Carnegie Mellon University's Pre-College Programs offer rising 11th and 12th graders immersive summer experiences on CMU's Pittsburgh campus, taught by CMU faculty and staff. The portfolio spans 15 programs across arts, technology, science, and humanities — including four programs (AI Scholars, CS Scholars, SAMS, and EDG:E) that are free to all admitted participants, plus need-based scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining for the paid programs. AI Scholars, CS Scholars, and SAMS are open only to US citizens and permanent residents; the other programs accept applicants worldwide.
Program offerings (2026 costs):
| Program | Length | Residential | Commuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Scholars | 4 weeks | Free | — |
| CS Scholars | 4 weeks | Free | — |
| Summer Academy for Math & Science (SAMS) | 6 weeks | Free | — |
| EDG:E (commuter only) | 6 weeks | — | Free |
| Writing & Culture | 4 weeks | $9,636 | $7,284 |
| Architecture | 5 weeks | $10,744 | $8,253 |
| Leadership Development | 4 weeks | $9,926 | $7,574 |
| Computational Biology | 4 weeks | $10,750 | $8,041 |
| Global Cultures & Emerging Technology | 5 weeks | $10,980 | $8,489 |
| Art (3 weeks) | 3 weeks | $7,945 | $6,184 |
| Music (3 weeks) | 3 weeks | $7,927 | $5,999 |
| Art (6 weeks) | 6 weeks | $12,204 | $9,039 |
| Design | 6 weeks | $12,204 | $8,862 |
| Drama | 6 weeks | $12,303 | $8,974 |
| Music (6 weeks) | 6 weeks | $11,640 | $8,319 |
| National High School Game Academy | 6 weeks | $13,281 | — |
| Summer Session | 6 weeks | $14,688 (2 courses) | $7,409 (1 course) – $11,308 (2 courses) |
Scholarships: Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining are available to US citizens and permanent residents who demonstrate financial need. Scholarship applications must be submitted by the February 1 early deadline. International students are not eligible for scholarships.
Key 2026 deadlines:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Early deadline (regular; also the only deadline for scholarship, AI Scholars, CS Scholars, and SAMS applicants) | February 1 |
| Final deadline (regular applicants only) | March 1 |
| Early decisions released (regular applicants) | March 15 |
| Final decisions released (regular applicants); scholarship, AI Scholars, CS Scholars, and SAMS decisions released | April 15 |