Early Decision

Early Decision is for students whose first choice is CMU-Q. Applying in the Early Decision round means that if you are accepted, you will secure your spot in the incoming class before the regular applications are due.

This special admission round takes place November 1, two and a half months before the Regular Decision deadline. Eligible students are invited to apply for Early Decision if CMU-Q is their first choice in universities. Early Decision is a binding decision, which means if you are admitted, you are committed to enroll.

Successful students are offered acceptance packages before the winter break.

Early Decision Timeline

November 01

Application Deadline

November 17

QF Need-based Grant Application

December 15

Decisions Sent to Applicants

February 01

Enrollment Deadline

August 18

First-Year Orientation Begins

August 24

Semester Begins Deadline

Early Decision Checklist

Eligibility

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar must be your first choice university.
You are one of the following categories of students:

Qatari citizen
Non-Qatari resident of Qatar: Financial aid is available to Qatar residents applying through Early Decision. International students with at least one parent residing in Qatar may also apply.
International students with zero financial need: This category includes GCC nationals with scholarship funding and international students who are self-funded. Financial aid is not available for international students who are accepted during the Early Decision round.

Application

Complete the general application process through Common App by November 1. The process is the same as applying for regular decision, with some additional requirements.

How to Apply

Additional Requirements for Early Decision Applications

Early Decision candidates must submit the following:

Within Common App, the student, parent, and secondary school must sign the Early Decision Agreement.
The completed Early Decision Eligibility Agreement Form should be sent directly to the CMU-Q Office of Admission.

Testing

CMU-Q is test-optional for the SAT / ACT. However, if you intend to submit scores, we do accept November test dates. Please make sure you’ve indicated future tests on Common App and rush report your scores. We will wait until we receive these scores before making a decision. December testing is not accepted for Early Decision consideration.

Decisions

CMU-Q will make one of three decisions on your application, and you will be informed of this decision in December:

You are admitted to CMU-Q.
You are not admitted to CMU-Q. If you are denied admission during Early Decision, you are not eligible to apply for regular decision in the same application cycle.
Your decision is deferred to the regular admission round.

If You are Admitted Through Early Decision

When you are notified of your Early Decision acceptance and financial aid decision from Qatar Foundation, you will enroll at CMU-Q and withdraw any applications you have submitted to other institutions, in any country.

Please note you will not be able to compare financial aid packages between Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and other universities to whom you may have applied.

You will pay an Early Decision enrollment deposit of $1,000 USD by February 1.

You will submit a mid-year school transcript/report from your current year of schooling, as well as your final results when you complete the school year. If the results from these reports are not at the high level of academic performance under which you were granted admission, the university can revoke the offer of admission.

Questions about Admission?

Admission Support