Application and Financial Aid Support
We're Here to Help
Applying to highly selective colleges can be an unfamiliar process. Carnegie Mellon is committed to supporting you and your family.
The college application process is filled with special terms, forms, deadlines, requirements, standardized tests and more. Below, we offer a list of terms and definitions that students, parents & guardians, and community mentors may encounter along the way. We’ve also put together a suggested timeline to guide your college search.
We encourage you to reach out to our office or our admission officers so we can assist you throughout the admission and financial aid process.
Preparing for College While You're in High School
First Year
Select courses that will challenge but not overload you. Most of the preparation for college happens daily through your classes. A good start makes everything else run much more smoothly.
Begin to investigate ways to get involved in something outside of class. Many times, it’s not necessarily what you do, but how committed you are to the task. This could include things like school clubs, athletics, community service and part-time jobs.
Sophomore Year
Meet with your school counselor and let them know about your interest in going to college. Counseling offices work with colleges to know the type of students that may be a good fit for a campus. If you have a specific question and can't get an appointment with your counselor, feel free to send Carnegie Mellon a message.
Ask your counselor or teachers about honors or advanced course options and how to enroll.
Visit a local college to get a feel for a college campus. During your visit you can start thinking about size, location and other things important to you.
Join mailing lists to receive information through mail and email about important dates and visit opportunities. You can join Carnegie Mellon's Mailing List here.
Junior Year
Figure out what is important to you in a college. Talk to your parents, school counselors and people that you know who have gone to college to help you identify what’s important to you in choosing a college.
Search for Pre-College programs such as those held at Carnegie Mellon (learn more about our Summer Programs for Access and Inclusion). Pre-College programs give students the opportunity to see what life is like on a college campus over several weeks and (in some cases) earn college credit.
Look for virtual or on campus visit opportunities at colleges you’re interested in. Many schools will offer information sessions, tours, chats with current students and more to help you learn more about their college.
Create your initial list of colleges. Talk to your school counselor about your list and how your grades and exam scores compare to students admitted to those schools.
Attend college fairs. A college fair is a gathering of college representatives who are looking to speak about their college to interested high school students. Ask your counselor about how to find college fairs in your area.
Take the appropriate standardized tests — if you’re planning to submit scores. Review the standardized testing requirements and recommendations for any colleges you’re considering. Some schools require test scores while others are test-optional or test-blind. Both the College Board (SAT) and the ACT offer fee waivers if you’re concerned about the costs of taking these exams.
Senior Year
Take the appropriate standardized tests — if you’re planning to submit scores. Review the standardized testing requirements and recommendations for any colleges you’re considering. Some schools require test scores while others are test-optional or test-blind. Both the College Board (SAT) and the ACT offer fee waivers if you’re concerned about the costs of taking these exams.
Begin your college applications, making note of application and financial aid deadlines. For each college you’re applying to, decide which application plan you’d like to utilize (Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision) and review application requirements. Communicate with your school counselor to make sure that your transcript and letters of recommendation are submitted to all colleges to which you are applying.
Continue attending online or in-person college visits. Many schools will also offer evening or weekend sessions in your local area as well.
Apply for financial aid. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some colleges, such as Carnegie Mellon, require you to submit a CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA.
Plan to attend an admitted student program for colleges that offer you admission. College visits held specifically for admitted students can be different from visits held at other times of the year.
Make note of deposit deadlines. Each school you’re admitted to will set their own deposit deadline, although for many schools, this date is May 1. You must notify a college of your intention to enroll, usually by submitting a monetary deposit for your first semester’s tuition.
Defining College Search Terms
We understand that the college search process comes with a whole new vocabulary. Don't worry - we've got you covered. Check out the links below to get a crash course in common admission and financial aid terms.
Get an Insider's Perspective
Looking for more information about applying to college? Check out recordings of our Admission Insights webinars. This series provides information and insights from our admission counselors and campus partners, with each webinar focusing on a different aspect of the college admission process.