Data Science Master's Application

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required to apply for admission. Students who have taken the GRE may include the test result as additional information in their application if they wish. The GRE scores that we do receive play a minor and supporting role in a holistic evaluation of the application. If you wish to submit your GRE score, submit a request to ETS to send it directly to the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan code is 1839. 

All applicants should report their Grade Point Average (GPA) on page 5 of the online application. The GPA should be reported using a standard U.S. four point scale. Applicants who attended an institution outside the United States should follow the instructions to convert their international average grade point to a U.S. four point GPA (see "How to Convert Grades to a U.S. GPA" ). All students are responsible for reporting their GPA using a standard U.S. four point scale. 

A scanned/electronic copy of the official transcript will be used for initial review by our admissions committee.  You will be required to have your official transcript sent to the Rackham Graduate School only if you are recommended for admission; please see Instructions for Submitting Transcripts. Be sure to include your University of Michigan ID number on all documents.  If there is anything you wish to explain about your transcript, please do so in the Statement of Purpose.

Two letters of recommendation in support of the student's application must be submitted. You may select a 3rd recommendation, however this is optional. The admissions committee puts great weight on concrete letters of recommendation from people who are in a position to judge your potential for successfully completing graduate studies in data science. To write the letters you should select people who can tell us about your training and abilities, and about any special talents you might have. Recommenders must complete their recommendations online. When the applicant registers the recommenders' names in CollegeNet, an email is automatically sent with a link to enter the recommendation online. Applicants should check the status of their recommendations on the CollegeNet website status page. Please see Instructions for Submitting Online Letters of Recommendations.

The Statement of Purpose gives you an opportunity to tell us about yourself and your reasons for wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Data Science at Michigan. You should tell us about your background, motivating influences that aroused your interest in Data Science, and your career goals and objectives. If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program elsewhere, you should tell us why you wish to change institutions or degree programs.

Submit your curriculum vitae or resume that describes your education, work experience, research and teaching experience, professional affiliations, volunteer activity and community engagements, honors and awards.

There is a non-refundable application fee, subject to change:

• United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status — $75
• Non-U.S. Citizens — $90

Applications received without fees will not be processed. The application fee is paid online with a credit card before the application is submitted. 

Applicants who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or have DACA status may be eligible for a fee waiver. First, please review the options through our Rackham Graduate School. If you do not qualify for any of these programs but need financial assistance in order to apply, please complete this form. There may be a limited number of fee waivers available through the department. Requests for fee waivers must be received by January 5. Waivers must be granted prior to submission of application; applicants cannot be reimbursed if they have already paid the fee. Unfortunately, application fee waivers are not available for international students. 

You can check your application status on the University of Michigan Wolverine Access web site. If you are new to the university, do not create your friend account until you submit your application and are notified through e-mail confirming your submission and U-M ID number. Enter your e-mail address into the Friend Account Request Form. Follow the instructions in the confirmation email to log into Wolverine Access > New and Prospective Student Business to create your Friend Account. You will need to enter your UMID and birthdate. For more instructions see the Information and Technology Services website.