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Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 3
You Have:
The Requirements: 3 short essays of 300 words
Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Short Answer
Admissions wants to know about “your passions, goals, aspirations, and experiences to gain a deeper understanding of who you are…beyond a list of accomplishments.” In these three supplemental essays, they’re asking what drives you, what you’re looking for in a school, and what you feel is missing from the rest of your application. All of these prompts focus on your passions, so try to think of specific moments, ideas, or experiences that have shaped you. As with all admissions essays, you will want to infuse your response with details that will differentiate you from other applicants. Keep reading for more CMU application essay tips!
So many factors go into shaping your educational experience: course selection, professors, classmates, campus culture, even the city where you’ll live. Think through how each of these will affect you and jot down some examples of what you’re looking for in each. Do you value a professor who is accessible via office hours? Do you focus well in a stadium-seating lecture hall? Are you excited to start a small study group for your Shakespeare: Comedies and Romances literature course? Additionally, do some research on their website and show them that you value what they specifically have to offer. Give them a peek into how you learn and help them visualize you as a thriving student in their community.
This prompt sounds simple enough: describe what you want to study and why you like it so much so that you’re willing to dedicate four years of your life to it (at the very least). While you might be tempted to get technical or poetic in your response, your reader will expect you to connect your intended major with some prior experience and/or passion. In other words, tell a story. Lucky for you, we would have advised you to start with an anecdote anyway. The most personal, memorable essays spring from concrete descriptions of your lived experience. What excites you and why? When was the last time you got drawn down a Reddit rabbit hole – and what was the topic? While you don’t need to drill to the origin of your interest in a given topic, try to zero in on some formative experience: the best TED Talk you ever watched, the first time you spoke to your new friend in ASL, that one time when you shadowed an EMT and saw what it’s like to help people in need! Your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study. And don’t forget: CMU asks what passion OR inspiration led you to choose this area of study. You can also talk about a particularly powerful book you read or a life-changing experience that set you on this path. Just make sure to use details to bring your story to life.
This prompt is a kind of free for all opportunity. Much like Common App’s prompt #7, CMU is giving you free reign to write about any topic under the sun. If you’re overwhelmed by all the potential possibilities, don’t fret. Instead take a breath and ask yourself: What doesn’t admissions know about me yet? What do I wish I’d had more space to write about on my resume or activity list? If you’ve written a supplemental essay for another school about a particularly rewarding activity, this is an excellent place to tweak and recycle that essay. Almost any essay that you have already written in response to supplemental essay prompts for other schools will be applicable here, as long as it doesn’t address what you want to study or how you work with others. If you haven’t already drafted any others supplemental essays that would fit here, feel free to seek inspiration in the prompts for other schools (ideally the ones on your list). Worst case scenario, revisit your personal statement brainstorming notes and think about the topics that you almost wrote about. Can you write about any of those memories or stories in 200 words?
We have been reading Carnegie Mellon University essays for over twenty years now, so we know a thing or two about the most common mistakes students make. The most common mistakes to avoid are repeating the prompt in your essay (don’t waste your words), trying to sound like an academic (admissions wants to hear your authentic voice!), and using cliches (they’re ineffective and—let’s face it—lazy).
We at College Essay Advisors have been guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the CMU supplements for over twenty years. We take a holistic approach to these essays, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. Our Advisors accommodate each student’s scheduling needs to virtually brainstorm, draft, and revise winning essays. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful Carnegie Mellon University supplemental essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances.
Carnegie Mellon requires applicants to submit three (3) essays.
As with all supplemental essays, the admissions committee at Carnegie Mellon University is hoping to learn more about you. With these questions, specifically, CMU is curious to learn more about your goals, aspirations, and what’s important to you. In order to give your application an edge, you’ll want to be as thoughtful and specific as possible to show admissions that you’ve done your research, developed a plan, and are ready to contribute to their campus community and beyond.
In order to make your Carnegie Mellon essays stand out, we recommend giving yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, reflect on your aspirations, and piece together cohesive narratives that reveal new information about who you are and what you hope to accomplish without relying on common cliches.
Each CMU essay should be 300 words maximum.
"[My son] was accepted at Carnegie Mellon. Yay and thank you!!! He earned a 4-year ROTC scholarship, too!!"
– CEA Parent, CMU, Class of 2024
"It's a good feeling to be able to submit an application with essays that give such an accurate portrayal of my strengths and sentiments. I'm so glad I found you."
– CEA Student, CMU, Class of 2027
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