Carnegie Mellon University
Reviews

Transportation

The bus are not very timely. Sometimes you have to wait for hours...

Students @ CMU

We're a school of nerds, but we don't all look like it. Everyone at this school, for the most part, is extremely intelligent. It's not like a normal university: sadly, stereotypically, not everyone is necessarily model-pretty. Besides looks, everyone here is generally very nice. Every time I've lost something, someone has picked it up and returned it to lost and found, or will go as far as finding your email and letting you know that they found something you lost. There have only been minor thefts, but that's been from leaving items out in the open in public areas, which is pretty much a stupid thing to do. General summary: nice, smart, people.

Life @ CMU

The dorms are pretty nice. CMU offers a lot for their students, including multiple gyms, printers all around campus, building accessibility, etc. The school costs a lot, but you get what you pay for. The only thing I've seen wrong with the school is the price. Everything is offered to you: multiple opportunities for internships, jobs, clubs, etc. The housing process is simple. CMU's whole system of operation is simple for what I can remember. Definitely live off campus after freshman year, because it is so much cheaper.

People @ CMU

Everyone here is highly diverse, and very accepting. It's not uncommon to hear multiple people speaking a different language on your way to class. It's actually a minority to only be able to speak one language. Sexual orientation and political beliefs are shared and are also diverse, yet accepted.

Make of It What You Will

There is a lot to do in Pittsburgh if you have a car and know someone from Pittsburgh. Most students stay on campus and hate the weather, but there are many great outings to be had at Penguins hockey games, at the many art galleries and museums, parks, and local neighborhoods that make up the bulk of the city. The best way to experience Pittsburgh is through restaurants: check out dive bars on the South Side, get a steak on the North Shore, find delicacies in the Strip District (not a red-light district, but a marketplace), get some kosher pickles and bagels in Squirrel Hill or grab some Italian food in Bloomfield. Don't bet on the neighboring University of Pittsburgh to offer much in terms of social life or sports teams, as CMU students don't seem to spend much time in Oakland, but there is a lot to do down the street in terms of shopping or cheap food. (Lots of restaurants offer half price food after 11pm during the week; organizations make a habit of going). There are hundreds of opportunities to volunteer in Pittsburgh as well, but none are in very close proximity to campus. If you want to be adventurous, there is a lot to do, but you need to become very familiar with the area and public transportation.

All Sorts of People

There's at least a few of every type of people, but there are a very noticeably large number of Koreans.

Pittsburgh Unique Culture

Pittsburgh is one of (if the the) most livable city in the USA. Cheap housing allows for more money to spend around the town. The big business draws of Pittsburgh are robotics, the medical fields, and the city is especially friendly to start-ups. The National Aviary, plenty of museums and libraries, and one of the world premiere glass art centers are just a couple gems which offer great opportunities for fun and learning. The sports scene is phenomenal, the central hub of some of the widest spread fan bases around. The personality of Pittsburgh's citizens ranges from savvy businessmen to youthful hipsters, but all people have friendly, folksy dispositions (and some of them even speak Pittsburghese). The weather can be a drag, with frigid winters, hot summers, and rain nearly half the year, but honestly it's a fair price to pay for a fantastic city.

Parking

there is not a lot of parking. There is a parking garage, but this costs money, and there are meters, but that also costs money. Buses are a pretty good option for transportation.

Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering

This area of study has been very interesting so far. I am a freshmen, so I have been learning most of the basics, but all of my classes have been very challenging and engaging. Most classes early on are lectures with large numbers of students. There are weekly assignments, and a few group projects that allow you to interact with other students. Facilities are older, but very nice. Classes early on have guest speakers from all backgrounds, which gives great insight on fields where you as a student might want to pursue.

Personally I'd Stay on Campus, but Most Disagree

The isn't much housing very near campus, and what is available is typically passed down so unless you know the owners, you won't get to live there next. The other housing options are farther away and can get pricey, plus you kind of have to keep a car. Living on campus is super convenient, but if you move off, you're not guaranteed housing if you decide to come back.

Laptop Is a Must, Don't Bother Buying a Printer

The wireless network is really fast, and generally very reliable, but it has gone out at some pretty inconvenient times (eg finals week). The wired internet is also awesome. There's no need to bring a printer with you because there are printers EVERYWHERE on campus. The one downside is that your quota is limited, and if you need to print in color or on large paper, it can get pricey; some people run out and end up mooching off others or forking over some $$ for PlaidCASH.

Freshman Dorms Are Great

The freshman dorms are incredibly convenient. Laundry is free in the all-freshmen dorms (upperclassmen have to pay). Many dorms also have practice rooms/pianos and computer clusters in the building (which is incredibly helpful when you're trying to use up your print quota). Almost all of the dorms have dining and/or workout facilities either in the physical building or nearby. After orientation, you really feel a special bond with the people in your house!

Some Unexpected Within the Expected

There are PLENTY of the nerdy computer guys you can envision when you think of Carnegie Mellon. However, there are definitely some cute guys, just not as prominent on your radar. Keep looking and they will be found!

Proud to Be Nerds, Great Community

adjectives that describe CMU students: nerds (in a good way!), passionate, interesting, diverse (in interests, backgrounds, etc.), talented, hipster, stressed, driven, friendly, reaaaally smart. It's easy to feel comfortable with the students here; it's a very supportive community. Then you go to class and hear what your friends have to say in discussions and you're blown away by answers you never would have thought of!

What You Imagine of Computer Science Mecca

Tons of clusters, Mostly reliable printing (although not yet compatible with Mac Lion running system), good on campus wireless access, personal printer definitely not needed

Rare

As with any city school, there is very little parking, but that is to be expected. Since the parking is so limited, the price is pretty steep. That just follows the regular theme of supply and demand though. I will say though, a car is really not necessary since there is such a great bus system in place. We have bus passes built into our tuition which allow us to get anywhere in the city that we need to go.

Its Edible

Pittsburgh is notorious for bad food, but anything outside of what CMU has to offer is a breath of fresh air.

For quick early morning breakfast, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts (Pitt campus) are your best bets. For a good breakfast, try Pamela's Diner (the one shining star in a city of terrible overpriced food).

For lunch/dinner, try Eat Unique, Star of India, or maybe Subway if you want something quick.

For late night deliveries, CampusFood.com is a godsend.

For 24/7 food (that awkward moment between late night and early breakfast), god help you: the only options are 7-11 and McDonald's.

Carnegie Mellon Does Not Care About Its Dining.

The food at CMU is sick joke. Not much more that can be said about that.

The meal plan is mandatory freshman year, but after the first year most students drop the meal plan.

Mostly Good, but Wi-Fi Is a Joke

CMU Windows/Mac/Linux computer labs ("clusters") and printers are everywhere around campus and usually free, Red Hat SSH and Windows 7 VMware View servers are convenient, and the wired network is pretty fast.

Loses points on the wireless network: http://min.us/iiKYtTLj3IOGi.png

The Odds Are Good, and the Goods Aren't as Odd as People Say

There are those stereotypical gross, nerdy kids here at CMU, and there's probably a lot more here than at some other schools because of the nature of our academic strength, but that does not mean that we don't have our fair share of attractive guys - and girls too.

Saftey

I have never felt unsafe on campus, even at three in the morning. There are always campus police patrolling, so help is always close. Also, you need a campus ID to get into any of the dorm rooms, so uninvited guests are not a problem. (24 hours)

Drug Free in CMU

Don't get me wrong, there are a few people who do smoke (guys and girls), but no one here is like a drug addict or dealers. Everyone-and i mean everyone- here is so nice and friendly that there has been no issue of peer pressure or any kind of involvement with the police or anything. The school here is drug free. Everyone here is super nice!

Greek Life

Our school is known to be one of the most stressfull univerisites in the nation because of the incredible amount of load work the university puts on its students. And because of this Greek Life is not often looked upon positively by the non-Greeks, since it is nearly impossible to have the life of partying, and constantly going to events while having to do internships/volunteer work and keeping up with the school work to bring up the GPA.

Kind of Overrated Really

This school prides itself on this but frankly I don't see it. The overwhelming majority of students are white, asian or indian. Having a lot of people of 1 or 2 minorities does not make diversity. One positive note is how openly accepting the school is of homosexuals, it's really admirable. Also, we do have some people from europe/south america and it's cool to get to know their cultures. I have friends from china and india and I like the experience that offers.

Academics at Carnegie

I'm in Architecture at Carnegie Mellon. It is extremely challenging and time consuming. Our professors are very demanding. Though it is very rigorous, I feel that I am learning a lot and would highly recommend it for those who aren't afraid to work hard.