Hey everyone!

I'm applying for Fall 2027 PhD at CMU. One thing I'm still trying to figure out is the difference between the three PhD programs: Machine Learning (MLD), Language and Information Technologies (LTI), and Computer Science (CSD).

My research is mostly around foundation models, RL/post-training, efficient fine-tuning, and LLM agents, so I've actually found professors whose work interests me in all three departments.

I know the obvious answer is to prioritize research fit with a potential advisor, and I completely agree with that. But I'm curious about a few other things:

• Competitiveness: Is there any meaningful difference in how selective these three programs are? I know they're all insanely competitive, but is MLD, for example, noticeably harder to get into than LTI or CSD?
• Career opportunities: Does graduating from one program versus another make any difference for research scientist positions in industry (frontier AI labs, etc.) or academic careers? Or is it basically all about your advisor and research output?
• Research flexibility: How easy is it to collaborate with or be advised by professors from other SCS departments once you're admitted? Are the program boundaries actually important in practice?

I'm considering applying to more than one of them, but the application fees add up, so I'm trying to figure out whether that's worth doing.

Would especially love to hear from current PhD students, alumni, or anyone familiar with these programs.

Thanks!

Hey everyone! Looking for a swim buddy to stay accountable, I usually swim on weekends or sometime when im free, but I'm down to practice drills or just small talk; I'm a new phd student here and I do think i'm pretty good at swimming, I know every stroke, I can teach you some basics. so if you're interested, feel free to drop a comment or DM me!

HELPPP !!
I’ve tried contacting Carnegie Mellon for the past 2 weeks about their application port and I still haven’t gotten a response. I’ve reached out to both CMU Architecture and General CMU operator and still no luck.

I plan on applying for their MS in Building Performance and Diagnostics but I see that there are no programs available on the SlideRoom application. Anyone experiencing the same thing?

Beat the crowded 28X!

I'm driving from the airport to CMU/Oakland. Looking for fellow CMU students as it's the end of the fall break. Can drop you off at your designated location.

Looking for flat $20 contribution per person to offset gas costs and wear and tear on my car. Already 1/2 of Uber.

Have room for 4 if all have small luggage, 2-3 if some have large suitcases.

Comment with arrival time if you're interested.

I saw some workers spraying fertilizer today. Like it smells like literal sh1t? Can't they use something that has less smell?

I'm applying to CMU regular decision, and my portfolio is about halfway done. Before I start with anything else, should Architecture portfolios only have structures and other Architecture related things, or is it ok to have some regular art pieces? So far it's all 3d and 2d models.

I'm also a bit worried looking at some example undergrad application portfolios, because they actually look insane. Is the standard that high?

How hard is 07-280? Is it harder than or easier than 15-122?
I would appreciate any informations and feel free to add as much detail if you can 🙏

Im a statml major so I need to take 07280. And since it has been only a year since 07-280, I wasn't able to find that much infos about 07-280.

I'm currently a master's student at CMU. I've been working as a Research Assistant at one of CMU's labs, earning $18.50/hour.

My supervisor is interested in having me continue working at the lab after graduation. I came across CMU's Transitional Graduate Position policy, which allows recent graduates to continue their academic/research work for up to four months as temporary staff.

I'm wondering:

1. Does your hourly rate typically stay the same, or is it adjusted when you transition from student worker to temporary staff?
2. Has anyone gone through this process? If so, what was your experience with compensation?
3. Is the pay determined by the lab's budget, or does CMU HR have a standard pay range for transitional graduate positions?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through this, especially former CMU research assistants. Thanks!

Everyone online is giving random numbers, 5 percent, 22 percent, 11 percent. Does anyone know what the actual ED information systems acceptance rate is? Also is CMU worth it in your eyes for the huge price?

hi guys cmu is one of my top schools and i want to major in information systesm but idk if my stats and ecs are good enough. I have a mid gpa (3.84/4.41) + high rigor + test optional + great ec's imo especially for the information systems major. I would like to know what stats current cmu students had that got them into the information systems major.

why is there no way to connect my switch to the wifi here

what happened to the billions of dollars?

what do i pay thousands of dollars and can’t even play a lil smash brothers on the weekend?

if we all work together, we can address this tragedy on campus

With the recent news coming out about J1, OPT, and H1-B I’d like to start a group to discuss how American students/faculty/PhD/Masters/PostDocs can get together and organize to have the concerns we feel be heard by the school and show that we care for our international colleagues and seeing them in constant fear isn’t setting up the best work environment.

I’m inherently biased by seeing the affect this news is having on my whole group and surrounding department.

Let me know your thoughts below.

I'm applying ED to CMU MCS for Mathematical Sciences. Any advice that could help bolster my application in a significant way? I am a mix of Low GPA + High SAT + Very High Rigor HS Schedule.

im applying for an engineering major, and ive heard the environment becomes pretty competitive. im at a super competitive hs already, and its rlly toxic, and i was wondering if cmu is the same. I have nothing against a little healthy competition of course, but ppl have told me that ppl at cmu work 24/7 and its so incredibly competitive that it becomes toxic. Is this true?

Im also concerned abt the social life. Ik ppl say that people here prioritize work and the courseload is heavy (prolly for my major especially). But i did wanna ask abt the social life, cuz i def wanna make sure i have a good social life thru college and dont wanna be working 24/7 yk.

Especially in the engineering/ cs school, is the environment that competitive and toxic? And how is the work life balance? I love tech and wanna get into startups which is one of the reasons why i wanna ed, but i wanna make sure the environment isnt “toxic competitive” and that ill still have a social life. Tysm!

It's cool to have period products, but the toilet paper situation is sadistic. CMU is too stressful for this 1-ply sandpaper. I try to carry my own but I don't take a bag to the bathroom everytime. Sometimes that peepee becomes a poopoo and then you're stuck scratching at your anus with a little mountain of this 60 grit, disintegrating tissue paper.

I am trying to externally transfer to CMU Math for sophomore external transfer admissions. I was waitlisted in my freshman year with significantly weaker ECs than I have now.

Currently attend UT Austin for Math and am taking the following classes: M427L Honors ( Honors Vector Calc), M325K (Discrete Math) , M362K ( Intro to Probability), and UGS (freshman gen ed seminar class).

Planning to take the following for spring semester: M427J Honors (Honors Differential Equations), M341 Honors (Honors Linear Algebra), M328K (Intro to Number Theory), M378K (Mathematical Stats), and Dean’s Seminar (assuming I get Dean’s Scholar for spring semester).

I believe M325K + M328K could potentially waive me for Concepts of Math.

I will most likely need to take Probability again (21-325) as M362K seems most close to 36-225 SDS in Dietrich School.

I am most interested in CMU’s Discrete Math & Logic Concentration within Mathematical Sciences.

looks like this no clue where i left it but if you find it pm pls thanks

Please WAIT for people to get out BEFORE you try getting in!!! Should be common sense, but…

Im currently high-school senior and cmu seems to be my top choice right now. I’m applying for tepper to major in finance and want to minor in AI. I have a 1570 sat/36 act, my ecs are decent, but my gpa is a bit on the lower side (upward trend throughout highschool though).

Do you guys think it’s worth EDing there? I wanted to choose this school to be somewhat realistic so I don’t waste the ED, that’s why i didn’t choose wharton or something. However, I just saw on the official website that ED barely boosts your odds and that it’s only if CMU is your top choice. What do you guys feel about EDing there?

Also, what’s life like at cmu? I’ve heard so much about how it gets really depressing from some people, but others love it. I also understand that Tepper isn’t one of the really hard schools at cmu so i’d prolly have a good amount of free time but idk. I love going out w friends and having fun so this is important to me before wanting to commit here

Does anyone know if we can still use flex at eat unique? there’s a sign out front that says “we accept dinex”

also doesn’t anyone have any idea when subway will start accepting it again? recently they’ve just been saying they switched POS systems so it won’t work which is frustrating

UPDATE: called eat unique and they said they’ve only even taken dinex?? which ik is wrong bc i’ve never had dinex and have always used flex there??