1. Skip to navigation
  2. Skip to content

Now That I am Admitted

Life as a Tartan

It's all about balance. As a Carnegie Mellon student, you'll work hard. Academic expectations are high. The workload can be heavy. However, Carnegie Mellon is not all about work. It's also about having fun.

From the first day of Orientation, current Carnegie Mellon students will be introducing you to innumerable opportunities to do just that. Learn to be a leader in the Carnegie Mellon Student Majlis. Travel to other countries. Write for All Around, the campus newspaper. Meet corporate leaders and CEO's through the Connections program.

Getting involved with campus life helps you learn how to balance academic expectations with other commitments. It makes you a more invested member of the campus community and provides you with a richer, more fulfilling campus experience.

To learn more about student life at Carnegie Mellon, visit here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Orientation, Orientation, and Convocation
Health and Wellness
On Campus Housing
International Students
Orientation
  • What is pre-orientation? Pre-orientation is an half-day appointment during the summer where enrolling students meet with their first-year advisor, Dr. Marion Oliver, take academic placement exams, and handle other administrative details such as obtaining your Carngie Mellon Qatar I.D. card. While meeting with Dr. Oliver, students will receive course schedules and have an opportunity to ask questions about transitioning to Carnegie Mellon Qatar.
  • Why do I have to take a math and writing assessment? All new students must either show proficiency or pass 2 English and 2 math courses during their first year at CMUQ. The math and writing assessments are the best way to test your proficiency in these areas, and your results may allow you to "pass out" of the first semester of math and/or English. So make sure to try your best during these assessments!
  • How will I know what classes for which to register? As a first-year student, you don't need to be worried about arranging you schedule! Your advisor, Dr. Oliver, will provide you with the course schedule you'll take for your fall semester and you will be automatically registered.
  • When is orientation? There will be an orientation organized by Qatar Foundation for all students on Sunday, August 26, and CMUQ's orientation will take place August 27-30.
  • What is the purpose of orientation? Orientation is a fun and helpful program help your transition to university life. You will meet your classmates, as well as staff and professors, and you'll learn so much about how CMU works and what it means to be a Tartan!
  • What should I bring to orientation? You should bring something to write with and a small notebook, plus an open mind and your excitement! We will provide you with everything you may need during orientation. Please leave your brothers, sisters, counsins, friends, and parents at home!
  • What should I wear to orientation? You should wear something in which you'll feel comfortable and be able to move around. No need for suits or formal attire.
  • Is orientation mandatory? Yes, but you'll love it! It is the best and easiest way to become a part of the Tartan family.
  • What is convocation? Convocation is a formal ceremony that officially marks the beginning of the academic year as well as ushers new students into the Carnegie Mellon family. 
  • I have read through all of the FAQ's in this section and still have questions! Who can I contact? Send questions via email to cmuq.orientation.2012@gmail.com.
Health and Wellness
  • Is my family/personal medical history confidential? Your health/medical records are confidential. Information will not be released without your consent except for communicable diseases (i.e. chicken pox, measles, mumps), which much be reported to the Health Authority by law.
  • Why is immunization information required? Immunization information is required in accordance with Carnegie Mellon Qatar and Qatar Foundation policies, and is in place to protect you and the community against vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • What immunizations are required? Immunization requirements can be found on the Medical History Report, but also outlined in this document. We also recommend that you view this Frequently Asked Questions document.
  • I live in Doha. Where can I get these vaccinations? The Messaimeer Health Clinic provides all of the required immunizations are available and free of charge. Click here for a map and timings for the clinic. The phone number is +974 4406-4251.
  • Why do I need health insurance? All full-time students are required to have insurance coverage. The intent of this policy is to insure that students have access to health care, and are protected from significant financial loss in the event of seriously illness, injury or emergency evacuation.  Qatar citizens and residents can provide a copy of their Hamad health cards as proof of insurance.  International and GCC must purchase insurance that meets the University's requirements.  See next question for information about which companies provide this kind of insurance. 
  • What companies provide insurance for international and GCC students? Carnegie Mellon Qatar recommends HCC Medical Insurance Services, but some students have also used InterGlobal in the past. The coverage purchased must cover the entire academic year (through May 2013), and must cover 1) emergency evacuation, 2) repatriation of remains, 3) coverage for health care in Qatar, and 4) mental health benefits. You will upload confirmation of your insurance coverage to the Health and Wellness Form.
    • Directions for Purchasing HCC Medical Insurance:
      • Go to the HCC website (link above), and review the coverage plans to decide which one will meet your needs. Both the "Select" and "Budget" plans meet the University's requirements.
      • Click on the "Get Quote" button/link, and enter the dates of coverage needed.  Students must be sure to have coverage for the entire academic year, or from the date of departure from your home country through the date of return in the spring.
      • Click "Submit" and then review the quotes and choose which one you wish to purchase.  Follow directions for purchasing the insurance.
      • Once evidence of insurance is received, forward this email to ymalek@qatar.cmu.edu.  
On Campus Housing
International Students

 

Plan a Personal Visit

All prospective students are encouraged to schedule a visit to Carnegie Mellon in Education City and meet with a member of the admission staff.

Make an Informed Decision

Deciding to attend Carnegie Mellon in Qatar is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Carnegie Mellon is home to 16 Nobel Prize laureates and ten Turing Award winners.