Admissions

We welcome applicants from all undergraduate majors or programs of study who have earned their bachelor's degree prior to matriculation from a three- or four-year accredited institution.

The Ph.D. in Data Science program requires several prerequisite courses. You can still apply without having all prerequisites, but they must be completed prior to matriculation. All enrolling students must provide proof of completion of prerequisites prior to the start of classes.

The following are required upon matriculation:

Multivariable Calculus
Must be completed at an accredited institution, for a grade, either in-person or online, and at a college level; a course or courses that cover(s) concepts through multivariable calculus and functions in more than one dimension. In the U.S., this is typically a three-course sequence (Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III). Certificates, open courses, and boot camps will not satisfy the requirement.

Linear or Matrix Algebra
Must be completed at an accredited institution, for a grade, either in-person or online, and at a college level; a course or courses that cover(s) linear or matrix algebra. This may also be met by certificate through the UVA School of Data Science's Linear Algebra for Data Scientists Bootcamp. Other certificates, open courses, and boot camps will not satisfy the requirement.

Statistics
Must be completed at an accredited institution, for a grade, either in-person or online, and at a college level; a course or courses that cover(s) concepts in probability and statistical inference. AP Statistics with a score of 4 or 5 is also acceptable. Certificates, open courses, and boot camps will not satisfy the requirement.

Programming Experience
This experience can be demonstrated by completion of a course in computer science from an accredited college or university or substantial experience working with a programming language (such as Python, R, Matlab, C++, or Java). We will ask you to detail this experience in your application.

If you completed the prerequisites under a different title (e.g., instead of Calculus III, the course is listed as Mathematics IV on your transcript), you must submit a course description and/or syllabus of the course to confirm the completion of the prerequisites.  

The application requires the following materials to be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered complete:

Application Questions

• Excellence in data science requires collaboration; students and faculty succeed by working together and relying on one another. What about your background, perspective, or life experiences will enable you to contribute to our collaborative community? (250 words or fewer)
• It is helpful for the admission committee to understand your degree of interest for each of the research areas below. Allocate a total of 100 points across the list. For example, someone interested in AI research applied to climate science might allocate 50 points to “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning" and 50 points to “Environment and Climate Science” while allocating 0 points to the other categories. Someone fully committed to Human-centered design may allocate 100 points to “Human-Centered Design and Interaction” and 0 points to all the other categories. Someone who is open to exploring and researching in any of the interest areas might allocate 10 points to each category. Note that indicating a high degree of interest in one research area does not guarantee or obligate you to pursue it if admitted.
  • ____ Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • ____ Biomedical, Health, and Life Sciences
  • ____ Business, Markets, and Policy
  • ____ Computational Sciences
  • ____ Data Ethics and Society
  • ____ Engineering, Robotics, and Physical Sciences
  • ____ Environment and Climate Science
  • ____ Human-Centered Design and Interaction
  • ____ Sports Science and Analytics
  • ____ Theory, Foundations, and Advanced Methodologies
• It is helpful for the admission committee to understand your research interests. Review the Research Labs that are currently open to new students. The listing includes research interests (right column) and more descriptive research tags (at the end of each lab description). List three research tags which best reflect your research interests in order of preference. Note that selecting a research tag does not guarantee or obligate you to pursue it if admitted.
• Identify one of the faculty members from the Research Labs listings whose research aligns with your interests and propose a future research project that builds on that faculty member’s previously published work. Note that our Ph.D. program does not require you to have identified a faculty advisor before applying, and mentioning a specific faculty member does not guarantee or obligate you to match with them if admitted. (250 words or fewer)
• Repeat the project proposal for a second faculty member from the Research Labs listings. (250 words or fewer)
• OPTIONAL: Use this space to provide insight and/or context regarding aspects of your application not otherwise addressed in the application, including, but not limited to, aberrant grades, gaps in your academic record or resume, or other extenuating circumstances. (250 words or fewer)

Audio Prompt

• In 45 seconds, describe a single project or experience that demonstrates your enthusiasm and curiosity for data science, which the School defines broadly via the Domains of Data Science Model. 

Letters of Recommendation (3)

Three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application. Once you have saved the contact information for a reference, the individual will receive email instructions to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The Admission Committee prefers (but does not require) at least two letters to be from an individual with substantial knowledge of your academic accomplishments. An application will not be considered complete until all letters of recommendation are received. 

Curriculum Vitae 

Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) will demonstrate your preparedness for graduate study, including work, research, involvement in activities outside of school or work (such as leadership, service, civic engagement), and any other accomplishments you’d like to share. You can find guidance about your CV here.

English-Language Test Scores

If English was NOT the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution, you are required to submit your TOEFL or IELTS scores. Test scores are valid for two years from the application deadline.

If you have taken an exam more than once, you may list each set of scores. We will consider the highest of each attempt to calculate your new score. If you have not taken the exam yet, please enter the date on which you plan to take the exam. Test scores must be submitted within one week (7 days) of the program application deadline. 

We require minimum scores of: 

• TOEFL (iBT): 100 overall (including minimum section scores of 22 in speaking, 22 in writing, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening
• IELTS: 7.0 overall (including minimum section scores of 6.5)

We will only waive the English-Language Test Score requirement if your undergraduate degree was taught in English. We will not waive this requirement for graduate degrees taught in English or based upon your citizenship status. 

Enrolling students must provide official TOEFL and IELTS scores, and will be required to take the University of Virginia’s English Language Proficiency Exam (UVELPE) prior to the start of their first term; visit the UVA Center for American English & Culture FAQs page for more information.

No Other Standardized Tests

The Ph.D. in Data Science does not review other standardized test scores (i.e., GRE, GMAT, MCAT) in its holistic evaluation of applicants.

Transcripts

See below under "Domestic Applicants" or "International Applicants" for more information. 

Transcripts

All applicants must upload unofficial transcripts of their entire post-secondary academic record to the online application, including all undergraduate- and graduate-level institutions attended. Enrolling students must provide official transcripts for all degree-granting institutions.

All enrolling students must submit proof of degree conferral by August 1. Send official transcripts electronically to sdsadmission@virginia.edu or by mail to:

Mailing Address 
School of Data Science Admissions 
P.O. Box 401109 
Charlottesville, VA 22904

Physical Address (for DHL and FedEx) 
School of Data Science Admissions 
Room 232 
1001 Emmet Street North 
Charlottesville, VA 22903

The School of Data Science values the backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that our international students contribute to our community, and we welcome prospective students from around the world. All applicants are considered in the same pool regardless of the prospective student’s citizenship and the country of the student’s undergraduate institution.

International applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution equivalent to a four-year American degree, which may include an undergraduate degree earned in three years. 

Transcripts

If English was the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution(s): upload unofficial transcripts of your entire post-secondary academic record to the online application, including all undergraduate- and graduate-level institutions attended. You are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS and this requirement will automatically be waived on your application.

If English was NOT the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution(s): you are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation to help us better understand your educational background and capabilities. IEE and SpanTran are NACES-member companies that have created custom applications for the School of Data Science at a discounted rate. We accept transcript evaluations from all NACES-member evaluators. You must also submit your TOEFL/IELTS results. 

All enrolling students must submit proof of degree conferral by August 1. Send official transcripts electronically to sdsadmission@virginia.edu or by mail to:

Mailing Address   
School of Data Science Admissions   
PO Box 401109   
Charlottesville, VA 22904

Physical Address (for DHL and FedEx)
School of Data Science Admissions   
Room 232   
1001 Emmet Street North   
Charlottesville, VA 22903

OPT/STEM OPT

Ph.D. in Data Science graduates will be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (12 months) and consecutively STEM OPT Extension (24 months).  

F-1 Visa/I-20

Admitted international applicants will be required to submit supplemental documentation to the International Student & Scholars Program confirming the financial resources available for their study in the United States. Timely submission of the I-20 request form and financial forms is imperative in receiving the I-20 form and applying for the F-1 student visa or transferring the SEVIS record. Connect with the International Student Office with all questions related to student visas and immigration statuses. Do not submit financial documentation with your application. 

All graduate applications to the School of Data Science require an application fee of $85 USD or qualifying waiver. Domestic applicants may be eligible for an application fee waiver through the University's Office of Graduate Outreach and Engagement; check your eligibility here. If you are eligible, you will have the option to request a waiver after submitting the application and BEFORE making the payment. 

We also offer select automated fee waivers; qualifying applicants will automatically have their application fee waived, with no further action or documentation required:

• Active duty and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Current undergraduate students who receive the Pell Grant
• Citizens of countries on the United Nation's LDC list

Finally, email us at SDSadmissions@virginia.edu to request a departmental fee waiver code if you:

• Are employed full-time by the University of Virginia (Academic Division or Medical Center)
• Are employed full-time by a Qualifying Public Services Employer as determined by the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
• Completed your associate's degree at a school within the Virginia Community College System prior to earning your bachelor's degree

We cannot grant a fee waiver after payment has been made, and fees paid are non-refundable. An application will not be considered submitted until the fee is paid or the waiver has been processed. 

Admitted applicants will receive financial support from the School of Data Science for the duration of their enrollment in the program, pending continued enrollment, satisfactory completion of requirements, and progression through the program. This includes full remission of tuition, fees, the premium for single-person coverage through the University of Virginia’s student health insurance plan, and annual wages. Read more on the Tuition and Fees page. 

All UVA students, both domestic and international, who are charged the full comprehensive fees with their tuition must meet the health insurance verification requirements. Read the details of the health insurance requirements here. The health insurance premium will be covered under the financial aid package.
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For technical questions about the application, contact sdsadmission@virginia.edu. For all other questions, connect with us.