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Home>School of Information Systems & Management >Information Systems Management (MISM)>Admissions Requirements>Application Process

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MISM Application Process

Before applying, please carefully review these requirements:

Application

Carnegie Mellon no longer accepts applications submitted on paper. Please apply online. The application fee is waived with our online application.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, regardless of whether credit or a degree was obtained. Your official transcript should show the titles of all courses taken, grades or marks received, and the date and title of any degree(s) conferred. Transcripts must be enclosed in an envelope and signed across the seal by the registrar's office.

Either the GMAT or GRE

Applicants should take the GMAT or GRE no later than one month prior to the application deadline (please see Deadline information noted below). If you took either of these tests more than five years ago, you MUST take it again. Test scores must be submitted directly by the Education Testing Service (ETS). Please have scores sent to the Heinz School using the following codes:

  • GMAT: 69H-V8-50
  • GRE: 2074 (institution code) and 1903 (department code)

Language Proficiency

For applicants whose native language is not English, we require official results from one of the following language proficiency exams- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants are required to submit official score results from either the IELTS or TOEFL. The only exception is for applicants who have received a degree from a university at which English is the primary language of instruction. If you took the test more than two years ago, you must take it again.

TOEFL scores must be submitted directly by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The Internet-based test is preferred. The minimum TOEFL score is 620 (260 computer-based test or 82 on the Internet-based test). If your score is below the minimum, you should consider retaking the TOEFL. For more information on the TOEFL, please contact ETS (Phone: 1-609-921-9000). When registering for the TOEFL, please use the following codes:

  • TOEFL: 2074 (institution code) and 94 (department code)

IELTS

You may submit International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results in place of the TOEFL. IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Test scores must be submitted directly by IELTS. For more information, please contact their office directly (Phone: +1-626-564-2954) or visit http://www.ielts.org/. The minimum IELTS score is 7. If your score is below the minimum, you should consider retaking the IELTS.

Three Recommendations

Recommendation forms must be completed by three people who can provide academic or professional references. Please note recommendations from friends, family members or acquaintances, and other sources not able to evaluate applicants on an academic or professional basis, will not be accepted.    Recommendations are submitted electronically through the online application system by your recommenders.   We will no longer accept recommendations submitted on paper. Please let your recommenders know that they may upload an electronic document or scanned copy of a paper-based recommendation using the online system rather than using the text box response fields. You must input the names and contact information for each recommendation provider.  Prior to requesting that your recommendation providers complete the recommendation online, be sure to check with them to ensure that you register them with the correct email address and that they know that they may upload their recommendation online and use their preferred letterhead if they so wish.

Résumé

A résumé is a one or two page summary of your education skills, accomplishments, employment experience and volunteer experience. The résumé MUST be current and include all part time and full time work experience, the dates of when the employment began and ended and a brief description of your responsibilities under the title of the position. Click here for a sample résumé.

Please note: If there are any gaps in your résumé, address them in your optional essay (see optional essay details below).

Essay

A 1000-word essay describing your background, your career goals and how the program will help you achieve your goals.

Optional essay

Please include an optional essay to comment on any item(s) in your application that you think worthy of further explanation (address any weaknesses or strengths). Please limit to 250 words.

Academic preparation

All students must provide evidence (final transcript) of completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or international equivalent prior to enrollment.

Programming Prerequisite

At least one college level computer-programming course is required. We recommend an object-oriented programming course, specifically Java. Taking a Java programming course prior to enrolling will allow you more curriculum flexibility.

Relevant professional work experience

For those on the one-year track (May to May), we require three years of full time, post baccalaureate, relevant professional work experience. For those on the 16-month track (End of August to December), we require a summer internship after you have completed your first two semesters in MISM. The reason for this requirement difference is:

  • Representatives from many different companies come to the MISM program to recruit students. They are specifically looking for individuals with solid IS knowledge and a reasonable amount of full-time work experience, prior to obtaining the MISM degree. For students with less than three years of full-time work experience, the internship serves to bridge that gap.

Additional Requirements for non-US citizens

In addition to the requirements for the application for admission you will want to consider these additional requirements:

  • Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be translated into English. All original documents must accompany the translations.
  • Documentation. All international applicants from abroad or in the United States are required to have valid documentation. If admitted, you will receive detailed information about the procedure for entering the United States as a student. You will be required to provide evidence of financial support. We recommend that students start searching for sources of funding well in advance of the application deadline. Carnegie Mellon's Office of International Education assists admitted international students by issuing I-20 documents, orienting them to INS policies and much more.
  • Office of International Education. Carnegie Mellon's Office of International Education (OIE) assists admitted international students with INS requirements. Admitted international students are required to pay the non-refundable admission deposit and to send a personal information sheet and affidavit of support before an I-20 will be issued.
  • Academic Culture and Communication Program. Incoming students who want to strengthen language skills before beginning graduate work in the fall may be interested in attending the Academic Culture and Communication (ACC) Program: "Preparing nonnative English speakers for success at Carnegie Mellon." Some international students may be required to attend ACC prior to enrollment. This program is designed to prepare students for success by enhancing their proficiency in the areas of advanced academic speaking, listening, reading, and writing. By honing these skills before the semester begins, students are better prepared to engage in academic work and take their place in the university community. For more information, visit the ACC Web site .  

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Contact Heinz College Admissions

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Application Deadline

January 10 – The application form must be submitted via the online application system by the deadline. Supporting materials sent by mail (if any) must be postmarked by the deadline. Our admissions committee cannot begin reviewing your application until we have received all of your application materials. If space remains in the class after the deadline we will continue to accept applications. Scholarship opportunities after the deadline are limited.