Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Carnegie Mellon University
- Who can apply
- Current 11th graders
- Cost
- Free
- Deadline
- Feb 1, 2027
- Where
- Pittsburgh, PA
Private
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
Private
Carnegie Mellon University
Admit Rate
12%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Ultra-Selective
GPA Range (Unweighted)
3.89 - 4.00
Cost of Attendance
$83,654
per year, before aid
Test Policy
Depends on your college‡ (source: Carnegie Mellon standardized testing · 2026-27 · accessed Oct 7, 2026)
The School of Computer Science requires an SAT or ACT score. Five units - Engineering, Dietrich, the Heinz Information Systems programme, the Mellon College of Science and Tepper - are test flexible: a test is required, but IB, AP, A-Level or the French Baccalaureate may stand in for the SAT or ACT. The College of Fine Arts is test optional and requires a portfolio or audition.
Data sourced from IPEDS, Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.
Preparation
Helpful high school preparation
AP Calculus BCLinear AlgebraAP Physics C: MechanicsAP Computer Science A
This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.
Admissions
How admission works here
- Where you apply
- The Common App. Common App requirements grid
- Essays
- The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
- Recommendations
- 1 teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, a mid-year report. Common App requirements grid
- Application fee
- $75. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
- Deadlines
- Early Decision (binding) November 2, Regular Decision January 4. Common App requirements grid
Overall
12%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
In-State
12%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Out-of-State
10%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Overall is College Scorecard's verified figure and won't necessarily sit between the separately-reported In-State/Out-of-State rates shown here, which are what My Fit uses to classify your chances.
Mid-50% Unweighted GPA
3.89 - 4.00
Mid-50% SAT
1500 - 1570
Depends on your college
Top 10 majors
- 1Computer Science
- 2Electrical Engineering
- 3Business Administration
- 4Statistics
- 5Systems Science and Theory
- 6Mechanical Engineering
- 7Information Technology
- 8Artificial Intelligence
- 9Chemical Engineering
- 10Biomedical Engineering
Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so Carnegie Mellon University may call a major something slightly different.
Applying
Application Deadlines† (source: Common App requirements grid · 2026-27)
Early Decision
November 2 · Binding
Regular Decision
January 4 · Non-binding
Applying through the Common App
- Application fee
- $75
- Common App fee waiver
- Accepted
- Common App personal essay
- Required
- Self-reported courses and grades
- Required
- Recommendations
- 1 teacher recommendation, counselor recommendation, mid-year report
Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.
Essay details are being verified
College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.
View official application requirementsMusic & Sports Tracks
Sports
NCAA Division III
Varsity sports (9)
BasketballFootballGolfSoccerSoftballSwimming and divingTennisTrack and field and cross countryVolleyball
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25) Internships & Programs
AI Scholars
Carnegie Mellon University
- Who can apply
- Current 11th graders
- Cost
- Free
- Deadline
- Feb 1, 2027
- Where
- Pittsburgh, PA
CS Scholars
Carnegie Mellon University
- Who can apply
- Current 10th graders
- Cost
- Free
- Deadline
- Feb 1, 2027
- Where
- Pittsburgh, PA
Academics
Flagship Programs
School of Computer Science (SCS)School of Drama (Directing/Acting/Design)Tepper School of Business (B.S. Business Analytics)
Career & Major Pathways
Primary Disciplines
Computer ScienceEngineeringFine ArtsBusiness
Interdisciplinary Pathways
BXA Intercollege Degree Programs (BCSA, BHA, BSA)Robotics Institute undergraduate minorHuman-Computer InteractionBS in Statistics & Machine Learning (Dietrich College + School of Computer Science)
Cost
Cost of attendance, per year
$83,654* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.
Tuition only (part of the cost above)
Tuition $66,246* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Financial Aid
What families actually paid, by household income
Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.
- Under $30,000
- $9,097
- $30,001 – $48,000
- $6,994
- $48,001 – $75,000
- $14,468
- $75,001 – $110,000
- $24,865
- Over $110,000
- $51,480
College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024
Estimate what your family would pay
Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.
Scholarships and merit aid
CMU's merit scholarships are limited to a handful of specific programs, so most admitted students should plan around need-based aid rather than count on a merit award.
Campus
Campus Fit
Location
Pittsburgh, PA· Urban
Undergraduates
7,377
Setting
Urban
In a fraternity or sorority
Not publicly reported
Living on campus
Not publicly reported
*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024
†Common App requirements grid · 2026-27
‡Carnegie Mellon standardized testing · 2026-27 · accessed Oct 7, 2026