If you were looking for ways to write the Carnegie Mellon supplement essays, you should consider one of its policies

Carnegie Mellon did not change their three supplements since last year, but we still want to a fresh look at things: 

Table of Contents:

1. How to Write the Carnegie Mellon Supplement Essays 2021-22
   • Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 words)
   • Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 words)
   • Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 words) 

How to Write the Carnegie Mellon Supplement Essays 2021-22

Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 words)

This essay is also what we would consider the “why Carnegie Mellon” essay. In order to answer this question, you inexorably get tied up with the why Carnegie Mellon essay format.

Here’s the best way to answer the question. You’ll need to separate the 300 word essay into two sections; then, interweave them together as one story.

1. Be very specific about what EXACTLY inspired you to choose your area of study: The fact of the matter is that every major or field is filled to the brim with interesting information that could easily make one’s skin crawl. In Mathematics, one can be absolutely fascinated by seemingly impossible laws such as the Pareto distribution, which govern many aspects of our everyday lives. In Gender Studies, anyone can be fascinated by the amount of complexities that constitute society’s overwhelming gender identity complications, both conscious and unconscious. Thus, what you eventually get is very many students applying for Carnegie Mellon with perfectly good reasons as to why their field inspired them. To counter this, you’ll need to be hyper specific as to what inspired you to your field. Everyone will have very valid reasons as to why they were inspired, so you’ll have to elaborate on the details that inspired you. The details matter, and you’ll need to deconstruct your interests in order to clarify them in a manner that isn’t vague and foggy. Remember: the admissions officers want to see if you are just randomly selecting a field, or truly passionate about it.
2. Talk about Carnegie Mellon’s fit for your passion and future aspirations: The admissions officers are not delusional. They know that you will most probably applying to their school along with many other highly qualified schools. Thus, you’ll need to establish a few things in your Carnegie Mellon essay. Firstly, the admissions officers need to be convinced that, should you be accepted, you will certainly attend and not just have them at your back pocket. The second thing you need to establish is how the school is the right fit for your future. Most of everyone can benefit from a university education; thus, it is valuable for admissions officers to know why exactly you need to attend Carnegie Mellon in particular. More often than not, Carnegie Mellon has resources and professors working on projects that align specifically with your major and the career path that you want. Note: if you’re applying to Carnegie Mellon as a Freshman in undergrad, the admissions officers will know that you most likely don’t know what you truly want to pursue. Even the smartest students are relatively unsure about the path they want to take in life. Thus, try to take your Carnegie Mellon essay with a bit of humility. It’s okay to admit that you are interested in your field; you don’t need to claim that your field is something you’re ironfisted and determined to pursue 100%. They know most students are uncertain, so being completely certain about your field without being open to Carnegie Mellon’s other opportunities would only demonstrate naivety.

Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 words)

In this question, you need to think of Carnegie Mellon as your friend. You are not looking to sneakily sway them to a specific impression of you; however, you are trying to show them how you and your expectations of a good college experience lines up with what Carnegie Mellon has to offer. Note also that everyone has their own opinion on what constitutes a good college experience.

Some universities have an emphasis specifically for research. Others have a proclivity for the liberal arts.

The question then becomes what Carnegie Mellon has to offer you that makes the school a great fit for you.

To answer this, you’ll need to understand more about the school. That means doing more research past the main front page website. Carnegie Mellon has a competitive atmosphere, but it is also most known for its science and technology focus. It is also famous for its College of Computer Science as well as its College of Engineering.

You’ll need to do some digging around with the school’s background and figure out which parts fit with your temperament and your idea of a good college experience. Remember to be realistic when writing about what the process of learning and how you define a successful college experience. You should avoid clichés in order to stand out amongst the rest of the applicants. After all, the point of these essays is to distinguish yourself from the rest.

Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 words) 

Before you answer this essay prompt, consider the previous Carnegie Mellon supplement essays. The first and second Carnegie Mellon essay prompts ask about more serious topics. They want to know how why you choice your major and what your goals for a successful college experience are.

With that said, the best approach to the last Carnegie Mellon essay prompt is to relax and take a less “suits and ties” approach.

To combine both academic and personal aspects of yourself with help the admissions officers know that you are capable of handling the academic rigor that is to come, but it also shows that you will be a personable student who will fit with the culture and community well.

This is the best time to get personal and invite a bit of vulnerability to the admissions officers. We know that sounds severe, but what we mean by vulnerability is just that you should show your human side. You may want to talk about the things that you always wanted to nerd out about. Or, you could talk about your cultural background and how much of an impact it had on you. Here at PenningPapers, we actually like to go with what we call the “inconspicuous”. These are moments that had a lot of meaning to you and sparked deep emotions, but may on the surface seem to be simple and unassuming.

Take a look at Hayao Miyazaki’s scene in his masterpiece Spirited Away. This captures the feeling of deep meaning and emotion in the middle of an inconspicuous moment. The film has the opportunity, finally, to breathe and contemplate on life during what seems to be a simple yet dream-like train ride to nowhere.

Of course, getting this feeling correctly isn’t always the easiest thing to do in just 300 words. You’ll have to be precise, clever, and articulate with your words. Remember to take the time to make your essays as close to perfect as you can, though. Carnegie Mellon isn’t an easy school to get into. Its acceptance rate may be low, but its computer science and engineering school are even tougher.

A well-fitting essay, however, may just be enough to sway the admissions officers to your favor.

If you’re struggling with the Carnegie Mellon supplement essays and want help, don’t be afraid to contact us for free essay help. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours, and we can help you maximize your chances of acceptance.