Step 1: Submit an online application

You will need these materials to fill out our written application:

• Unofficial transcript: You do not need a notarized official transcript from your university to apply. If you are in your final year of study toward a bachelor’s degree, please upload your unofficial transcripts up until the most recent semester. Upon admission to our programs, you will be requested to bring your official transcript to verify your credentials. Learn more about transcript requirements.
  • When you submit your unofficial transcript, you must include a document explaining what the grades mean - commonly known as a "grading scale," or "grading key," or "back page." Learn more about grading scales.
• Essay or statement of purpose: This is an opportunity to tell the admissions team about yourself and explain why you want to attend CMU-Africa. Students at Carnegie Mellon are engaged in intellectual activity consistent with the highest standards of the academy. For this reason, plagiarism will not be tolerated and any applicant found to have committed plagiarism will be denied.
  • The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program requires a statement of purpose, submitted through your application portal, where you will be asked why you want to join the MS ECE program. There is no word limit, but you should be clear and concise.
  • The Master of Science in Information Technology and the Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence programs require you to answer three short essay questions (with an optional fourth question), submitted through your application portal. The maximum word count for each essay is 300 words.
• Video essay: You will be presented with a randomly selected question or prompt to answer in video format. To ensure your video essay is accepted for review, please adhere to the following guidelines.
  • Time limits: You will have 30 seconds to review the question or prompt and prepare a response. The recording will then automatically begin, and you will have up to 180 seconds (3 minutes) to respond. You can stop the recording sooner if you wish.
  • No re-recording: This is designed to be similar to a live interview, so you will not have the opportunity to edit or re-record your response.
  • Technical requirements: Only Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers on desktops, laptops, and Android devices are supported at this time.
  • To ensure your video is successfully submitted, please record it in English with clear audio and video, professional and authentic delivery, and focus on the prompt.

• An up-to-date CV: Upload a concise document showing your professional and academic experiences to date.

• Recommendations: Upload the contact information of three individuals who can provide the application team with a recommendation for you. Select people who know you well, for example, a current/former professor, a supervisor at work, a community leader, etc.
  • MSIT/MS EAI: You will not need letters of recommendation while applying—the application team will contact your references.
    MS ECE: Your recommenders will receive an email that allows them to submit a recommendation letter for you. You can track the progress of the letter on your application status page.

• Upload a valid ID or passport: National ID and passport are the accepted forms of ID for your application.