火爆社区

It鈥檚 easy to understand why students feel Carnegie Mellon is 鈥渙ne of the brightest universities in the country.鈥� After all, the university offers 鈥渦nlimited opportunities for academic exploration and mastery.鈥� Indeed, CMU undergrads value 鈥渢he interdisciplinary nature of many departments here鈥� as it certainly 鈥渆nhances [their] education.鈥� One individual elaborates, 鈥淚 like that it allows students of different majors to collaborate and get to know each other, expanding general knowledge鈥� in the process. Academically, the engineering and computer science programs are popular and 鈥渞ank very highly.鈥� Another student shares, 鈥淭he curriculum is very advanced in all the STEM courses so people graduate with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.鈥� Though the vast majority of classes at CMU are on the smaller side, some students observe that 鈥渓ower-level classes tend to be large lectures.鈥� That said, classes overall put a 鈥渉uge focus on problem-solving, rather than memorization,鈥� which students appreciate. And while some admit there are some courses 鈥渋ncredibly difficult and at many times overwhelming,鈥� the overall 鈥渁cademic experience itself [is] enriching.鈥� And for many, a few grueling classes is worth it, as 鈥淐MU is very well-connected to many industries and organizations, and it is very feasible for CMU students to use the university as a launching pad into their interests.鈥�

Students at Carnegie Mellon immediately note that their peers tend to be incredibly 鈥渁cademically focused鈥� and 鈥渟et themselves to a very high standard in their work.鈥� Fortunately, they still know how to foster 鈥渁 supportive learning environment where students help each other grow. There鈥檚 no toxic competition among us.鈥� But there is no denying that many are 鈥渋ntensely working for internships and jobs which will carry us in the future.鈥� This type of dedication to excellence extends beyond the classroom as well, with students saying their peers are 鈥渞eally passionate about things they do,鈥� including their extracurriculars. Though a few individuals do lament that some classmates 鈥渇ind that participating in other organizations is only a means to add things to a r茅sum茅, rather than have fun in school,鈥� most feel it鈥檚 鈥渕ore important to have a healthy work-life balance.鈥� Socially, 鈥渕any people [at CMU] are introverts.鈥� Although people like to stick to their groups鈥攍ike athletes or international students鈥斺�渢he student body can be diverse if you don鈥檛 stay in your bubble.鈥� At CMU, 鈥渆veryone is a quirky kid鈥� and has 鈥渦nique interests and hobbies that you wouldn鈥檛 expect.鈥� As one student notes, 鈥淵ou can have a good conversation with almost anyone about their courses, their departments, homework, different professors, etc.鈥�

Life at Carnegie Mellon moves at a frenetic pace. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always something to do and experience.鈥� As one undergrad explains, 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 programming, singing a cappella, dancing Bhangra, driving in Buggy races, we invest and spend a lot of time in everything we do.鈥� Of course, it helps that 鈥渢he school鈥檚 extracurriculars are sensational.鈥� Many feel 鈥渢here鈥檚 such a wide variety of...clubs, events, and traditions鈥� that there鈥檚 something for everyone. 鈥淚 have enjoyed academic bowl, model UN, ultimate Frisbee, and the Black student organization. There are also professional and other minority organizations, mock trial, intramural and club sports, a newspaper and other policy magazines,鈥� one student notes. When the weekend rolls around, you can always find 鈥渟ome sort of party鈥� or a handful of students heading 鈥渙ut to bars and clubs,鈥� though many people are also content with 鈥渕ovie and game nights.鈥� Finally, CMU undergrads also love to experience all that Pittsburgh has to offer. You can often find people 鈥渉eading into the neighboring areas of Oakland, Squirrel Hill, and Shadyside to grab food and hang out.鈥� Plus, the city has tons 鈥渙f cool museums,鈥� and the university is 鈥渟ituated between two nice parks鈥� which are always great for a stroll.

At CMU, the interdisciplinary approach to education means that students are taught to be versatile problem solvers with a key sense of community. The school is 鈥済reat for engineering, math, science, or physics students (or drama or design),鈥� who find that the world 鈥減ractically throws opportunities (internships, guidance) at these majors.鈥� You would be hardpressed to find a junior or senior who did not have an internship or research position in the summer; 鈥渋t almost seems expected of you because of the caliber of student you are.鈥� CMU鈥檚 academic diversity and rigor 鈥減ut its students in an excellent position to start their careers.鈥� 鈥淧eople will hire you because they know you can work since you have been doing nothing but working the past four years of your life,鈥� says a student. For those students who visited PayScale.com, 48 percent reported feeling that their job was making a meaningful impact on the world.