Inside the UVA School of Data Science: What Makes a Strong BSDS Applicant?

Dear Prospective BSDS Students,  
 
The School of Data Science Admissions team would like to share advice and application tips when applying to our B.S. in Data Science (BSDS) program.  
 
The biggest question we get from prospective BSDS students is what exactly we are looking for in an applicant and application. The honest answer is that we want to learn about you and hope that you will show us your authentic self! When reading your application, we want to learn about your goals, how you will use a data science degree, and whether you will be an active contributor to our close-knit community. 

I’ll share more about the specifics you can include in your application, but let’s address a few misconceptions first. 

There is No “Typical” BSDS Applicant 

Students interested in the BSDS have a wide array of interests and backgrounds. Whether your data science interest is in programming, mathematical and analytical algorithms, data systems and pipelines, data visualization and presentation, or maybe you’re not sure yet, you will have a place in our community. The School of Data Science will help you identify your interests, build your strengths, and help you become a well-rounded data scientist. 

The School of Data Science’s focus is to help you develop your ability to tackle real-world problems and correctly apply data science in a broad range of organizations and contexts. There is no minimum GPA requirement. We recognize you might be concerned about a lower performance in a course during your first year at the University of Virginia (UVA); however, we understand that a variety of factors could lead to lower grades or cause an outlier on your transcript. To us, your GPA is just a number in our holistic review of your application. 

There are No Required or Recommended Classes - Except the Two Prerequisites

All students must either be enrolled in or have completed DS 1001: Foundations of Data Science and DS 1002: Programming for Data Scientists (or equivalent) at the time of applying to the BSDS. Aside from taking these courses to build foundation knowledge in data science, there are no additional courses you are expected to complete. In fact, we encourage you to use your first year at UVA to explore and try classes that seem interesting to you.  
 
Similarly, there is no need to have prior data science experience. We recognize that not all applicants will have had opportunities to explore data science formally or informally through academics and extracurricular activities. Our hope is that you engage in opportunities that are interesting and meaningful to you. 

What are We Looking for in a BSDS Applicant? 

Our goal is to craft a community of motivated scholars who are passionate about collaboratively solving the world's challenges using data science, have the desire to apply their intellectual curiosity around data science to a broad range of compelling contexts, are ready to engage with a rigorous STEM curriculum, and recognize the value of diverse perspectives and strive to build and contribute to our inclusive community. Therefore, we holistically consider a balance of factors in our review of applications:  

• Strengths and Individual Background: Think broadly about yourself and consider what about your background, perspectives, and experiences makes you unique. What about your background stands out most? What are your strengths that have been shaped by this background? 
• Interest and Motivation to Pursue Data Science: In your DS 1001 essay, tell us where you see yourself in the field of data science. It’s okay if you’re not quite sure yet - that’s something you can develop during your time in the major. 
• Extracurricular Experiences and Community Engagement: On your resume, share with us the opportunities you have been able to engage in since your junior year of high school. This can include paid and unpaid roles or jobs, internships, research experiences, extracurricular involvements, athletics, community service, etc. 
• Overall Academic Performance: While there is no minimum GPA requirement for the BSDS application, we do hope that you challenge yourself academically and explore various disciplines and topic areas, even if there are missteps along the way. The application gives you the opportunity to provide insight and context regarding any missteps or additional information you wish to share with us. 

Ultimately, we recognize that everyone has unique backgrounds and experiences. Throughout the application process, we encourage you to share your experiences, accomplishments, interests, and motivations that make up who you are. Be confident in who you are and show us your authentic self. 

We are here to support you throughout the application process! Check out our upcoming events and reach out with questions at any time.  
 
Sincerely,  

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Jacob Angelo, Admissions Counselor
University of Virginia School of Data Science

Click here for more BSDS information, including academic information, deadlines, prerequisites and FAQs.