* GPA: Your undergraduate grade point average is a significant factor.
* Letters of Recommendation: Strong recommendations from professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities.
* Statement of Purpose: A well-written essay explaining your goals and why you're a good fit for the program.
* Resume/CV: Demonstrating relevant experience and skills.
* Work Experience: Depending on the program, relevant professional experience can be very beneficial.
* Research Experience: For research-oriented programs, this is crucial.
* Undergraduate Institution: The prestige and rigor of your undergraduate program.
While there's no minimum GRE score, a competitive score will generally be in the higher ranges. For highly competitive programs at Carnegie Mellon, you should aim for scores above the average for admitted students. You can try to find this average by looking at unofficial sources like forums dedicated to CMU applicants. However, even high GRE scores don't guarantee admission.
To find a better sense of expected scores, you should:
1. Check the program's specific website: Each master's program at CMU will have its own admissions page. Look carefully for any information on average GRE scores of admitted students (this is often not explicitly stated).
2. Contact the admissions office: The admissions office for the specific program you're interested in can provide more insight into the typical applicant profile, though they won't give you a hard minimum score.
In short, focus on a strong application overall rather than solely aiming for a specific GRE score. A high GRE score is helpful, but it's just one piece of the puzzle.