University of Rochester

• Resume or CVRequired

  Listed among the required materials. Most resumes are one or two pages long; a targeted resume highlighting relevant experience and skills is appreciated.

• Statement of purposeRequired

  Required. Describe your motivations for applying, preparation for graduate-level study in data science, and study and research interests and career plans. Most statements are one to three pages long; succinct statements are appreciated. The tips page adds that no maximum or minimum word count is given.

• Academic transcripts (unofficial accepted)Required

  Transcripts from each post-secondary college or university attended or where you completed courses; unofficial transcripts or copies of in-process transcripts are acceptable. Non-English transcripts need a certified English translation. Applicants with a three-year bachelor's degree from a foreign institution must provide a WES evaluation certifying U.S. bachelor's equivalence (not required for students completing the fourth year of a four-year program).

• Letters of recommendation3 letters

  At least one (preferably two) recommenders should be a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student, unless you have been out of school for more than four years; substitutions may include work supervisors or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work.

  Three letters are required for the Data Science MS. Enter each reference's contact details (name, organization, title, phone, email) to submit; references are prompted to upload letters. The application can be submitted before letters arrive, but all letters must be received before the review deadline. Tips page: applications with two letters will not be reviewed, and more than three is not advised.

• GRE (optional)Optional

  GRE scores are not an application requirement, but applicants can submit them for consideration (sent from ETS or self-reported with a PDF of the ETS score report uploaded to 'Other Documents'). A good candidate has GRE quantitative scores in the 80th percentile and above the 60th percentile in verbal and analytical writing. ETS institution code 2928, department code 0499.

• Duolingo English Test, IELTS or TOEFLIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired — waiver possible

  Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score 120. DET scores must be sent directly from Duolingo (no cost to send). Scores more than two years old at the application deadline are not valid; self-reported scores with a copy of the score report can be reviewed, but verified scores are required for an admission offer. Below-minimum scores do not exclude an applicant from an offer, but English scores are strongly considered.

  IELTS: Minimum score 7. IELTS Indicator results not accepted; report to University of Rochester, Graduate Studies. Scores more than two years old at the application deadline are not valid; self-reported scores with a copy of the score report can be reviewed, but verified scores are required for an admission offer. Below-minimum scores do not exclude an applicant from an offer, but English scores are strongly considered.

  TOEFL: Minimum TOEFL iBT 100 for exams taken before January 21, 2026, and 5 for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026; the page also lists 620 (paper-based) and 260 (computer-based). In-person test or TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition accepted; TOEFL ITP Plus and MyBest scores not accepted. Institution code 2928. Scores more than two years old at the application deadline are not valid; self-reported scores with a copy of the score report can be reviewed, but verified scores are required for an admission offer. Below-minimum scores do not exclude an applicant from an offer, but English scores are strongly considered.

  Waiver / exemption: Automatically waived for citizens of Australia, Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean Nations, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States and Virgin Islands. May also be waived if the applicant has completed at least three years of full-time, in-person post-secondary study in one of those countries; if it does not waive automatically, contact the program. Not waived for English-taught degree programs in other countries, and the program may still require proof of English. FAQ: in rare exceptions applicants can petition the department to waive the exam (also the route for applicants with a master's, PhD or professional degree from an English-speaking institution).

• PTE Academic not listedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  Not listed: the accepted exams are Duolingo (DET), IELTS and TOEFL ('TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo scores are acceptable').

Who can apply

• Undergraduate mathematics through basic calculus (should have)Optional

  Prospective students should have undergraduate mathematics experience through basic calculus, but do not need college-level statistics or data analytics.

• Data structures (otherwise a summer bridging course is required after admission)Optional

  A summer bridging course will be required for admitted students who lack data structures: CSC 162 Data Structures and Algorithms in Python, a 5-week online course from late June or early July to early August. The offer letter states whether it is required, based on previous coursework, employment and grades.

• Some prior programming experience (should have)Optional

  Prospective students should also have some prior programming experience. FAQ: without introductory-level programming knowledge, additional courses may be recommended for entry into the program.

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (preferred, not required)Optional

  A bachelor's degree in a STEM field is preferred but not required; the program is designed for students with a background in any field of science, engineering, mathematics, or business.

• Essay 1 · Optional · 1 pageYou may also submit an additional narrative (up to one page) to explain low GPAs or unusual circumstances of your academic history.

  You may also submit an additional narrative (up to one page) to explain low GPAs or unusual circumstances of your academic history.

• Essay 2 · 1 pageWe strongly encourage applicants whose native language is not English (including those who have studied at English-speaking institutions within and outside the US) to upload a one page narrative essay written in English. Pursuing an advanced degree takes enormous effort, particularly when the language and culture are not your own. Applicants should share information about their experience with the English language including formal study in English, time spent in an English-speaking environment, challenges they overcame, and/or their comfort level speaking and writing in English.

  We strongly encourage applicants whose native language is not English (including those who have studied at English-speaking institutions within and outside the US) to upload a one page narrative essay written in English. Pursuing an advanced degree takes enormous effort, particularly when the language and culture are not your own. Applicants should share information about their experience with the English language including formal study in English, time spent in an English-speaking environment, challenges they overcame, and/or their comfort level speaking and writing in English.

• Essay 3 · RequiredThe Statement of Purpose should clearly describe your: Motivations for applying to the program. Preparation for graduate-level studies in data science. Study and research interests, future career plans, and other interests or aspects of your background that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. In the statement you can reflect on how your background aligns with the University’s core values of Meliora—ever better—including equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. You may explain how your unique experiences will shape your future pursuits in your chosen field. Please share here any information you think is relevant for the admissions committee to evaluate your application.

  The Statement of Purpose should clearly describe your: Motivations for applying to the program. Preparation for graduate-level studies in data science. Study and research interests, future career plans, and other interests or aspects of your background that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. In the statement you can reflect on how your background aligns with the University’s core values of Meliora—ever better—including equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. You may explain how your unique experiences will shape your future pursuits in your chosen field. Please share here any information you think is relevant for the admissions committee to evaluate your application.