University of Chicago

• Candidate statement (max 700 words)Required

  The candidate statement is a key part of the application. The application includes a prompt with detailed instructions. Do not restate your resume; the statement should not exceed 700 words.

• Programming supplement (PDF, max two pages)Required

  The application contains a section on programming skills. Include a PDF of no more than two pages demonstrating current programming language skills (e.g. work completed in R or Python). Code may show: ingesting data from csv, managing data types, using your function for data analysis, visualizing data, wrangling data, writing your own function, importing libraries (not all are needed). Applicants with limited skills in R or Python can and do get accepted, but prior programming experience is valued.

• Resume/CVRequired

  The admissions committee will review your resume. Include work experience (including internships and part-time positions in the analytics/data science space), major accomplishments and awards, educational background, and professional conferences attended. Undergraduate or graduate GPA is not needed.

• Unofficial transcripts from all previous colleges and universitiesRequired

  When applying, only unofficial transcripts are required: upload one unofficial transcript from each university attended (an unofficial undergraduate transcript is required even if you hold advanced degrees). If admitted, official transcripts must be sent (e-transcripts to applieddatascience-admissions@uchicago.edu, or by mail in the original school-sealed envelope) before matriculation; an attested degree certificate is needed if the transcript lacks degree conferral information.

• Two letters of recommendation2 letters

  Strongly recommended that at least one letter is written by someone such as a direct manager/supervisor or internship supervisor who can attest to skills demonstrated in a professional workplace. Recommended sources: professors; supervisors or managers; professional mentors. Letters from family members, friends, or peers are not accepted.

  The program requires two letters of recommendation. Letters can be uploaded after you submit your application; recommenders upload through the URL sent to them by the online application system (emailed attachments are not accepted).

• GMAT or GREOptional

  GMAT (not required; optional to submit): The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions, but applicants can still submit scores. GMAT school code H9X-WG-70.

  GRE (not required; optional to submit): The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions, but applicants can still submit scores. GRE school code 1832.

• Duolingo English Test not acceptedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  UChicago accepts only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic as proof of English proficiency and does not accept any other proficiency tests, including Duolingo.

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

  IELTS Academic (if proof of English is required): Applicants who do not meet the English Language Proficiency criteria must submit proof. Minimum IELTS: 7 (no subscore requirement). IELTS Academic, UKVI Academic and One Skill Retake Academic are accepted (not General Training); scores valid two years.

  TOEFL iBT (if proof of English is required): Applicants who do not meet the English Language Proficiency criteria must submit proof. Minimum TOEFL: 102 (prior requirement) or 5 (current requirement; no subscore requirement). Only the TOEFL iBT (including at-home) is accepted; scores are valid two years; institution code 1832.

  Waiver / exemption: UChicago waiver criteria (applied automatically by the application system): Primary Language Waiver — English has been a primary language of communication and schooling since childhood (attest on the application); Education Waiver — enrolled for at least one full academic year in the last ten years as a full-time, degree-seeking student at an accredited English-medium post-secondary institution in a listed country or territory (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Africa). Remote study, non-degree programs and high school do not qualify. Do not contact departments or Admissions regarding a waiver.

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

  Not on the list of accepted tests: only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of English proficiency, and no other proficiency tests are accepted.

• Virtual Portfolio: optional second video responseIf invited · with the application

  A second video prompt response is optional; approximately 1:30 minutes.

• Virtual Portfolio: required video responseRequired · with the application

  Short recorded video in response to a given prompt within the application. One video prompt response is required; each video should be approximately 1:30 minutes in length.

Who can apply

• Bachelor's degreeRequired

  A bachelor's degree is required to apply to the program.

• Prior programming experience (valued by the admissions committee)Optional

  Although applicants with limited skills in R or Python can and do get accepted into the program, the admissions committee values prior programming experience. Optional noncredit foundational courses (statistics, R, Python, linear algebra, coding with GenAI) are available as asynchronous resources after you complete the foundational assessments.

• Work experience (recommended, not required)Optional

  Many In-Person students are early in their careers, but the most competitive applicants will have at least 1 year of full-time work experience and 1 or more relevant, sustained internships. Those with 3+ years of full-time work experience are pointed to the Online program.