Program Overview

Program Overview

The CS Scholars program is a four-week residential experience at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, designed for rising high school sophomores. The program combines classroom instruction, hands-on projects, faculty lectures, and industry engagement with leading tech companies around the country. It is a fully funded, merit-based program that gives students the opportunity to explore computing with Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff, and researchers, gaining mentorship, developing technical skills, and applying their learning to real-world challenges in computer science.

Program Details

• Duration: Four weeks
• Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores who are at least 16 years old by June 20, 2026, and are in 10th grade in high school at the time of application submission.
• Application Requirements:
  • Online application
  • Unofficial high school transcript
  • Standardized test scores (optional)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Completion of essay prompts
• Selection Criteria: Demonstration of financial need, strong interest in exploring computer science, and underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

Curriculum

The program includes:

• Programming Course: Learning the core elements of programming and problem-solving in Python.
• Pre-Concepts of Math Course: Strengthening computational skills and dismantling the belief that one "just isn't a math person."
• Faculty and Industry Engagement: Engaging with CMU faculty and industry leaders to explore opportunities in computer science.
• Research Exposure: Gaining an introduction to ongoing research projects from faculty and graduate students.
• Writing Workshop: Crafting a compelling personal statement with guidance and feedback from instructors and peers.

Personal Growth

The program offers:

• Career and Personal Development: Interactive discussions with experts to explore academic and career pathways.
• Mentorship: Group mentoring with CMU faculty and graduate students for guidance and support.
• College and Beyond: Seminars on academic readiness, college success, and post-graduate planning.
• Community Building: Social and team-based activities to create lasting connections among peers.

Hands-on Experience

• Group Research Projects: Collaborative projects applying classroom concepts to real-world challenges.
• Industry Engagement: Field trips to leading tech companies to connect with professionals and explore emerging topics.
• Capstone Symposium: Presenting group projects on the final day, showcasing skills and knowledge developed throughout the program.

Financial Need

• The program utilizes a holistic application review and admissions process, considering a combination of factors, including demonstration of financial need.
• Documentation of financial need is required for application submission, which may include tax documents or a completed NACAC Application Fee Waiver.

Program Schedule and Commitment

• The program is a four-week residential experience, with students required to reside in CMU dorms for the full length of the program.
• Full program participation is required, with no absences allowed for other programs or obligations.

Decision Date and Application Deadline

• The application deadline is 11:59 PM EST on a fixed date.
• The decision date is also fixed, with admissions being notified accordingly.

Housing

• The program is residential only, with students living in CMU dorms for the duration of the program.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

• To be eligible, students must be at least 16 years old by the program start date, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and in 10th grade in high school at the time of application submission.
• The application requirements include an online application, unofficial high school transcript, standardized test scores (optional), two letters of recommendation, and completion of essay prompts.

Selection Criteria

• Students applying for CS Scholars should demonstrate a strong interest in exploring computer science, though no coding experience is necessary.
• All eligible students are welcome to apply, with a strong encouragement for applications from students who are underrepresented in STEM fields.