Application

Who should apply?

The MSIT-VLIS program is designed for individuals with a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related degree from a "top-thirty" university, or foreign equivalent. Some applicants have experience in industry and seek to move up the technical hierarchy. Other applicants are continuing study from undergraduate education, or from another master degree. A significant fraction of the students plan to continue studying at the Ph.D. level. In any case, this degree provides a "leg-up" for the applicant.

Application Requirements

• An undergraduate degree in Computer Science or other scientific or technical discipline.
• A cumulative grade point average higher than 3.0.
• Scores from Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Send your scores to the School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University; Institute Code: 2074, Department Code: 0402.
  GRE subject tests taken in December will arrive about the middle of January, in time for our review process.
  We encourage students to take a subject test if it is available to them, but the test is not required.
  Please ensure that your GRE scores reach us before the application deadline. No application will be considered complete until we have received these scores.
  If you have previously taken the GRE, your scores will be accepted if they are less than five years old.
  This requirement is waived for CMU undergraduates.
  
• Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Send your scores directly to Carnegie Mellon University - School of Computer Science; Institutional Code: 4256; Departmental Code: 78. (Do not sent to Carnegie Mellon U Computer Science - that is a different department!) This requirement is waived for students whose native language is English, or have earned an undergraduate degree from a U.S. educational institution.
  If you have previously taken the TOEFL, your scores will be accepted if they are less than five years old.
• An application fee. (More details are available at the on-line application website.)
• Applications are accepted starting November 1st. The final deadline for a complete application to be on file is March 8th of each year. VLIS uses "rolling admissions", so acceptances are issued approximately once a month (December-April).

How to apply

The CMU MSIT-VLIS degree program shares admissions with the CMU MSE degree program. The on-line application website is available from this link. All applicants must use the on-line application website. Additional off-line material (such as transcripts) are send to the appropriate address below.

Read the following instructions carefully and make certain that you have met all requirements before you submit your application. All this material is submitted via the on-line application website.

The MSIT-VLIS program does not accept Spring admissions.

• Prepare a Statement of Purpose. Type or print neatly a concise one- or two-page statement in this format:
• Part I: Briefly state your objective in pursuing a professional graduate degree in MSIT-VLIS. Tell us if you have a particular reason for applying to this degree.
• Part II: Describe your background in fields particularly relevant to your objective. List here any relevant academic, industrial or commercial experience.
• Part III: Include any additional information you wish to supply to the Admissions Committee.
• Submit transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, even if no degree was granted. Transcripts should be in an official sealed envelope. The transcript may be mailed with your application or sent directly from the institution to the admissions coordinator address below.
• Enclose your current resume, including a summary of research & industrial experience and a list of publications (if any). Include copies of any publications (in English only) that you may have.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if required.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if required.
• Three letters of recommendation. The admissions committee prefers, but does not require, letters from both academia and industry. People who recommend you should know you relatively well and should be able to discuss the quality of your work. Three recommendation forms are provided in the application form. You may photocopy these forms if necessary.
• Submit the application. Send any off-line material to

  Jennifer Lucas
  Program Administrator
  Institute for Software Research 
  Carnegie Mellon University
  5000 Forbes Avenue
  Smith Hall 220
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  USA
  
  

Please make certain that all items listed above and any other materials not included with your application reach the Admissions Committee by the deadline.