Please submit a one page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen Carnegie Mellon and your particular major(s), department(s) or program(s). This essay should include the reasons why you've chosen the major(s), any goals or relevant work plans and any other information you would like us to know.
Unique, innovative, and illustrious, Carnegie Mellon University provides an abundance of opportunities for students like myself who hope to pursue their passions in the world of engineering. Having a campus brimming with life, diversity and an array of possibilities, it initially caught my attention with its prominent history as an academic institution along with the praises it receives from its alumni. Its founder, Andrew Carnegie, is arguably the most influential philanthropist in American history and his rags-to-riches life will be a true inspiration for many generations to come.
Now, I'm not afraid of admitting that Carnegie Mellon University hasn't always been my first choice. My search for the perfect university stretched over a number of frustrating months. It finally ended with Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Institute of Technology stands out in the world of engineering and technology with its excellent ranking, state-of-the art facilities as well as distinguished faculty members. More importantly, it is a college with an ambition, teeming with people willing to make a difference.
Many people find the rigors of engineering to be too hot to handle. However, I truly believe that I would relish the opportunity and rise up to the challenge of becoming an engineer. The most important reason for choosing the field of engineering is that it unites all of my major interests. It is a combination of math, science, creativity and innovation. Add to that the stimulating environment of Carnegie Mellon and I'd have the perfect place to progress as a student as well as an individual.
Throughout high school, the one field of engineering that has fascinated me the most is chemical engineering. The chance of developing new kinds of fuels as well as harnessing old ones for sustainable energy and designing materials that we not only use in our everyday lives but also depend on for our wellbeing always seemed like an interesting proposition to say the least.
Another significant factor that makes Carnegie Mellon stand out is its Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program. The chance to take part in all kinds of research is an opportunity that I would never let pass me by. It would broaden my horizon to explore further areas of sciences and studies and allow me to venture into the fields that I may never have considered to pursue.
Carnegie Mellon is also renowned for its diversity. Its large international student population is a significant advantage for someone like myself who is always fascinated by people belonging to different cultures and communities. It exposes an individual to new ideas and provides the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. This early exposure to new individuals ends up being valuable to ones professional and personal life.
Unlike most people my age, I established most of my career goals fairly early on in high school. I always visualized myself becoming a successful chemical engineer, working at a massive chemical company like DuPont, actually bringing a change to the environment for the better.
After finding success at Carnegie Mellon, it would be an honor to become part of its alumni force. I may not be the perfect applicant but one thing's for sure; I want to follow the footsteps of the successful alumni of Carnegie Mellon and leave my own as well in the process.
The essay should concentrate more upon the reasons why you chose to apply to CMU instead of offering only what amounts to a one paragraph long response to that question. Your essay concentrates on your development, your beliefs, your training, your everything. Lessen the information about you unless you can directly relate it to the reasons that you opted for CMU. While you may not be afraid to say that CMU is not your first university choice, you still need to justify the reasons why it became your final choice. The only direct mention that you have to that is the reference you made to SURF, which does not offer as much as it should in the context of the essay. Try to revise the essay to speak more about the qualities of CMU that attracted you to it. The academic aspect , reasons why you chose to major in their particular department, and the social aspect of their university life should be presented in a balanced manner in the essay.
