The application plans page of the Carnegie Mellon University Office of Admission shows that Early Decision (ED) applications for fall 2027 entry close November 2, 2026, with decisions on December 15, and Regular Decision closes January 4, 2027. Testing requirements differ by college: the School of Computer Science requires an SAT or ACT score, while engineering, arts and sciences, business, and other colleges are “test flexible.” Irvine seniors choosing Carnegie Mellon as their Early Decision school have three weeks to settle testing and the choice of college.
Who Is Affected by the Carnegie Mellon Early Decision Deadline
Seniors applying to Carnegie Mellon University for fall 2027 entry as their first choice. Early Decision is binding: applicants submit an Early Decision Agreement, withdraw other applications, and may apply to only one college within the university. Outcomes are admit, deny, or defer to Regular Decision, and a denied applicant cannot reapply in Regular Decision. The key points:
| Item | Carnegie Mellon policy |
|---|---|
| Early Decision | Due November 2; decisions December 15; enrollment reply by February 1; not offered for the School of Drama, School of Music, or BXA design programs |
| Regular Decision | Due January 4, 2027; decisions no later than April 1; enrollment reply by May 1; drama and music due December 1 |
| Application | Common App; $75 fee, waived for students who meet an indicator of economic need |
| Essays | Common App personal essay plus a writing supplement with three short-answer questions |
| Recommendations | One secondary school counselor evaluation and one teacher recommendation |
| Standardized testing | School of Computer Science requires SAT or ACT; College of Engineering, Dietrich College, Information Systems, Mellon College of Science, and Tepper School of Business are test flexible (SAT, ACT, IB, AP, A-Level, and others); College of Fine Arts is test optional |
| Test timing | Early Decision applicants are strongly preferred to complete testing by November 1; November tests must be listed on the Common App; December testing is too late |
Scores may be self-reported, and official reports are required only from admitted students who enroll; SAT superscoring is allowed, ACT superscoring is not. Engineering applicants apply to and are admitted directly to a department or major.
What to Do Now About the Carnegie Mellon Early Decision Deadline
Check the testing requirement for the target college. Applicants to the School of Computer Science must have an SAT or ACT score; applicants to the other colleges may use AP or IB results instead, but testing should be complete by November 1. Score release and sending dates are in Early Deadlines: Will SAT/ACT Scores Arrive in Time?.
Settle the college and major at the same time. Early Decision allows one college, and engineering applicants also choose a department; college choice and early strategy support is available through the EDUBUS University Admissions Planning service, and the three short-answer questions through the College Essay Bootcamp.
Confirm the binding terms of Early Decision. The differences among early plans are explained in Early Decision vs. Early Action: Which Are Binding.
Sources
- Carnegie Mellon University Admission: Application Plans & Deadlines (accessed October 10, 2026)
- Carnegie Mellon University Admission: Undergraduate Admission Requirements (accessed October 10, 2026)
- Carnegie Mellon University Admission: Standardized Testing (accessed October 10, 2026)
- CSU Transfer Priority Filing Ends Nov. 30CSU priority filing for fall 2027 transfer applicants ends November 30, 2026; $70 per campus. ADT admission guarantee, upper-division requirements, and next steps.
- Notre Dame REA Nov. 1; Tests Required Fall 2028Notre Dame Restrictive Early Action closes November 1, 2026. Scores stay optional this cycle; SAT or ACT is required for fall 2028 entry. Dates, essays, and rules.
- Pomona Two Essays, Early Decision Due Nov. 8Pomona College Early Decision I closes November 8, 2026, decisions by December 15. Two supplement prompts of 150 and 250 words, plus recommendation and testing rules.
- Portola High Financial Aid Workshop Oct. 19Portola High School holds a mandatory financial aid workshop for all seniors on October 19, 2026, led by Irvine Valley College, with FSA ID creation. Parent steps first.
