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Carnegie Mellon Summer Pre-College Programs
Overview
A comprehensive summer program suite for rising 11th and 12th graders offering college-level instruction in STEM, arts, design, leadership, and humanities on Carnegie Mellon's Pittsburgh campus. Programs range from 3 to 6 weeks with residential and commuter options, with several full-scholarship tracks available.
At a glance
Deadline
Feb 182 days
Sessions
Jun3–6 wk sessions
Formats
Commuter / Residential
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Cost
Freefrom $0
Entering grades
10th, 11th
Acceptance
Competitive; programs reach capacity. Holistic review process. Specific acceptance rate not stated.
Application requirements
Current Grade
Must be in grade 10 or 11 (rising 11th or 12th grader)
Age
Must be 16 years old by June 20, 2026
Application Form
Online application with biographical, parent/guardian, and academic information
Application Fee
$50 (waived for scholarship applicants and AI Scholars, CS Scholars, SAMS, EDG:E)
Transcript
Unofficial high school transcript with all completed courses and grades
Recommendation Letters
Required; submitted online; must arrive by deadline
Standardized Tests
Optional for most programs; required for SAMS only (PSAT, SAT, PreACT, or ACT)
Essay
Program-specific essay prompts required
Supplemental Materials
Portfolios, auditions, videos, or other materials as required by specific program
Financial Documentation
Required if applying for scholarship or to AI Scholars, CS Scholars, or SAMS
English Proficiency
International students: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge English Assessment required if non-English native language and less than 1 year U.S. high school attendance
Commuter Eligibility
Must live within approximately 30 miles of campus or in Allegheny County
Cost & sessions
Multiple programs offered. Free programs: AI Scholars, CS Scholars, Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS), EDG:E pilot. Paid residential programs range $7,945–$14,688 depending on program and length. Paid commuter programs range $5,999–$11,308. Costs include tuition, housing (residential), dining, CMU ID with arts pass, and Pittsburgh transit pass. Application fee $50 (waived for scholarship applicants and free programs). Enrollment deposit $800 (non-refundable) for paid programs; waived for free programs.
Financial aid
Full scholarships available covering tuition, housing, and dining. Eligibility limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with demonstrated financial need. Application fee waived for scholarship applicants. AI Scholars, CS Scholars, and SAMS use holistic review where financial need is a factor (not a separate scholarship track). International students not eligible for scholarships.
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