Columbia University

• Course-by-course evaluation from WES, ECE or TEC (degrees or 31+ credits from outside the U.S.)Required

  Applicants who attended an international institution must submit an official course-by-course evaluation through World Education Services (WES; recommended for three-year bachelor's degrees), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or The Evaluation Company (TEC, formerly SpanTran) if they earned (or are earning) a degree at an institution accredited outside the U.S. and/or completed 31 or more post-secondary credits there. 'This is required for your application to be reviewed.' With 30 credits or less abroad, an unofficial transcript may be submitted instead.

• ResumeRequired

  Include any professional experience or skills related to your program of interest.

• Statement of Academic Purpose (500 words or fewer)Required

  Listed under Application Requirements; 'Be sure to write a statement that responds to the specific prompt provided by your program.' The Applied Analytics prompt is stored in essay_prompts.

• Supplemental Essay (no longer than 250 words)Required

  Listed under Application Requirements; 'Essay requirements vary by master's program.' The Applied Analytics prompt is stored in essay_prompts.

• Unofficial transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended for creditRequired

  Fall 2027 applicants: list and upload unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary institution where you received (or will receive) academic credit, including completed and in-progress coursework, summer programs, study abroad and transfer coursework. Unofficial transcripts must include your name, the institution, each term attended, the courses taken and the grades. If admitted, official final transcripts are required before enrollment.

• Two letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional)2 letters

  Recommendations should be submitted from academic and/or professional sources: a faculty member who taught you in a credit-bearing course, and/or a current or former supervisor (preferred) or colleague. FALL 2027 APPLICANTS: in your last year of undergraduate study, two academic recommendations from faculty at your undergraduate institution are required; bachelor's within 2 years, an academic recommendation is strongly encouraged but not required; bachelor's more than 2 years ago, no academic recommendation required. Personal references and letters from undergraduate internships and volunteer experiences are not appropriate. A family-member recommender must be disclosed, and the second letter must be from a non-family member.

  Two recommendations are required as part of your application, submitted by the recommenders themselves through the application system from an official institutional or professional email address. FAQ: you can submit only two letters, and the application is not reviewed until both have arrived. Re Vera Services contacts recommenders to confirm authorship.

• GMAT, GRE, LSAT or MCATOptional

  GMAT (optional; or GRE, LSAT or MCAT): If you are applying to most other programs (all except Bioethics), you may still choose to submit scores to the GRE, GMAT, LSAT or MCAT for consideration. For GMAT scores, select Columbia SPS as recipient.

  GRE (optional; or GMAT, LSAT or MCAT): If you are applying to most other programs (all except Bioethics), you may still choose to submit scores to the GRE, GMAT, LSAT or MCAT for consideration. GRE school report code is 3602.

• Duolingo English Test (not listed)If your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  The English proficiency requirement names only 'the TOEFL or IELTS Academic'; the Duolingo English Test is not on the list.

• IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBTIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  IELTS Academic (minimum 7.0; 7.5 or higher preferred): If your first and native language is not English, you must provide official scores on the TOEFL or IELTS Academic. Minimum for review: 'A minimum overall score of 7.0 (A score of 7.5 or higher is preferred)'. The IELTS TRF goes in the English Language Requirement section of the application or is sent from the test center.

  TOEFL iBT (minimum 100): If your first and native language is not English, you must provide official scores on the TOEFL or IELTS Academic. Minimum for review: TOEFL iBT 'A score of 100 or higher'. Since January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT reports also show a new 1–6 scale; the page gives no minimum on that scale for this program. TOEFL school report code is 2594.

  Waiver / exemption: Not required if both are true: the language of instruction of your undergraduate degree-conferring institution is English, and you completed your entire undergraduate degree in English. ('First and native language' means the language you learned first or speak best.)

• PTE Academic (not listed)If your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  The English proficiency requirement names only 'the TOEFL or IELTS Academic'; PTE Academic is not on the list.

• Admissions interview (may be required)If invited

  An additional admissions interview may be required.

• Video essay (one minute, randomized prompt)Required · before you submit

  You will be required to submit a one-minute video essay answering a randomized prompt prior to submitting your application.

Who can apply

• U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalentRequired

  Degree Program Qualifications: 'U.S. bachelor’s degree or international equivalent.' Policies: a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or an equivalent degree from an accredited/recognized institution abroad, must be earned before beginning graduate study.

• Demonstrated ability for critical thinking and leadership skillsRequired

  Listed under Degree Program Qualifications; the program page gives 'Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and leadership skills' as the required experience for both the full-time and part-time options. No years of work experience are stated.

• Essay 1 · Required · 500 wordsYour statement of academic purpose (500 words or fewer) should clearly and concisely address the following: - Your current role - Your purpose and interest in pursuing the M.S. in Applied Analytics - The specific skills and attributes you will bring to the program - How the program will help you achieve your career goals

  Your statement of academic purpose (500 words or fewer) should clearly and concisely address the following: - Your current role - Your purpose and interest in pursuing the M.S. in Applied Analytics - The specific skills and attributes you will bring to the program - How the program will help you achieve your career goals

• Essay 2 · Required · 250 wordsDescribe a challenge related to data or analytics that you have encountered. How did you resolve this challenge, and did you succeed? Your response should be no longer than 250 words.

  Describe a challenge related to data or analytics that you have encountered. How did you resolve this challenge, and did you succeed? Your response should be no longer than 250 words.