Life at CMU

At CMU, some of your student’s most important lessons will take place outside of the classroom.

Carnegie Mellon is home to more than 400 student organizations — everything from fraternity and sorority life and politics to technology and the arts. There are countless ways for students to engage in philanthropy, community service, civic discourse, activism and social justice. They can represent their peers in student government and participate in CMU’s rich history of campus events and traditions. If your student has a unique interest or passion, they are also welcome to start a new organization.

Living on campus, especially during their first year of college, will allow your student to acclimate and connect with their new community, learn more about themselves, and develop meaningful relationships that inspire exploration, growth and learning.

No singular identity defines us. Students from all 50 states and countries worldwide attend Carnegie Mellon, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are at the foundation of the CMU experience.

Now more than ever, these core values allow us to advance academic excellence and innovation, strengthen our community’s health and well-being and propel students forward as leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and global citizens.

Well-being and mindfulness are as integral to the Carnegie Mellon experience as academics. Students can take courses in mindful living and resilience, attend workshops and events on topics like mental health, healthy decision-making and self-compassion, and engage in free guided meditation sessions. No matter your student’s faith, spirituality or secular worldview, the many faiths and traditions represented at CMU make it easy for them to connect and gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of other perspectives.

What is life at CMU? It’s a bit of everything. Classwork. New experiences with new people. Research and selfreflection. Failing and growing from it. Breaking boundaries and building friendships. Leaps and bounds but also baby steps. Challenging yourself and embracing self-care. Changing the world and opening your mind and heart to others different from yourself. It’s people and places and experiences ... that is life at Carnegie Mellon University.