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Assured Enrollment Pilot Gives First-Year Students Early Pathway to the B.S. in Data Science
The University of Virginia School of Data Science is reimagining how students begin their undergraduate journey by becoming the first school at UVA to offer Assured Enrollment into an undergraduate major.
Launching as a pilot for the Class of 2030, Assured Enrollment allows first-year students to secure a place in the Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS) before the traditional competitive application process. Students who complete the program's published requirements are guaranteed admission to the major, allowing them to begin planning their academic pathway with greater confidence from their first semester at UVA.
The initiative reflects the School's commitment to engaging future data scientists earlier as demand for artificial intelligence and data-driven expertise continues to grow across every industry.
"As interest in data science continues to accelerate, we want to connect with students much earlier in their UVA experience," said Interim Dean Jeffrey Blume. "Assured Enrollment helps students chart a clear academic path, build relationships with our faculty and staff, and become part of the School of Data Science community from the very beginning of their college career."
Unlike many early admission pathways, Assured Enrollment is intentionally non-binding. Students are encouraged to explore the breadth of academic opportunities available at UVA during their first year and may ultimately pursue another field of study. Likewise, students who decide later that data science is the right fit may still apply through the traditional BSDS admissions process.
Benefits to Assured Enrollment
Students participating in the pilot program receive:
- Guaranteed placement in the BSDS major before the traditional application process
- Personalized academic planning during their first year
- Priority registration for first-semester BSDS courses
- Invitations to School of Data Science events and community programming
- Early connection to faculty, staff, and fellow future BSDS students
"We want students who are excited about data science to focus on being college students during their first year," said Degi Betcher, director of admissions and recruitment. "Assured Enrollment provides peace of mind by allowing students to secure their place in the major early, reducing the pressure of a future admissions process and giving them the freedom to focus on their academic and personal growth. It also helps them begin building connections with the School of Data Science community from day one."
The BSDS combines rigorous technical preparation in computing, statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with an emphasis on responsible innovation, ethics, communication, and interdisciplinary problem solving. Students can tailor their education through concentrations spanning analytics, systems, design, value, and collaborations with disciplines across the University.
The School of Data Science began welcoming its first undergraduate cohort in 2024. The launch of Assured Enrollment marks another milestone in the continued evolution of UVA's newest school and its commitment to preparing the next generation of responsible data scientists and AI leaders.
Learn more about Assured Enrollment at the University of Virginia. Attend an information session during Summer Orientation, complete an interest form, or connect with admissions today.
