What do you know about Carnegie Mellon?

Does one's current CGPA or college matter when applying for summer internships at Carnegie Mellon University in the computer science and electrical department?

• I am a student in India not from a very reputed engineering college. But I have a flair for programming and computational mathematics. I have absolutely no interest in Chemistry and that was perhaps the reason I didn't make it into any government college. My first year CGPA is not very good as I also have no interest in subjects which won't cater to my future or interest me. I wanted to apply to Carnegie Mellon University for their summer intership. I wanted to know what are the requisites for getting it.

• Answer:

  A2A.I would not recommend you to apply to the CMU RISS Program.The RISS Program is an intensive program for prospective undergraduates for research in robotics or related fields. A flair for programming does not necessarily translate to research ability, and it is highly unlikely that just after your first year in college, you will have the experience or the credentials to get admitted to the program.Their website explicitly mentions that they prefer 3rd year or senior students, and what they value most is recommendations. So I would suggest you wait two years and gain experience in research (probably work with professors at your college) and have professors who would write good recommendations for you.On a more philosophical level, I have this to say to all prospective internship-seekers:Research internships don't come to those who prepare for them. You should find an area of research that absolutely thrills you, and work endlessly to the point that you develop substantial ability in that area. Then you'll see that internships will actually interest you for the work that you get, not for the place you go to/credentials and all that. And then getting them won't be a problem at all.Hope this helps.Edit: To answer the question terribly to the point, CGPA is the most reliable judge of the sincerity of an applicant. If you have other credentials to support your application, such as research experience, recommendations and the like, then a modest CGPA will not affect your application, as long as you're above the minimum requirement.