Applications for admission to the HCI doctoral program must be received no later than December 15th (applications are not accepted at other times of the year). To apply for admission, read the following instructions carefully and make certain that you have met all requirements when you submit your application.

To apply for admission, read the following instructions carefully and make certain that you have met all requirements when you submit your application, then complete the on-line application.

Prepare a Statement of Purpose providing a concise one- or two-page statement in the following format:

Part I. Briefly state your primary interest of study within HCI. Be as specific as possible in describing your interests. Existing research areas and projects in the HCI Institute are listed on the HCII research summary page. Other HCI research interests are also welcome.

Part II. State your objective in pursuing a Ph.D. and why you are applying to Carnegie Mellon.

Part III. Describe your background in fields related to your objective. List here any relevant industrial or commercial experience.

Part IV. Include any additional information you wish to supply to the admissions committee.

Attach your current resume, including a summary of research experience and a list of publications. Attach copies of any publications (in English only) that you may have.

If appropriate to your background you may include a link to your portfolio.

Submit transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, even if no degree was granted. You must upload your transcript in either PDF, JPG, or GIF. Any other format will not be accepted. Mail one copy of each official transcript (in an official sealed envelope) to:

Martha Clarke, Admissions Coordinator
School of Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3891 USA

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required for one program and $50 for each additional program. You may pay the fee by credit card. The credit card payment system is part of the online application, and instructions are given when you submit your application. If you do not want to pay by credit card with the online application, you may pay by a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to Carnegie Mellon University.

Submit online three letters of recommendation. Recommenders should know you relatively well and be able to evaluate the quality of previous work. At least two should be from faculty or recent employers. When using the online application form, letters will be submitted electronically.

Note: The deadline for online letters of recommendation is January 3.

Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have scores sent directly to Carnegie Mellon University (Institutional Code 2074, Departmental Code 0402). All applicants must take the General tests. Applicants are not required to submit a GRE Advanced subject exam score. Please refer to the GRE testing schedule to determine available test dates. No application will be considered complete until we have received these scores. GRE scores will not be accepted if more than five years old.

Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have your score sent directly to Carnegie Mellon University (Institutional Code 2074, Departmental Code 78). All students whose native language is not English must either take this examination, or have earned an undergraduate degree from a U.S. educational institution.

It is your responsibility to make certain that your application, supporting documents, and letters of recommendation reach the Admissions Committee by the above stated deadlines of December 15 and January 3. You may check your submitted online application to make certain that it is complete.