Admissions

The BSDS program has prerequisites of the following two courses, which must be completed or in progress at the time of application:

• DS 1001: Foundations of Data Science (3 credits)
• DS 1002: Programming for Data Science (3 credits)*

Both courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters, can be taken in any order, do not have prerequisites, and may be taken concurrently. Prerequisite courses must be taken for a grade and not CR/NC. The Undergraduate Record represents the official repository for academic program requirements.  

*Refer to our FAQs for alternatives to DS 1002. 

Application Materials

You are required to provide the following by the application deadline:

• Completion of the application, where you will enter your Student Information System (SIS) credentials to fill your information and UVA transcript. You also have the following short answer questions: 
  • Required – UVA-wide Essay: What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (250 words or fewer) 
  • Required – Short Answer #1: Provide an image that demonstrates your unique definition of data science and describe your perspective in 150 words or fewer. You may use the image from your DS 1001 essay, or you are welcome to create a new one. (Upload image; description 150 words or fewer) 
  • Required – Short Answer #2: Based upon the Domains of Data Science Model, what are the practice areas that currently ignite your enthusiasm and curiosity? (150 words or fewer) 
  • Optional Addendum: An application addendum is not required; however, you may have additional information that would be useful for the admissions committee. Use this space to discuss positive dimensions of your background not otherwise highlighted in this application, or to provide insight and/or context regarding other aspects, including, but not limited to, aberrant grades, gaps in your academic record or resume, or other extenuating circumstances. (250 words or fewer; optional). 
     
• Upload a resume, which includes your academic, work, or extracurricular experience since you graduated from high school. We hope your resume will demonstrate your involvement, such as clubs and activities outside of school, internships or paid jobs, leadership, service, family responsibilities, civic engagement, military experience, gap year activities, coding or research projects you’re proud of, and any other accomplishments you’d like to share. Limit your resume to one page. 
  • We strongly encourage applicants to refer to UVA Career Center’s resume resources. 
• Request one professor, supervisor, advisor, manager, etc. to complete a recommendation form (linked in the application). This recommender may NOT be anyone affiliated with the School of Data Science (i.e. professor, staff, student, etc.). Only one recommendation is permitted. 

Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. For more information about the application process, refer to the FAQs page.

First-year students apply to the major in their second semester and will know their admission decision in the summer. 

• Application Opens: February 1, 2025
• Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
• Admission Decisions Released: June 13, 2025
• Deadline to Respond to Offer: June 23, 2025
• Waitlist Closes: August 15, 2025

Enrolling students should refer to the FAQs for next steps. 

Due to the three-year structure of the BSDS program, only first-year students may apply. Second-, third-, and fourth-year students, as well as transfer students, may pursue the undergraduate Minor in Data Science, or consider one of our graduate programs.