Application

What do I need to apply?

 

A current professional resume

An updated resume will provide useful information about your professional achievements and activities. We recommend adding brief contextual information to communicate in detail those positions or experiences that, in your view, are especially relevant to your readiness to succeed in this program.

A personal statement

This brief written account (between 250 and 500 words) introduces you to the admissions committee. In the personal statement, you should describe your motivation for enrolling in the program, your relevant academic background and professional experience as well as any qualifications, skills, or achievements that relate to your preparation to succeed in the program. It would also be helpful to provide an account of why you are interested specifically in data science as a subject for graduate study.

A TOEFL or IEFTL score (if applicable)

International students whose native language is not English must also submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Notre Dame’s Graduate School will waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement for non-native English speakers who spent a minimum of two years at an academic institution whose primary language of instruction was English. In certain circumstances, applicants may need to provide a letter from the institution’s Registrar’s Office (or the office responsible for academic records) confirming English as the language of instruction. For more information on Notre Dame’s TOEFL or IETLS requirements, please review our FAQ document.

An application fee of $75

This fee covers the cost of submitting an application. Tuition for the program is separate from this fee.

Two letters of recommendation

Applicants should request three letters of recommendation, although only two letters are required. At least one of these letters should be from a person who has supervised you in a professional or academic context. All letters should speak to your ability to succeed in a graduate program with quantitative and technical content. Writers should know you well enough to describe your professional achievements, academic preparation, and any other relevant details with candor, detail, and objectivity. Recommendation writers can upload their letters directly into our application system. Letters of professional recommendation can be uploaded after submitting your application.

Unofficial transcripts from all educational institutions you have attended

These are acceptable for the preliminary admissions review. Official transcripts will be requested and are required to be submitted after the admissions decision.

Additional documentation

​​​​​​​We encourage applicants to share any additional credentials relevant to their qualifications or readiness for graduate study in data science. These credentials may include:

• Certificates of free or non-credit online course completion
• Credentials earned through continuing professional education
• Documentation of professional certifications not suitably captured on the resume
• Awards or recognitions relevant to the application
• Experience with programming languages not otherwise documented on the academic transcript or on the professional resume, such as evidence of completion of a basic online programming course

Other Recommendations (optional)

We encourage applicants to share any additional credentials relevant to their qualifications or readiness for graduate study in data science.

These credentials may include:

• Certificates of free or non-credit online course completion
• Credentials earned through continuing professional education
• Documentation of professional certifications not suitably captured on the resume
• Awards or recognitions relevant to the application
• Experience with programming languages not otherwise documented on the academic transcript or on the professional resume, such as evidence of completion of a basic online programming course.
• Submit GRE (or GMAT) test scores. Notre Dame does not require the GRE scores for your application. In this program, we review applications holistically and believe that the GRE is a good way for someone that does not have strong evidence of academic preparation to show that they are qualified for this program. If you have taken the GRE, we encourage you to submit your scores to your application, however, it is not a requirement.
  • If you do decide to submit your GRE score, please note that ETS will not report GRE scores that are more than five years old. We will also accept GMAT scores in place of the GRE General Test.
    • What if you’re still waiting on your test scores? GRE test scores can be uploaded after you submit your application.
    • What if you’re still waiting to take the test? Although you can send us your GRE scores later, if you haven’t already done so, we recommend scheduling a GRE test date online as soon as possible.