Graduate Programs

Admission

Data Science - Residential

How to Apply

We require that you submit your application online. For up-to-date information and expectations, please visit our "How to Apply" page. There are specific application instructions to guide you through the application, and you should pay particular attention to the instructions regarding transcripts. We are unable to review incomplete applications.

What We Are Looking For

We want to know if your interests and abilities match the program you are applying for and if you seem likely to benefit from an education in the school. If you think it is helpful, you can supplement the required application materials with other information that sheds light on your capabilities. A resume or curriculum vitae is ideal for including citations or links to any published work, hardware artifacts, or software artifacts you have produced.

Items that are important in the evaluation process include:

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

We do not require a bachelor's degree in computer science, informatics, or a related field, but we are looking for background in key areas. You should have some experience or knowledge of programming languages such as Python and R, as well as an understanding of mathematical principles (ie: linear algebra, calculus, probability, statistics, or discrete math) before joining the program; experience with data structures and algorithms is helpful, but not required.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Except in special cases, references should be from academic faculty, including at least some in informatics and computing. We ask for three letters but you may submit more. 

GRE SCORES

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is optional. We do not have cut-offs for GRE scores, preferring instead to use the full information available in your application to evaluate. Submit scores to institution code 1324 and department code 0403.  If your name on the test report differs from the name on the online application, please list the test score name in the comment section of the application.

TOEFL SCORES

Prospective students must demonstrate a level of English proficiency adequate for graduate study.  We require all students who are non-native English speakers to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.  TOEFL scores are good for two (2) years from the date you took the exam.  We expect a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT), 250 on the computer-based test or 600 or higher on the paper-based test. Submit TOEFL scores to institution 1324 and department code 99.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The most important information to include in your statement of purpose concerns your academic goals. Tell us which research areas you are interested in and which Indiana University faculty you would like to work with. You may also use your statement of purpose to explain any anomalies in your record. The length should be approximately 750 words.

TRANSCRIPTS

Submit transcripts via the online application from each previous undergraduate or graduate institution other than Indiana University that you have attended. You can upload transcripts under the "Department Information" tab, "additional upload" section.  Combine all pages from one or more transcripts into a single .pdf document.  We are most interested in the grades you received in courses that are relevant to our graduate programs.

RESUME

A skills-based resume helps to identify your most relevant areas of achievement and knowledge.  Listing programming languages is helpful as is including any awards or publications.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you will receive an email from the Office of International Services (OIS), requesting you to submit financial documentation.  Financial documentation must demonstrate that you have resources available to support your first year of study in the United States.  OIS will issue immigration documents once they receive requested documentation.  Visit their website for in-depth information at ois.iu.edu.  Direct any questions regarding the student visa process to newtoiu@iu.edu rather than the department.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Deadlines for application submission for each program are published on our "How to Apply" page.

ADMISSION STATUS AND NOTIFICATION

We will let you know as soon as we have reached a decision.

Occasionally, denied applicants contact us for an explanation. Unfortunately, we receive several hundred applications per year, and we do not have the staff to explain admission decisions on a case-by-case basis.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

  • Any admissions questions not covered in our "How to Apply" content?
  • Any international-student questions?
  • The "How to Apply" page contains the most up-to-date and comprehensive information regarding each step of the admissions process. Read it in its entirety and use the included Application Instructions when completing your application.
  • Luddy Homepage - information on all programs, faculty, research, and happenings at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.

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