Graduate Program

Tips for Applying

The masters in data science program at the University of Rochester is competitive. In 2023, we received over 700 applications for the 50 full-time spots in our program. Here are some tips to make sure your application won't be easily dismissed and ways to make it shine.

Transcripts

• Make sure transcripts are in English or with a certified English translation.
• Make sure any uploaded documents/images are clearly readable and are oriented properly (portrait or landscape orientation) so they can be read easily by the reviewer.
• If you are a current fall student in a program and can include courses you are registered in the spring semester, it will give us a better idea of applicable coursework in your final semester of study.
• If you ever failed, withdrawn from, dropped, had an incomplete, or retaken a course that is noted on your transcript, make sure you answer the question on the Personal: Required Background section honestly.
• You may submit an additional narrative (up to one page) and upload it to the Other Documents section of the application to explain low GPAs or unusual circumstances of your academic history.

Statement of Purpose/Resume/Diversity Statement

• Succinct statements of purpose are appreciated. While we don't give a maximum or minimum word count, the committee is reading numerous applications so keep it short and to the point. Communicate your story in a way that demonstrates you are the right person for our program. A good statement of purpose or resume is typically 1-2 pages in length.
• The diversity statement should not exceed 500 words.
• Readable formatting is appreciated. For the statement of purpose, an easily readable typeface (i.e. Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica) in 12pt is preferred. Do not double space your essay; single space or 1.15 sentence spacing looks good. Make sure you are formatting your paragraphs so that it is readable and tidy. Your statement is more like a cover letter than an academic essay paper.
• Standard or infographic resumes in other fonts are acceptable. A targeted resume that is customized to specifically highlight the experience and skills you have that are relevant to our program and demonstrate your qualifications are appreciated.
• Overuse of flowery words, run-on sentences, overly long paragraphs, incorrect grammar, lack of appropriate capitalization, missed punctuation and poor formatting may be a turn-off to a reviewer. Proofread your application, resume, and essays before submitting.

English Proficiency

• Submitting TOEFL/IELTS scores below the minimum are highly discouraged unless a retaken score with improvement meeting the minimum is also shown.
• Verified scores are preferred however self reported scores with a copy of the score report may be submitted for application review.
• We strongly encourage non-native English speakers to submit the additional one page narrative essay. Do not upload the statement of purpose, diversity essay, or research paper to this section. Best essays are personal narratives that give us a better understanding of your English language journey from formal education as well as travel and cultural experiences. As mentioned with statements of purpose, proofread your narrative so it is easy to read.

Recommendations

• Three letters of reference are required. Applications with two letters will not be reviewed.
• We do not advise submitting more than three recommendations. We appreciate quality, not quantity of letters.
• All letters of recommendation must be received before the review deadline. Make sure your reference is aware of the deadline.
• Letters should be written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments and personality.
• At least one of the recommenders should be a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student, unless you have been out of school for more than four years. Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work associates or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work. As a professional courtesy, you should notify your recommenders of the request for a recommendation letter in advance.
• We recommend using professional email addresses from the recommenders place of work (university or company) but we will accept personal email addresses if necessary.

Other Documents (optional)

• We appreciate quality, not quantity when submitting other documents.
• You may also submit an additional narrative (up to one page) and upload to the Other Documents section of the application to explain low GPAs or unusual circumstances of your academic history.
• Additional documents should reflect relevance to the data science application. Online course certificates or awards can be useful to see, but if there are too many to upload you should consider just a summary by listing them on your resume or on an additional one page attachment.
• Make sure any uploaded documents/images are clearly readable and are oriented properly (portrait or landscape orientation) so they can be read easily by the reviewer.
• Do not upload passport or other information for visa. This will be requested through another portal if you are admitted.