Northwestern University

Personal statement. Questions are in the application and are subject to change; the page lists only examples of past questions.

Portfolio or links to GitHub highlighting any major coding projects you may have completed (listed among the materials the application requires).

Include all relevant professional and/or academic experience, including relevant coursework. There is no page limit; average resumes are one to two pages.

Unofficial transcripts from all degree conferring or relevant undergraduate and graduate institutions attended; include the institutional grading scale if available. Please do not send official transcripts to the program; official transcripts are needed only after acceptance and commitment.

Suggested mix (not strict requirements), by years since completing undergraduate degree: 0 years 3 academic; 1-3 years 2 academic, 1 professional; 3-5 years 1 academic, 2 professional; 5+ years 3 professional.

MLDS requires three letters of recommendation from professional supervisors, academic instructors, and/or research advisors.

The program does not require either GRE or GMAT scores to be eligible for admission.

Not listed: English proficiency is proved by sitting for either the TOEFL or IELTS exam.

IELTS: Lowest acceptable score 7.5. Scores must be less than two years old as of enrollment. Submit an unofficial score report; official reports are collected before matriculation if you enroll.

TOEFL iBT: Lowest acceptable score 100 (Internet-based test). Scores must be less than two years old as of enrollment. Submit an unofficial score report; official reports are collected before matriculation if you enroll.

Waiver / exemption: Not required if you will hold or do hold a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. FAQ wording: required for applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have not had English as their primary language of instruction at the university level.

Not listed: English proficiency is proved by sitting for either the TOEFL or IELTS exam.

The candidate video is optional but strongly encouraged. It must feature only the candidate and must be uploaded to the online application; videos sent via email or external links are not accepted.