CS Scholars (CSS), a CS Pathways initiative, is a four-week immersive experience on the CMU campus for rising high school juniors. This fully funded, merit-based program brings students together from around the country to explore computer science with Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff, and researchers who are leaders in the field. As a fully funded program, CS Scholars program costs are covered by CS Pathways through generous support from foundations, corporations, sponsors, and donors. Covered costs include tuition, housing, meal plans, and program related field trips and special events. Travel assistance may be requested by families for whom transportation costs to and from CMU would provide a significant barrier to attendance.
As a CS Scholar, you will engage in college-level courses, as well as weekly college prep and readiness seminars focused on college admissions, financial aid, social emotional wellbeing, and more. You'll develop meaningful connections with peers and mentors while being fully immersed in the college experience. A core value of CS Pathways and the CS Scholars program is building an inclusive, anti-racist environment. You will be expected to uphold this value and to participate in discussions about equity within STEM and beyond.
Students who complete the program and demonstrate a desire to continue may be invited to return as rising seniors to CMU’s AI Scholars program the following summer!
Location(s)
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Schedule
- June 21st - July 25th, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- Free
Eligibility Requirements
- Be 16 years old by the program start date.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students who are registered with DACA are also eligible.
- Be a sophomore in high school at the time of application submission.
- Demonstrate financial need
Deadline
- March 1, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
The complete application for CS Scholars will consist of the following:
- Online application
- Unofficial high school transcript
- Standardized test scores (optional)
- Responses to essay prompts
- Two (2) letters of recommendation:
- One teacher recommendation (preferably written by a teacher in a STEM field)
- One additional recommendation written by a school counselor, community-based organization advisor,or other adult mentor or leader who can speak to your readiness for the program. (This person should NOT be a relative or friend.)
Notifications of Decisions
- April 4, 2025
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university was founded in 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who donated a significant portion of his wealth towards the establishment of the institution, and is known for emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to education. CMU has consistently been ranked as one of the top research universities in the United States, particularly in the fields of computer science, engineering, and the arts. Carnegie Mellon is also well known for its robotics research, with the university's Robotics Institute being one of the largest and most respected in the world.
