<p>Sorry to bust your bubble, but your mom’s status as a “researcher” has no bearing on your status as an applicant. Better chances if you actually got yourself a job in the lab and some prof wrote on your behalf.
Unless your mom is a Dean or some highly ranked person-- even then, it’s really not relevant to decision making.</p>
<p>Like others said-- if you want someone to chance you, post your stats. MCS is less competitive than CIT, SCS and Arch-- so above average stats will get you in. </p>
<p>You need to call admissions and schedule your own interview-- it’s also less than 1/2 of 1% a factor in admissions. It’s meant to serve as information session for you.<br>
If you’re gung ho thrilled about CMU - then apply ED and express that in an interview. Even as local Pitt applicant, still schedule the campus visit and the interview— try the November sleeping bag weekend.</p>
<p>Again- your mom’s employment status in this case has no bearing on your chances (here at CMU or anywhere for that matter).</p>
<p>For purposes of college admission in schools with legacy preferences, the definition of “legacy” is: “my parent graduated from CMU as an UNDERGRAD” (legacy status not defined by graduate degrees either).</p>