Carnegie Mellon University, Computer Science Department (PhD)
1 required essay for the 2026-27 cycle.
Deadlines
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | September 9, 2026 |
| Early application deadline (cost saving only) | November 18, 2026 |
| Final application deadline | December 9, 2026 |
Essays
Statement of purpose · required
You must Include a concise one- or two-page essay describing your primary research interests, related experiences and objective in pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science.
Prompt is quoted exactly as the department prints it, capital I in "Include" included. The one- or two-page cap is inside the prompt sentence itself, so the limit field is left empty rather than reworded. Deadlines are 3 p.m. EST, and the early deadline is not early decision, only a lower application fee; all decisions go out together in February or March. The department admits in the fall cycle only, and GRE scores are optional. Interdisciplinary programs (ACO, CNBC, PAL) apply through the same PhD in CS application.
Checked against csd.cmu.edu/academics/doctoral/admissions on September 11, 2026. Programs change their prompts between cycles; confirm on the program’s own page before you submit.
Paste your essay
Pick which of CMU CS’s prompts it answers. The first look is free.
Applying to college instead?
Prompt
Your essay
Common questions
- How many essays does Carnegie Mellon University, Computer Science Department (PhD) require for 2026-27?
- 1. The prompt is listed on this page word for word, with the length it states.
- When is the CMU CS 2026-27 deadline?
- Application opens: September 9, 2026. 2 other rounds are listed on this page.