cmu ece video essay

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Carnegie Mellon University Essays 2023-2024

Tucked away in Steelers country, otherwise known as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, lies the 153 acre campus of Carnegie Mellon University. CMU is home to just under 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled across its seven schools and colleges.

Priding itself on copious opportunities as a research university, as well as the achievements of its student body and alumni, Carnegie Mellon offers students the opportunity to pursue real-world solutions alongside award-winning faculty across all disciplines. In fact, CMU is consistently ranked in the top 30 universities and is considered one of the very best for computer science. 

As part of the application process, prospective students are required to respond to three 300-word prompts, and one optional 150-word prompt. However, students shouldn’t look at the supplements as a chore. As the admission process for CMU becomes more selective, its supplemental essays provide an increasingly vital opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from the pack. Keep reading for our suggestions on how to tackle this year’s supplemental responses.

Read these Carnegie Mellon essay examples to inspire your own writing.

Carnegie Mellon University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 2 (required): Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 words)

Prompt 3 (required): Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 words)

Prompt 4 (optional): When it comes to deciding whether to submit standardized test scores, occasionally applicants want us to better understand the individual context of their decision. If you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, please share any information about your decision here. This is an optional question for those who may want to provide additional context for consideration. (150 words)

Prompt 1 (Required)

Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study (300 words).

Many schools require a “ Why This Major? ” prompt to assess your interest in your chosen area of study. This prompt asks this standard question, but with a particular emphasis on how past experiences have influenced your desire to study your prospective major, rather than what you hope to achieve by studying it.

A successful execution of this prompt will:

• Elaborate on the path that led you to choose your major
• Show the admissions committee why you deserve to pursue this major at their school.

The latter doesn’t necessarily need to be explicit. Instead, reflect on your path in a way that demonstrates intellectual curiosity, creativity, and passion for what it is you hope to pursue at the college level. 

You can take a few different approaches when answering this prompt. The first is a narrative arc or anecdote. Think back to a salient moment in which you realized the importance of your prospective major to you. Perhaps you were in a robotics competition and after weeks of laboring, your robot finally moved. Maybe that was the moment when you knew for sure that this was the path you needed to pursue. This response could start something like this: 

“I couldn’t believe my ears the first time Sparky whirred to life. After weeks of toiling, I watched him wheel across the classroom floor, rhythmically belting out the tell-tale beeps I had coded him to make with each turn.”

Here’s what telling that story does. First, it shows tenacity—even after weeks of failure, you didn’t give up. Second, it shows innovation. And third, CMU just happens to be known for offering a robotics major, so even without being explicit, you just told the admissions committee exactly why you belong at CMU!

Stories are a great method for drawing in your reader and creating pathos. The trick, however, is to not get so caught up in the narration that you fill your 300 words without actually saying anything. If you’re going the anecdote route, ask yourself the following questions:

• Did I answer the prompt?
• Does the story I just told show why I’m passionate about the major I’ve chosen?
• Have I demonstrated that CMU is the right place for me?

Don’t say you want to pursue a major in underwater basket-weaving if CMU doesn’t offer that (just an example, but you get the idea).

Do mention, either briefly or implicitly, how CMU would allow you to continue pursuing and developing your passion.

Let’s move on to the second method of answering this prompt, we’ll refer to it as the chronological method.

You may not be able to fully answer the prompt with just one moment or story. That’s okay! An alternative is to briefly list key moments, progressions, or accomplishments leading up to your decision. Here’s an example:

“From writing short stories as a seven year old to winning my first prose contest in high school, creative writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.”

Unlike the narrative arc method, this example is neither a story nor a specific event. Instead, it shows how creative writing has been pivotal to your life for years. Though arguably less compelling than a story, this method has the bonus of demonstrating growth, long-term commitment, and development. Being that CMU is one of the only universities to offer a BA in creative writing, it also shows why you’d be applying.

This same method will work if you choose to talk about who or what inspired you. However, this comes with a warning. If you choose to talk about a person or work that inspired you, ensure that you don’t only write about said person or work. If the admissions committee learns more about the Pulitzer prize winner whose work inspired you than they do about you and your work, reassess whether this is a beneficial inclusion.

Prompt 2 (Required)

Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. as you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience (300 words).

This essay provides you with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your passion for CMU and your understanding of its available opportunities. While the prompt doesn’t explicitly ask you “ Why This School? ,” it does asks you to discuss two things:

• The explicit question: what do you hope to accomplish in your undergraduate degree program? 
• The implicit question: how is CMU uniquely equipped to help you realize those goals?

While the explicit question is definitely important to address, tackling the implicit question through the use of specific examples and thoughtful reflection will allow your essay to stand out among other applicants. 

Think about your expectations for your college experience. Perhaps it’s really important to you to have substantive research experiences under your belt as an undergraduate student, since you want to pursue an MD-PhD. 

What specific projects and topics might you be looking to pursue? How will studying at Carnegie Mellon enable you to pursue these projects and ideas? Briefly reflecting on Carnegie Mellon’s financial investment in undergraduate research as you answer this prompt, for example, can help demonstrate both your familiarity with the university and its resources as well as your alignment with its culture and values. 

Perhaps you are hoping to apply your textbook knowledge within a broader context through community engagement. CMU empowers its students to tackle problems and issues that matter in hopes that its students will be leaders in improving the world around them. Consequently, discussing your interest in taking your learning outside of the classroom with the support of the Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Civic Engagement would not only speak to your metrics regarding a successful college experience, but also show how you might add to the CMU community as an undergraduate and beyond.

Whatever your goals may be, ensure that your essay has a clear “why.” Rather than simply stating that you want to join the college orchestra, explain that you want to do so because playing the cello in high school has allowed you to form meaningful relationships with other musicians and life mentors. Playing music has taught you the importance of teamwork and dedication, and you want to continue cultivating these relationships and skills in college. 

The point here isn’t to draft a college bucket list, but instead to reflect on what elements of the college experience, outside of the day-to-day coursework, you’re looking forward to as a prospective student. Be true to yourself and your goals, and speak honestly about what it is you hope to accomplish as an undergraduate student at CMU.

Prompt 3 (Required)

Consider your application as a whole. what do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 words).

This is your chance to show the admissions committee exactly what makes you special. Within the confines of the word limit, the options are endless. But don’t get bogged down by the possibilities! 

So, how do you know what’s worth writing about?

Is there something you mentioned on your Common App that you feel the need to elaborate? The topic of this essay should not be even remotely similar to the subject of your personal statement. Think of your essays as a portfolio; they should be complementary without being redundant. For example, if your passions are science and wildlife, and your personal statement is about wildlife, make this prompt about science.

Is there something you haven’t been able to mention anywhere else that you’re dying to talk about? Let your personality shine through. Whether your passion of choice is volunteering with animals, taking apart computers, or almost anything else, it can have a place in this prompt. However, it shouldn’t be so random that it doesn’t say anything about you as an applicant.

Here’s a good example: “I buy postcards but never send them. My collection is from all over the world, ranging from Tanzania to New Caledonia. Each postcard tied to a travel story. The postcard of the Dolomites? That’s where I went on a 3-day backpacking trip with my family. The postcard with a sketch of takoyaki? I bought it because I wanted to remember the delicious meals my Japanese host family made me.”

See how this paints a picture of a student eager to learn and expand their horizons?

Now here’s a bad example: “I like watching Netflix in my free time.”

Does that tell the admissions officers something that helps them envision a contributing member of the CMU community? Not particularly.

Basically, use this as an opportunity to show your personality and your passion. Narrow in on something pivotal to your identity, and make sure it still shows CMU why you’re a great fit. If you have a story, accomplishment, or passion that shows you possess drive, an entrepreneurial spirit, or a similar embodiment of the values of CMU, here’s the place to show it. However, if you’ve already said it in another CMU essay or in your personal statement, don’t say it again!

So, there you have it for the required prompts! At the end of the day, you want all three essays to answer the prompts in a way that screams ‘you.’ The more of your personality in the essays, the better. Whether you’re reflecting on how your first broken bone led you to pursue medicine or discussing how synchronized swimming deepened your capacity for empathy and collaboration, remember to always be open and honest as you tell your story.  

Prompt 4 (optional)

When it comes to deciding whether to submit standardized test scores, occasionally applicants want us to better understand the individual context of their decision. if you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, please share any information about your decision here. this is an optional question for those who may want to provide additional context for consideration. (150 words).

This prompt applies to those who have either opted out of taking standardized tests, have chosen not to submit their scores, or have other circumstances surrounding their scores. Here, Carnegie Mellon gives applicants a chance to explain the reasons behind these circumstances. 

Standardized testing disadvantages many groups of people, especially low-income students. With the pandemic, it’s also likely that students won’t have had as many opportunities to take tests, if at all. Students may also have other extenuating life experiences or circumstances that affected their ability to take or do well on the test. 

Whatever your circumstances, Carnegie Mellon gives you 150 words, so avoid including long anecdotes or excess background information. State your reason(s) clearly and concisely, in a matter-of-fact way. This section might be optional, but you should treat it with the same care as your answers to the other prompts. Your writing should carry the same level of poise as your other responses. 

There are some cases, however, where you might choose to forego this prompt. If you chose not to submit a score because you underperformed, and there wasn’t necessarily an extenuating circumstance, then you could leave your response blank. If you performed poorly and didn’t submit your score because you were recovering from a concussion, then you might respond to this essay. Otherwise, telling the admissions office that you got a low score defeats the purpose of not submitting your score.

Where to Get Your Carnegie Mellon Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your CMU essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of engineering, sood named schmidt science fellow.

Sood joins a community of scientists and supporters who seek to drive sector-wide change by pursuing interdisciplinary research.

Celebration of Education Awards

Blanton, Murdock, and Sood receive the university award for exemplifying CMU's standards of excellence in education.

Kar and Parno Receive Professorships

Professorships are reserved for those who show continued contributions in their field.

Parry Receives Goldwater Scholarship

Katherine Parry has received the 2024 Barry Goldwater Scholarship to support her pursuit of a research career.

Employment opportunities

Apply to our programs

Learn about our research

News mentions

Kumar receives acm sigmobile rockstar award, faculty selected for un-led working group on dpi safeguards, the art of science and music, pursuing and imparting knowledge.

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students
• Faculty & staff

Latest from YouTube

Upcoming Events

• May 12 - May 12 Commencement

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Frequently asked questions

Are you interested in applying to CMU-Africa but have questions about the application process, tuition and financial aid, or our master's degree programs? Please contact us at  [email protected] .

• Step 1: Submit an online application
• Step 2: Complete competency tests
• Tuition and financial aid
• Why CMU-Africa?
• Info sessions

Updated for fall 2024 application

What are the admission deadlines?

October 1: Applications for all programs open

December 15: Early admission deadline

January 15: Final application deadline

What do I need to submit for my application to be considered complete?

A complete application consists of a filled online application, response to the essay and video questions, CV/Resume, contact details of three referees, and unofficial transcripts. In addition, you can submit Duolingo English Test (DET), TOEFL, or IELTS score reports if you have them; CMU-Africa covers DET test fees for first-time applicants who submitted their applications before the early admission deadline of December 15.

• Essays: You must answer a few questions in an essay format on the online application portal and one video essay.
• CV/Resume: You should upload your resume as a PDF file. The document uploaded should be at most two pages; additional pages will not be considered.
• MSECE: Your referees will receive a link to the online recommendation form. The recommendation must be completed and submitted online.
• MSIT/MSEAI: The Admissions Team will contact your references as needed.
• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts showing awarded grades to all coursework up to date must be uploaded to the online application portal and the school information entered. All the transcripts must be uploaded as individual files if you have completed multiple degrees. Upon admission, the Admissions Team will require an official hard copy of your transcripts sent by the Registrar of your Undergraduate institution.

First-time user vs. Returning user

Please review the graduate application process . Visit the application page to start your application.

• You are considered a first-time user if you are applying to MSIT, MSEAI, or MSECE for the first time. You will be required to create an account and start a new application.
• You are a returning MSIT, MSEAI, or MSECE applicant reapplying to the same program.
• You are a returning MSIT, MSEAI, or MSECE applicant applying to a different program.
• You have already created an application this cycle.

What are the English proficiency requirements for admission?

All non-native English speakers must submit at least one valid score report from one of the following examinations: IELTS , TOEFL , or the Duolingo English Test (DET) to fulfill the English proficiency requirement.

Only applicants with undergraduate degrees in residence in the US, UK, or Canada (excluding Quebec) are exempt from providing English language exam scores with their application.

We recommend that students have a minimum of 79 on TOEFL, 6.5 on IELTS, and 120 on DET. Students with lower English proficiency levels might be required to take the Academic Skills course in their first year.

Will you accept the ETS Tests Home Testing?

Do I need to submit my application with TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores?

If you have them, you can submit TOEFL , IELTS , or DET scores with your application to fulfill the English proficiency requirement.

CMU-Africa will cover DET fees for first-time applicants who submit their applications by the December 15 early application deadline. Returning applicants will be required to take the tests at their own cost.

If you submit your application after the early admission deadline of December 15 , you MUST submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English test scores or indicate a date you plan to take the test.

Can I self-report my TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English test (DET) scores?

Where should I send the results of my TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English test (DET) scores?

To submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores, please use the following information and ensure you send your test scores in time to meet the admissions deadline:

• DET: indicate Carnegie Mellon University Africa as a recipient.
• TOEFL: request ETS to send your scores to Carnegie Mellon University, Institution Code: 2074.
• Account Name: Carnegie Mellon University
• Address: Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering 431 Hamerschlag Drive Ansys Hall Suite 250 Pittsburgh, PA 15213

I submitted my score reports. Have they been received?

To complete your IELTS , TOEFL , or the Duolingo English Test (DET) requirements, you must follow the following steps:

• You must submit your test/score information with your application. If you had previously entered a "pending" test into your application, you must log back in and enter the scores and test data.
• You must request the testing center (ETS/Duolingo/IELTS) to send CMU the official scores.

It may take several days for CMU to receive and verify your scores.

Please note that the system may not be able to link scores to an application in which the names are entered differently. If you believe there is a discrepancy between the name in your application and your name in the ETS/Duolingo/IELTS system, please email us at [email protected] , and we will check your scores.

Is the GRE required to complete my application?

Do I need to go through any other assessment?

What is the minimum GPA required for admission?

How much is the application fee?

There is no application fee for the fall 2024 intake application. 

How can I check my application status?

Can I update my application after it has been submitted?

Limited sections of the online application will remain open. Applicants can still update their resume (CV) and test scores after applying. To edit your application, simply log into your application to upload a new document.

MS ECE applicants can also make changes to their referees. After logging in, you can send a reminder, request new letters, and exclude letters.

Applications officially close on January 15. Applicants cannot make any changes to their applications after that date.

For any other inquiries regarding your application, please contact our Admissions team at [email protected] .

MS ECE program: One of my recommenders did not receive a request to submit my letter of recommendation. What should I do?

Are all applicants considered for financial aid? Is there a separate financial aid form?

I already have a graduate degree; can I still apply?

I do not have a background in ECE, engineering, or IT. Can I still apply?

Can I apply for more than one program?

Can I pursue a graduate degree on a part-time basis?

Does CMU-Africa admit students to enter in the spring semester?

Where do I mail my transcript(s) after I am admitted?

Can I defer my admission once admitted?

Can I withdraw a submitted application?

If I am not admitted, can I reapply?

Yes, you can apply again for the next application. All that is required is for you to log in as a returning user to continue your application and make sure you submit it before the deadline to be considered for admission.

Your new application will retain some previously entered biographical information. However, some sections, including your program selection, must be completed again. Each section must be reviewed/updated and saved to complete the new cycle application process to ensure you have submitted the most updated information.

You do not need to request ETS to send new official scores if you had requested them with your previous application unless you have retaken the tests and have updated scores.

I have more questions; who can I address them to?

• Explore Kigali Innovation City
• Understand life in Rwanda
• Take a look at our Flickr page for a view into life at CMU-Africa

嘀～您收到一份卡内基梅隆Video Essay视频面试

梨公益 | 卡内基·梅隆 Video Essay

【该部分你将听到如下内容】 申请冲刺季，一只梨帮大家做了研究 结合近年来的优秀成果案例 15个CMU/1个MIT大满贯 导师团初步沟通了关于Video EssayPoints 奇葩Q&A互动问答 在各种无效信息和渲染恐慌的阶段 我们更需要业内专业人士的倾囊相授

三种常见投递类型 拍摄Video Essay，直接给offer，视频面试

各个学校要求不太一样，有的学校要求比较奇特，对于申请的同学会有额外的要求，尤其是 顶尖院校 比如皇家艺术学院RCA，阿尔托、卡耐基梅隆CMU、UCLA。大多数院校要求拍摄Video Essay。 80%的院校 都是第一波申请完之后，它就会决定要不要你，比如米兰理工，美国的大多数院校，都是直接给offer。

还有一些学校申请之后会给你一次 面试机会 ，比如皇家艺术学院，香港理工，他们会和申请者有一个面对面的沟通。两三个老师一起，尤其是特殊情况下，如果知道是中国学生的话，旁边还会有一个博士或者助理研究生协助沟通，希望能够全面地了解申请者的一个背景条件，情况的属实性，你现场的沟通情况。面试大概15到20分钟，再过大概一个礼拜左右发正式offer。

公益分享主题「Video Essay」的起因

今天分享的主题是Video Essay，因为梨爸Tony收到了申请CMU的同学de 诉求，或者对Video Essay主题比较感兴趣。 上述的三种投递之后的类型，除了CMU之外的话也会经历，比如奇特又苛刻的麻省理工的面试，想了解的话，可以跳转 《MIT告诉你，最不按套路出牌的面试究竟长啥样？》 ，面试要签保密协议，面试的问题都不能透露。MIT面试上来之后就问，假如你是一棵树，你怎么样去感知这个世界，你会怎么想？ DDL逼近，就问你怕不怕？别慌！ 梨爸Tony携手CMU导师团陈红雨导师一起拯救你的发（申）际（请）线（季）！

Video Essay既没有标准答案，也没有标准问题 考察现场沟通能力，英语流畅程度，遇到问题坦然面对 Video Essay是比较random随机的状态， 没有标准答案，也没有标准问题 。但是红雨老师非常用心地整理一些题库过往的题库。梨CMU导师团大概的反馈就是，这些问题相对来讲都比较随机，什么都会有，有的会问你生活中的问题，问你最近在干什么事情，你读的书，你喜欢的设计师诸如此类。那么你的回答也不一定和academic相挂钩，不一定是体现专业性。 那么在回答的时候，主要还是看你们的 现场沟通，表现能力 。所以一定要放松，遇到任何的问题的话，那就坦然面对，如果说想要去了解面试的问题的话，怎么样 化被动为主动 ，参考MIT 《面试来了，莫慌！》 ，以及上次Tony指导 申请哈佛和MIT的黄晨学长 面试，有现场的一些问题解读。

所以我们主要是考虑在短时间之内 临场发挥的能力以及英语的流畅程度 。一个就是现场发挥，场控，还有就是你英语沟通的自由度。怎么样提前准备，网上可以看一些题库。 问题包括你的未来的规划，你喜欢的设计，你喜欢的设计作品，你喜欢的设计师，都有可能，所以到时候的状态就当做是你们考托福时候的练题，考雅思、托福练题的状态，把它当口语去对待。希望到时候 遇到任何问题不要慌 ，就是像我们聊天的状态。

面试，是展示能力的另一面， 是补充，是加分项，并不像硬性考试 红雨导师：面试其实就是对我们另外一个能力面的补充，并不像硬性考试一样，大家千万不要拿着压力去看待这个面试，把它就当作对方院校，想更了解你一样，类似就跟你聊聊会儿天之类的。 我以前投递院校的时候，不管是人面的还是机器面，最后 并不会说把面试作为非常严格的唯一的让你过or不过的标准 ，最多是作为一个补充。我觉得我们要换一种心态，看作附加题。就对我来说，是一道附加题，我发挥的好，那最棒；发挥的不好其实也没有关系。不要带着压力去看待。

往年CMU面试题基本会比较像托福口语题，在申请网页里点开一个屏幕机器录制即可。面试官会收集录制视频再回去看，并不是直播面试，所以大家更不需要紧张，干脆把它当成托福考试一样。而且大家想申请CMU的话，相信大家在托福的考试中成绩肯定也不低，所以英语语言这方面对大家来说都不是太大的问题。 虽然是一个附加题，我们还是需要稍微有 针对性地准备 。CMU MIPS是设计学院、工程学院、商学院三个学院合办的项目。目前可能有些教师资源的一些调整，稍微偏向HCI一点。除了设计能力之外，整体还是会比较看重 跨专业合作能力 。

设计能力，专业能力，学习能力，沟通能力， 跨专业合作，综合素质全面发展 通过题库你会发现，CMU更专注于了解你本身的 综合素质 ，除了设计硬件条件专业能力之外，院校还想了解比较general的点，比如你是如何和别人沟通学习的。院校想知道你的可塑性。比如入学前你的专业能力弱一点也没有关系，院校主要想知道你这个人是否好学，学习能力是他们教学产生比较重要的决定因素。 如果你的专业能力弱一点，但是你 学习能力 很好，和别人 沟通能力 很好，尤其现在不管是公司还是学校里面，大家和不同专业的人，跨团队合作的这种机会是很多的，所以如果你在面试中有实例去证明，表明你这几个方面的能力还不错的，那这道附加题你能拿到比较高的分数。

Video Essay不一定直接会影响你的最后录取结果，但 至少会是一项比较高的加分项 。做过一点研究的同学会发现题库是最近几年比较常见常用的，大家有时间可以把它当做就是以前托考托福口语的准备。之前是怎么样准备，现在也可以这样准备这类题目。

Video Essay出题形式是给你30秒或者60秒准备，用三分钟时间去回答。以前是一分半时间回答，但是最近增加到三分钟180秒。所以在这时候，我们可以稍微加点例子把三分钟给填满。 一般两三道，也可能就问一道题，让你去作答。题目也是比较随机形式。我觉得我们可以从就是刚刚讲的标准来看一下，就几个比较常见的题目进行分析。

Video Essay 随机题库

「STAR」项目面试阐述原则

「STAR」项目面试阐述原则S：Situation T：Task A：Action R：Result 第一个问题What’s the most creative thing you’ve ever done?你最具有创造性的事情是什么？招聘官想了解一下你觉得自己过去做过最有具有创造性的事情是什么？拿到这个问题，我们可以运用「STAR」项目面试阐述原则来回答。 S：Situation ，解释你当时所所处在的situation是什么，你当时的处境是什么？比如我做过一个最有创造的事情是当我就遇到比较困难的设计问题就是我当时拿到的某个项目我可能觉得这确实是常见的一个痛点，或者说在平时生活中我奶奶在生活中遇到了问题，某个东西很不好用。这就是一个situation。 简单的把自己的处境稍微讲一讲。 T：Task ， 这时候你在特定处境下，你要做什么任务 ，比如说我奶奶觉得，使用细筷子不太灵活。她拿着筷子吃饭的时候感觉很不舒服，手不舒服，而且很容易发酸。所以，我要resign筷子这一小项目。 A：Action ，你要 说明在这个设计里，你做的action是什么 。可能我做的action是我先去做了一些快速的竞品调研，看一下海内外东西方的就餐文化，他们对筷子或者刀叉的新设计有哪些，就是专门为老年人设计的那些东西有什么？接着我做了一个表格来梳理竞品调研。 梳理之后，我觉得A竞品可能做的比较好，但是它是一个叉子，可能A手柄的宽度、长度、手握方式对老年人来说比较友好。所以，我从那一点去入手，把idea转换到筷子里面，做了一些小模型的测试。然后拿给其他人用，再看一下用户的反馈，再重新打磨迭代一下，最后做出了一个我奶奶用着比较舒服，她也挺喜欢的老年人专用筷子。 R：Result ，要讲一下结果，我们做了这件事情之后，凡事都会有个结果。可能不单单我奶奶会比较喜欢，我也逐渐推广到她的朋友圈、附近的老年人，或者其他一些老年社区。他们也遇到了同样的问题，所以我也把设计出来的筷子慢慢推广给他们，让他们一起用。 逐渐把用户群体泛化了，于是就会有一种量化的结果。

这三分钟讲下来有了 situation，有了你的task，也有你在中间所做的一些行为action，以及最后的结果 ，那这个三分钟的话，其实会讲的东西会比较饱满，对方也会能够根据你的实际例子， 了解你做事的方式以及对创新的态度是什么样的 。按照这样回答下来的话，其实我相信不管是什么题目给到大家，其实都是可以比较容易地去回答的，而且回答应该还是不错的结果。

剩下的一些题目，我觉得大家也不需要一个一个剖析，也可以用类似的一个方法去想一想，如果是你，你应该怎么去回答。还有一个技巧，用同一个例子去套，所以大家在想的时候先去想好一个之前用过的一个例子。 如果我用回之前那个例子，这个题目可不可以套进去？如果可行的话，会减少很多准备成本，我们不需要准备那么多的例子，而是尽量准备一个比较万能的例子。但是这个比较讨巧的方式，对时间紧的同学来说会节省很多时间成本。

Q&A互动环节，犀利奇葩问题来袭 面试时长、着装、背景、光线，思维逻辑...... 及时回复邮件，经常查看邮箱，包括垃圾邮箱

• Q：TL都由哪些角色担任？

红雨导师：有同学问Technical leader，TL，我知道你这个名词是从哪儿要用在哪个地方，比方我们在公司里面有一个strong team。一个strong team，有一个TL就是technical leader，它一般是developer software engineer出身，然后他会作为一个leader的角色去分配每个队员的工作任务。 TL应该是根据公司的不同而不同 。大部分公司会让developer来当，也有公司会让designer，甚至是copywriter来当TL。

• Q2：一个问题已经说了三分钟了，怎么办，会限时吗？

红雨导师： 每个问题三分钟 ，就跟你考托福分开录音一样，VE也是分开录屏。一个问题结束之后，才会问你下一个问题。 讲的时候尽量保持顺畅 。比方说什么时候突然卡住了，讲不出来的时候，大家就尽量不要emmm嗯嗯啊啊。你可以就不说话，就停顿一下，反而对方可能会觉得你在做一些思考。 或者一些比较常见的那种话，就是帮助你思考，你就可以说This is really a good question. Let me think about this one.为自己争取几秒钟的时间做调整。大家可以拿着题目，自己尝试着开始录好之后再看一遍，你会很容易地发现，如果你一直在嗯嗯啊啊的话会比较尴尬，反而暂停一下不说话的节奏会OK一点。 Tony导师：我补充一点，你拿到一个问题之后，其实你可以有10~20秒的思考时间， 主要是在脑袋里面先过一遍回答问题的逻辑 。不要一拿到问题就开始回答，比方说你面试完之后自己都不知道回答成什么样子，所以一定是先知道这个问题想了解哪几个点，比方说最基础的话，你可以把它分成两三个点去介绍。 遇到一些稍微比较特殊情况的话，你可以在脑子里面过一下，我主要是想讲什么东西。不要把它当成一次面试，而是把它当成一个朋友间的交流，就是一个朋友问你最近在干什么，跟你寒暄的状态，你大概有 明确的表达思路 。 红雨导师：对，而且video essay可控变量，不像真人面试，不太好把握，因为每个面试官都有不一样的mind-set，或者可能同一个面试官，他在每天不同时间段跟你面，他的情绪态度都会不太一样。但是机器帮你录制的时候，你受外界因素影响比较小。所以 大家都处在一种比较公平的状态 。 现在有些学校会节省一些面试资源，也会采用VE面试模式。对大家来说，有好也有坏，好的是大家都处在一个比较公平统一的标准。不好是大家觉得机器没啥情感。但是总的来说，只要大家针对性回答，以及把自己的意图表达清晰的话，其实对方会觉得你在认真对待，好好去看一下，听一下你所讲的内容。

• Q：面试VS的时候，我的时间是可以选择的吗？我是不是可以选择我状态比较好的时候？还是提前预约时间？

红雨导师：他会发你邮件一个link一个时间段发给你比方几天内录完。具体的时间点，你可以在那几天内选择任意一个时间点，只要在deadline之前。具体要求还是看邮件，比方在那几天里面，你只要觉得你OK了，准备好了，你就打开去面试就行了。一旦你点了”开始测试“，就不能结束了。 Tony导师：大家可以去找一个 更好的时间段、好的网络环境。 如果说自己不是特别确定，可以把你的问题梳理成文字，或者说我们测试rehearsal都是没问题的。所有的面试一般来讲的话，一只梨的面试都是由我把控过的，大家不用怕，担心时间怎么样。只要你们给我留言，我看到之后，会给大家一些回复和反馈的。 红雨导师：我补充一点，大家在测试的时候先可以看一下摄像头。如果你的脸都是黑的话，对方肯定在看的时候，可能多多少少you know。最好找比较暖一点的，光线好一点的地方，至少让别人看得清你。不要一直都是脸处在阴影状态下。反正要 测试之前，先看一下自己在镜头里面长啥样 。

Tony导师：面试CMU其他专业方向，我去年都帮他们把关包括你在镜头里面的是仰视还是俯视。头部在你的电脑里面是大概一个拳头的位置，比方说你面试的时候，在你的笔记本的屏幕里面的高度头发大概是一个拳头的位置，比较舒服，不要仰视，也不要俯视。 另外光线包括背景避免一些倾斜的背景，比方说你 背景 是一个斜的地方，看起来会影响注意力，背景也不要太复杂。 光线 稍微暖色调一点的话更舒服一些， 着装 可以不要太正式，可以稍微正式和放松的状态，大概就是在现场面试的时候的着装和条件要求。红雨导师：VE一般都发你邮件一个link，所以大家在收到的时候要接收一下就OK了，具体操作直接follow link里的要求做前期准备。因为每年都不一样，一般是不需要你去预约，但是大家也最好邮件点接收，然后看一看，如果只是直接开始面试的按钮，大家可以先就不用管，到最后挑一个时间点去”开始面试“就OK了。 如果有其他信息需要你填写的话，可以先填好，然后等到一个合适的时间段再去开始录制。大家可以先去拿题库练一练，我觉得大家不单单是竞争对手也是一个互助形式。所以大家有什么信息都互相去分享。说不定之后都成了同学。 Tony导师：我指导你们每个同学面试的时候，不是说每个人都回答一样， 一定是针对自己的个人特点 ，所以基本上来说都是全部录取，未来的话你们一起去美帝，一起去国外顶级院校，你们可以一起去认识，有的学校选课还是有互通的。所以大家可以放开心思，不要有一定是竞争关系的顾虑。

• Q：之前康奈尔information science面试也有VE，当时我看到面经，你点进去之后题目在你提交之前，你点stopped或者录音倒计时之前是可以刷新的。CMU会有这样子的？其实相当于就是有个bug，假设你表现不好也可以及时刷掉，但是CMU我就不知道，虽然这比较投机取巧，但是我觉得想了解一下有没有这种情况？

红雨导师：目前来说，我没有听过，不管是几年前，还是去年好像没有这个bug，所以我觉得尽量别以身试法，万一刷新后没有bug反而就直接结束了，这个风险还是挺大的。所以比方别人发的那些消息说有这个bug，大家千万不要自己去试。你准备好了就可以开始。

• Q：申请程序里有一个VE，邮箱里面又发了一封要聊五分钟的邮件，这两个都是需要及时回复的吗？

红雨导师：如果发给你邮件的话，尽量要 及时回复 。因为毕竟是在申请的时候，就是任意的一些邮件，你都其实在这个时期都要多多注意一下。不管什么，你都可以去点进去先看一看。有时候可能需要你去book时间或者填写一些信息，让你补交，都是有可能的。所以你在这个时间段的话，其实要多多关注于他们发给你的每一份邮件。 Tony导师： 经常查看邮箱，包括垃圾邮箱 ，有很多消息及时回复，遇到任何问题随时沟通。如果遇到一些特殊情况，比方说网断了，地震了，网崩了（苦笑）。遇到了极端情况，不要慌，到时候再发一封邮件再解释一下，所以当时的状态。不要太担心。今天，特别谢谢红雨老师给我们信心，其实就是 信息的知道和不知道之间的状态会影响我们极大的坚定度，肯定度和自信心 。

所以今天我们给各位带来一种托底的方案，所以无论你们在准备之前，包括其他学校的任何的面试，发来的信息，都随时告知班主任，告知Tony，告知我们所有的大牛导师，咱们有100多位顶尖的导师团。你们有什么问题，我就会及时反馈给他们，我知道的我就是第一时间告诉你们，不知道的我就会请教一些了解这方面的专家老师，还有咱们过往的学员，让他们帮助我们去获取信息。预祝大家今年offer满满，Offer手软。 音频 | 陈红雨/Tony 整理 | Joy图片 | 一只梨/网络 作品及图片版权归设计师本人和所服务企业所有， 未经允许转载挪用，将追究法律责任。

【定位】只针对全球Top院校和企业，致力于UX、交互、服务、产品创新、人工智能等前瞻领域。 【高度】庞大的资深导师团，拥有全球顶尖院校背景，及多年工作经验。 【收费】教育是最有价值的也是最保值的投资，但大多数人都是工薪阶层，我们杜绝乱收费，甚至发起过众筹资助学员。 【理念】我们是设计师蜕变平台，秉持亦师亦友的培养理念，认真对待每一个梦想。除了面试指导、作品集规划，还提供后续的职业规划，这也是为何梨学员都把一只梨当成家，愿意常来常往。

Video Interview

Follow the detailed instructions below for successfully completing your video interview and submitting it to Heinz College as part of your application for admission.

You have the option of completing a one-question video interview in support of your application for admission. The video interview will be available after you submit your application and your official undergraduate transcript(s).

The video interview is optional, but is strongly recommended for non-native speakers of English. We encourage all applicants to co nsider completing the video interview.

preparing for your video interview

As in a real, professional job interview, we do not share interview questions with you before the actual interview . If you would like to prepare for your interview, you may wish to search the internet for advice on preparing for a job interview and/or professional graduate school interview in the United States. 

Note: After you begin the video interview, you will not be able to pause, cancel, or re-record any of your answers. Please keep this in mind as you decide when and where to complete your video interview to minimize the chance that you are interrupted by a roommate, family member, pet or anyone else while recording your video response.

WHO CAN APPEAR IN THE VIDEO?

The video and audio must be of you, the applicant (not a proxy).

When will you complete your video interview? what can you expect?

You must first submit your online application and official undergraduate transcript(s).

You will receive an email invitation from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College asking you to visit the status page of your application to open your personalized video interview within 24 hours AFTER your required, official undergraduate transcript(s) have been received and processed. 

There is no formal "deadline" for completing your video interview after you receive the invitation. However, if you want to ensure that your video interview is available when your application is reviewed, please try to complete your interview within 5 days of the date you receive the invitation to the video interview (within 5 days of when your official undergraduate transcript has been received).  Applicants for our full-time Master's programs who receive the video interview invitation before the January 10 priority deadline may have more time to complete the video interview. Full-time Master's applications will not be not reviewed before our application deadline.

Here is what you can expect if you choose to complete the video interview:

• You will receive an email from the us AFTER your official undergraduate transcript has been received and processed. This status will be posted on the "status" page of your application.
• The email will invite you to visit the status page of your application to see the video interview link to complete your video interview.
• You will be able to record a test video to confirm that your settings are correct and to become comfortable with the system.
• Immediately after recording your test video, you will have an opportunity to watch the recording.
• You will be able to record a test response several times if you need to make adjustments to your settings - and to practice using the system. (Your test videos will not be saved, nor will they be sent to Carnegie Mellon University.)
• When you begin the actual interview, you will be asked one (1) randomly-selected question.
• You will have 90 seconds to read the question on the screen and decide how to answer.
• After the 90 seconds of reading/preparation time ends, your computer will automatically begin to record your answer.
• You will have 90 seconds to provide your answer. You will have only one chance to answer the question.
• You will not be able to pause the interview after it starts.
• You may stop recording if you finish answering the question in less than 90 seconds. (It is fine to provide a shorter answer!)
• You will not be able to re-record any answer after the interview begins.
• You  will be able to watch your response.
• You will only be able to complete the interview one time . 
• As with a live interview, you will not be able to re-record your answer. Please approach the video interview like a "real", live online video or in-person interview.

After you complete your video interview, it will automatically be added to your application for review by the admissions committee.

Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology

MITS Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MITS program must demonstrate academic excellence and preparedness for the rigors of the program. Qualifications include:

• Programming skills: an ideal applicant should have experience with programming systems in which issues such as scalability, performance, and security are important concerns.
• Analytical skills: an ideal applicant should have strong problem-solving skills, particularly in the area of system design. Some knowledge of statistical analysis is also a plus.
• Team skills: an ideal applicant can work effectively with others in both leadership and subordinate roles.
• Other skills: an ideal applicant will have taken at least one introductory course in machine learning and analysis of data.

For More Information

Please contact Mark Gardner , CMIST Graduate Program Manager.

MITS Application

Admission requirements.

Minimum qualification for admission to the MITS program includes previous coursework, demonstrated ability or equivalent work experience in the following areas:

• Algorithms and data structures;
• Proficiency in programming in at least one of the following languages: Python, C, C++, or Java;
• Analytical ability, including topics such as probability, statistics, research methods, and economics.

Application Materials

• Annual Application Deadline:   January 15   (Applications open October 15)
• Application fee : $75 Please contact   Mark Gardner   if you would like to request a need-based application fee waiver.
• Statement of Purpose   (500-1000 words): State your purpose in undertaking graduate study in information technology strategy. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career goals. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application, or résumé/curriculum vita.
• Diversity Essay   (500-1000 words): Carnegie Mellon University values a dynamic and diverse community where all members are responsible for contributing to an intersectional, inclusive environment. Please take this opportunity to discuss how you will contribute to departmental, school, or campus-wide efforts to expand diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Optional Written Essay:   If there are any special circumstances you would like the admissions committee to consider, highlight them in the optional essay. Use this essay to include information that you feel is important, but that you are unable to include elsewhere on the application. This would also be the place to address any gaps, fails, course retakes, etc., indicated on your transcript. There is no penalty for leaving this blank.
• Optional Video Essay:   You will be given the option in your application to provide a link to a video essay. Video essays are optional but strongly recommended, especially individuals unable to visit campus prior to the application deadline or those who are non-native English speakers. Use the video essay to give us more insight into who you are, your interests, and what you will bring to the program; for example, your interest or experience in a particular concentration, or some courses in the curriculum that you are particularly excited for. Please do not read your statement of purpose. The video and audio must be of you, the applicant (not a proxy).
• Résumé/Curriculum Vita : Required

Transcripts

• We require a minimum 3.0 GPA represented in your undergraduate work. Please explain any gaps in your study, course fails, or retakes in the optional essay.
• Please do not mail your transcript to CMIST.   We will   only   accept transcripts that we receive directly from an academic credential verification service. We will accept evaluations from any   NACES   member. We recommend using   SpanTran   or   WES   as we have previously coordinated with them. Please select to send your evaluations to the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology or direct electronic delivery to: [email protected] .
• Please note:   Course-by-course reports must include a US equivalent GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Letters of Recommendation:   You are required to have two recommendation forms submitted on your behalf. Recommendations should be provided by employers, supervisors, professors, or others who are able to comment on your professional and educational goals and potential. At least one of your recommenders should be a professor who can attest to your academic abilities. The other should know you in a professional setting (full-time employment, internship, part-time employment, non-academic extracurricular activity, etc.). You may opt to have up to three (3) recommendations submitted in support of your application. Please let your recommenders know in advance that they may upload an electronic document or scanned copy of a paper-based recommendation using the online system  rather than  using the provided text box response fields, but that  they must upload their recommendation via the online system .

Standardized Test Scores (GRE or GMAT) are not permitted.

Your scores must be submitted directly to Carnegie Mellon University – Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology  (TOEFL institution code C583). We verify all exam scores electronically after reported to us by the testing service . Please do not have paper test scores sent to us by mail.   If you completed either the TOEFL or IELTS more than two years ago, you MUST take one of the tests again.  The testing agency will not verify scores that are more than two years old.

Minimum scores are as follows:

• IELTS of score 7.5
• TOEFL score of 100 with at least 25 in each subscore. Only iBT TOEFL version is accepted.
• Duolingo English Test Score of 125

We strongly recommend you include a video essay in your application. An interview may also be requested before final admission decisions can be made.

• Interview : Virtual interviews may be requested for applicants in the final round of selection.

Veterans:   CMU welcomes applications from veterans and those currently serving in the US Military. The University Registrar's Office provides services to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for   Veterans Education Benefits   under the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

In addition, CMU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for those who are 100% eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. In order to use Veterans Education Benefits, you must be an admitted Carnegie Mellon student (graduate or undergraduate). Veterans Affairs determines the amount of benefits a student can receive; therefore, we cannot estimate benefit amounts. Please contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551 to find out the amount you are eligible to receive.

All information reported on your application is subject to verification. CMIST utilizes several methods to identify plagiarized and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false or plagiarized material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.