Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
121 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
33
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
1
RagsKP94
State College, PA734 contributions
Feb 2022
We visited for a college tour with our HS junior. The information provided was very good. The student tour guides were excited to be there and really liked talking about the school. We learned a lot and saw a lot considering how cold it was the day we were there. The campus is adjacent to Pitt and in an urban setting. But when you are on campus you do not feel like you are in the city. They have free access to city buses for students. The tour did a good job of pointing out the schools strengths - oddly both engineering and fine arts. The kid will be appying.
Written February 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Douglas S
Philadelphia, PA18 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
CMU is exactly what my son was looking for on his college tour: Excellent computer science school and strong business school with alot of entrepreneurial startups. So what the heck happened? The tour was cursory at best. We were always just passing through or on the outside looking in. Granted, classes were in session. But CMU is known for it's theater program. Let's actually go IN a theater instead of marveling at a fresco on the ceiling of the lobby. The student guides were cheery enough. Until, an out of stater asked, "What's that tall building over there?" The smile ran away from her face as she said, "THAT's University of PIttsburg. You can take courses at CMU if you're a student at PItt." She quickly turned and took another question. My son and I looked at each. At the end of the tour my son said it "sucked the life out of him" and "made him sad." Why? Because he said the students looked miserable and there seemed to be an all-consuming, over-seriousness of purpose. Maybe it was the tour, the guides or the apparent sadness. But CMU dropped out of his top three in a nanosecond.
Written October 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
misopiso88
Seattle, WA27,567 contributions
Oct 2019
Beautiful grounds and outstanding architecture, CMU is definitely worth a visit. Phipps Conservatory, affiliated with the campus, is enough alone to make the trek!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Barry D
Columbia, SC68 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
The academic side of the school was great. But the grounds and buildings seemed to be thrown together with no reasoning behind them and no forethought. Looks like someone gave them a bunch on money in 1900s and built some buildings. Gave a bunch on money in 1950s; built some buildings. Money in 1970s; built some and then again in the 1990's. No style to bring them all together. Don't mind eclectic, but you would think a University with as high an academic prestige as CMU would have better planning. Some of the tour folks were great. Others were like they were going through the motions. Interview personnel at the admissions office seemed like they worked at the DMV - not bad, not good - just blah!
Written August 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
drlisat
Cornelius, NC258 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I visited the university over a weekend this summer and it was still bustling with activity which is nice for summer. There are cool museums and new buildings to explore as well as nice athletic facilities.
Written June 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amy N
Franklin, TN436 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
CMU is a beautiful campus with a lot to offer visitors. Walking around the campus is easy and accessible. There is parking in the garage on Forbes. You can walk out of the garage and see the football field. The music building is very beautiful inside. The library lights up in different colors at night. The CMU Fence is frequently painted by different organizations and the organizations have to guard it over night so people camp out there. There is interesting art work throughout the campus, most notably, the people walking up into the sky, near Forbes Ave. There is the Gates Building and the beautiful light up bridge that pays tribute to former CMU professor and Disney Imagineer, Randy Pausch. In the newly finished Cohon (?) Building, there is a magnificent hanging piece by Dale Chihuly outside Au Bon Pain. The Carnegie Museums are within walking distance and worth the walk. There is a cool dinosaur outside too. Schenley Park, Phipps Conservatory and Waffalonia are also within walking distance. The park has beautiful flowers in the spring and live music is frequent as well.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DBronchick
Punta de Mita, Mexico135 contributions
Mar 2015 • Business
Even if they are not smart enough to accept my daughter into their drama program (ha-ha) this is really a beautiful campus and worth a look even if your not shopping for colleges. We did a run thru the campus this week on a beautiful sunny day and were just in awe of the beautiful classical architecture. Greta location in a great city.
Written March 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Monstermeng
Singapore, Singapore20 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
Wouldn't want my children to study here.
Small campus, didn't have the college feel present in many other schools.
Everyone gloomy, studying, crazy workloads and skyrocketing tuition.
Small campus, didn't have the college feel present in many other schools.
Everyone gloomy, studying, crazy workloads and skyrocketing tuition.
Written February 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karuna_AE
Philadelphia, PA113 contributions
Given it's such a top level college, didn't expect it to be so unimpressive. The campus isn't too big and there isn't too much to see. Visited only because of alumni in the family.
Written December 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2rh
Clinton, NJ212 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
From a visitor's standpoint, the edges of the campus are pretty urban and grimy. There are buildings not directly on the campus, and Pitt is not too far away too, so there is somewhat of a college feel. Something strange was significant street parking taken away, even handicapped parking, by food trucks not operating on the weekends.
They do seem to have some of the standards you see on college campuses now, Starbucks and so on.
They do seem to have some of the standards you see on college campuses now, Starbucks and so on.
Written December 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
can I book a tour for same day?
John G
Oswego31 contributions
Depending on the time of the year, yes, you can schedule a tour.
Uma S
2 contributions
Are we allowed to go inside the main building as a tourist/not a prospective student? I have a kindergartener and is wondering if they might have some exhibits for kids of his age.
Roger S
Phoenix48 contributions
You may enter the buildings. The museums are really awesome and kids love them. Have a great time.
Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Carnegie Mellon University
- We recommend booking Carnegie Mellon University tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Carnegie Mellon University tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Carnegie Mellon University:
- (0.57 mi) Shadyside Inn All Suites Hotel
- (0.87 mi) The Inn on Negley
- (0.34 mi) Mansions On Fifth Hotel
- (0.89 mi) Hyatt House Pittsburgh / Bloomfield / Shadyside
- (1.24 mi) Friendship Suites
- Restaurants near Carnegie Mellon University:
- (0.29 mi) Union Grill
- (0.30 mi) Ali Baba Restaurant
- (0.30 mi) Lu Lu's Noodles
- (0.26 mi) Orient Express
- (0.73 mi) Prantl's Bakery
- Attractions near Carnegie Mellon University:
- (0.00 mi) Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation
- (0.02 mi) Forbes Field
- (0.31 mi) Carnegie Museum of Art
- (0.40 mi) Carnegie Museum of Natural History
- (0.43 mi) Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens