: Don’t take a car unless you live off campus.</li>
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<p>Based on other schools that I have seen, I would rate the parking at CMU a D- and I am being kind.</p>

<li><p>Dorms: Sadly, I wasn’t able to see a dorm due to security. I was told however, that the school has 4 types of dorms: quads, suites, on campus apartment housing and off campus apartment housing. Most students didn’t complain about the dorms so they may not be that bad.</p></li>
<li><p>Food: Everything that I read told me that CMU food was going to be horrible. I will admit that the dining room served mediocre fried food with very little choices. However, CMU has a number of restaurants in a “food court.” This included a good salad bar with great grilled chicken, pizza and one of the best pretzles that I have ever had. Also, there are all kinds of restaurants scattered throughout the campus, such as a decent Indian restaurant. Frankly, we liked the food,but found better in other places. I would give the food a C to C+.</p></li>
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<p>6.Students feelings about CMU: We stopped a number of students and asked them about the school Not one gave a negative response. They seem to really appreciate the school However, make no mistake: all of them said that you will work very, very hard. Also, most students were very nice, helpful and talkative. I didn’t get the same snooty attitude that I saw in Princeton and Yale. Also, CMU is a very diverse school,but not as to normal minority students. There are lots of Asians and a fair number of international students. The male female ratio is about 3:2. Thus, if you are a minority (Black, Indian {maze eating kind}, or female), you may find admission easier.</p>

<li>Tuition: Here I have to gulp. CMU tuition alone is OVER $31,000. Room and Board averages around $8000- $9,000. This makes CMU, tuition wise, one of the most expensive schools in the nation. If you are studying computer science, you should make this up fairly quickly; however, if you are studying art, or design, it will take a long time to make this investment back. </li>
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<p>Overall impression: CMU is hard to classify due to its tremendous variety of students. Not only do you get MIT caliber students in their computer and engineering schools but you get some of the best art, design and drama programs in the country. It reminds me of a combination of MIT and Juliard or Peabody Conservatory plus having a top notch art school.</p>

<p>There is also lots to do. The drama school alone does 15 programs a semester (seems like a lot doesn’t it). The kids love the school and works them like dogs. The school has a sterling reputation among employers too because they have a top notch job and internship placement record. </p>

<p>Again, my impression my be different from yours. You may want to check it out.</p>

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<p>I noticed a big mistake in my post. The college of Fine Art consists of the schools of Design, Art and Drama. They are NOT located in the Collge of Information Technology</p>

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<p>Hi again taxguy…</p>

<p>I’m fairly familiar with CMU. My wife is a graduate, her brother is a graduate, her father retired from a long-held position there, and I was on the staff of the Computer Science Department. Of course, that was a long time ago, but I still visit the school once in a while and we last visited because my son is a senior in high school. Some impressions (that reinforce what you’ve already said):

  1. The caliber of students in the Fine Arts, Drama, Music, Computer Science, and Engineering schools are top-notch (beyond top-notch). Students in the other schools are not exactly slackers either.
  2. One the one hand, I would LOVE for my son to go to CMU. I like the location, the school, the size of the student population, and just about everything EXCEPT the cost. My son didn’t feel too strongly about it one way or the other and we’re not going to push it because we flat-out couldn’t afford it. There are more affordable options available.
  3. The faculty is incredible. When I first moved into my office there, I walked down the hall and found names on the offices that were people that wrote the textbooks I used in grad school.
  4. I haven’t seen any dorm rooms lately, but unless they’ve been upgraded not too long ago, they were nothing really special (but similar to most schools we’ve looked at).
  5. Depending on where you’re from, there might be a culture shock (not a CMU thing, but a regional thing). I was born, raised, and had not traveled much outside the southern part of the US and “northeastern” students were a shock (OK, all you Northeasterners can laugh at me now). Pittsburgh took a bit of getting used to - especially the winters - but I eventually fell in love with the city as well.
  6. IF you can afford CMU (or if you can’t and your income is low enough to qualify for financial aid) and if your S/D can get in, I’d recommend it.</p>

<p>And, as I’ve recommended before, have your S/D get involved with the many extracurricular activities available. That’ll make lots of friends in a hurry.</p>

<p>-digi</p>

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<p>Visited CM and my son did not like it at all. The information session was 1 1/2 hours and totally missed his interest which is pure Math and Physics. They were most interested in showcasing the applied sciences. The tour guides did not seem to like each other and gave a poor impression of the student body and interaction. Pittsburg is a different kind of place and you have to use your imagination to see how the students would fit in but there was a lot of potential. I was disappointed in the Campus as was my son. No columns or ivy in sight which is not a bad thing but was somewhat unattractive in our opinion. My S does not want to apply after this visit. I am hoping he will reconsider. It may have just been a bad set of circumstances.</p>

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<p>Boysmom2, funny how two people who visited the same school could come away with two totally different reviews. I guess it really does depend on the circumstances of the moment.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the report Taxguy. Actually it is not that unusual for two people to come away from a campus visit with a totally different outlook on the school. That is why these visits can be so important because what appeals to one kid would differ from the next. </p>

<p>My oldest D was originally going to apply to Carnegie Mellon, or let’s say it was on her list of schools to visit. We did not end up going there afterall because before we were able to schedule that trip, she had seen Cornell and is considering majoring in architecture but then decided against a five year BArch program but preferred a pre-architecture major in a liberal arts program so that ruled out CMU. </p>

<p>However, my second daughter, a current applicant, is applying to CMU. In her case, the draw is its top rated BFA program in musical theater. Her college search process is not that typical where a student weighs all these various college criteria as she has to go where these professional degree programs are located and there are not a ton of them. And it will come down to which take her. So, it is not like she is in love with that university as much as interested in the program. We have not been able to visit yet. She had an interview with an adcom here in our state recently. We will be going to CMU in Feb. when she must audition there to get in. Her app is in though. But at CMU in her program, 90% of her admission decision is based on her audition! And they only take six boys and six girls. Eek. So a different ballgame. But I do look forward to actually seeing the school and am very interested in reading first hand accounts such as the one you so thoughtfully wrote up. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Our son is at CMU in CS.</p>

<p>Don’t be intimidated by the cost. CMU also gives merit scholarships, and is willing to negotiate. If your son or daughter has great test scores, combined with the love of learning, and decent EC’s, apply and see what happens! You won’t know, unless you apply.</p>

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<p>Oh, I keep forgetting to mention important suggestions: If you visit CMU, bring lots of quarters in case the parking lot is full. You will need them for the meters.</p>

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<p>Great school. Wonderful financial aid which is almost infinitely adjustable for highly desired candidates. Only drawback is the unattractive campus. Nextdoor Pitt feels and looks better, except for its pigeonhole airless dorms.</p>

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<p>My daughter was admitted to CMU (art) but went elsewhere (RISD). CMU has a nice, compact campus, with some well designed buildings but lousy landscaping, IMO, which hurts the overall appearance of the campus.</p>

<p>Unless they’ve built a lot of new studios and other space for artists and designers in the last few years, this aspect needs a major overhaul and upgrade. But without doubt the performance arts facilities are outstanding, and the various art and performance departments are also very good.</p>

<p>The admissions office was well organized and the interviewer was a fine man with whom my daughter got along very well. The chair of the art department kindly gave nearly an hour of her time for a one-on-one interview as well. Unfortunately, the people (from the design department) that CMU sent to the national portfolio day in Chicago that year weren’t so organized or pleasant. That was one of the negatives that entered into my daughter’s ultimate decision to go elsewhere.</p>

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<p>KJOFKW, actually CMU’s merit scholarships are quite paltry. Acccording to the CMU CDS, only 123 of 1341 frosh received merit aid and for those the average merit award was $9831/year. This is the sole reason CMU was not on my sons list of possibles.</p>

<p>CMU isnt that great for need-based aid either. Only 296 of 721 frosh were awarded finaid packages meeting 100% of need. The average package amounted to 85% of need.</p>

<p>However CMU is a great university and could be worth the financial sacrifice for many students and their families.</p>

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<p>Frankly, I can’t imagine CMU giving a large number of students great financial aid bacause of their relatively low endowment ( around 650 million).
Thus, their financial aid has to come out of the full bore tuition that most parents make. </p>

<p>I will note that our tour guide said that “75% if students get financial aid.” However, this can be as low as $1,000 per year!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the detailed report! CMU is far from us, so it would be hard and expensive for my son, a junior to visit. It does, though, seem like a place that he would like.</p>

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<p>My wife reminded me to add something to my post. Whether you like Carnegie Mellon’s landscaping or not, they had a very clean, well- manicured campus. There were no litter, graffiti,or garbage to be found anywhere. They even had the most well-kept bathrooms that I have ever seen with a nice scent device ( can’t think of the name for these things) in each bathroom.</p>

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<p>Taxguy, that was an accurate take on CMU. And you are so right with that gulp on tuition. It must have missed that highest 10 list by pocket change. </p>

<p>I lived near CMU for many years and took advantage of their many cultural activities and resources. One thing I will add is that the Oakland area has many off campus housing options that are way cheaper than the university housing and many kids do go this route and save some money. Also there are many campus jobs available and they used to pay pretty well. Don’t know much about the pay scale now as Pittsburgh has been hit pretty hard economically. And many of the jobs are not the run of the mill waitressing type work. Alot of computer related jobs where you can learn some skills. Also the school likes to staff activities with students rather than pay outsiders. So CMU students can find work readily. That Oakland is right there which is a cultural hub of Pittsburgh makes it easier too. </p>

<p>Pittsburgh is a tad cheaper than most cities also. The food situation was always up in the air at CMU. There were times when they had no central cafeteria. But again, you can find many places to eat in the city, and much of the housing is in the form of apartments or houses so you can prepare your own meals saving a bit of money that way as well. </p>

<p>I always liked CMU.</p>

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<p>Taxguy,
It sounds like you and your D really liked CMU. How have your other visits gone. D is settled in at Pratt and loving it. Keep us informed of your D’s final choices.
Cama</p>

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<p>It would be nice for you to post your description on the individual school page.</p>

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<p>Bettina, Excellent suggestion. I will copy the original post and move it to the CMU individual schools thread. Moderator Skyhawk</p>

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<p>Good post of your initial impression, taxguy. I’m going to my fifth Parents’ Weekend tomorrow morning. As far as the landscaping I agree it could use quite a bit more. However on a campus tour some time ago I recall the story about Mr. Hunt, who donated the $ for the Hunt Library, who specified in 1960 that for the next 50 years no trees should grow between Forbes Ave and the library, so his competitors could gaze from the street at the library he donated. This area happens to include much of the open space of the university. Hopefully beginning in 2010 they’ll do something about it. The open areas do well however for soccer and cricket games.</p>

<p>The architecture is different, very un-ivy, but I’ve come to appreciate the Beaux Arts style of the buildings and consider some actually quite beautiful.
More importantly, the school has been everything and more in my opinion. Incredible faculty, plenty of opportunities. S did research 1 summer and had substantial internships 3 more summers, headed to his “dream” (his word) job in NYC after graduation. Thankfully he received some aid and it certainly is expensive but no more than any good private school.</p>

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<p>We will be touring RISD, RIT, Pratt, MICA,VCU and Syracuse. I will post my impressions after I see each school.</p>

<p>I have posted my CMU post in the CMU site as well.</p>

<p>2331clk, actually, it was the guy ( maybe Hunt) who was president of ALCOA who donated a building and required two things for his donation: 1. The building must be made out of Aluminum (duh), and 2. There must be a unimpeded view of the building from Forbes road. This 50 year mandate runs out in a few years.</p>

<p>CAMA, I do remember you. You and I have exchanged posts about Pratt. My daughter was the one in a humanities magnet school that didn’t want to go to a stand alone art school. I would be very interested in seeing your daughter’s impression of Pratt when she enters the second semester and also at the end of next year too. How is she doing in her humanities electives?</p>