How to Apply

Candidates apply through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Applications to the Master of Science in Data Science degree program for entry in Fall 2025 will be available in Fall of 2024. The application deadline is December 1, 2024.

Questions about admissions? Write to APCOMPadmissions@seas.harvard.edu.

Required Application Materials

  • Online application form

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation submitted electronically

  • Transcripts; please upload copies of all transcripts to the Academic Background section of the online application; unofficial copies are acceptable. 

  • C.V. or Resume

  • If required, an official TOEFL or IELTS score report. The school code to use to submit your TOEFL score is 3451.  *TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold a Bachelor degree or its equivalent from an institution at which English is the language of instruction.  The score must be valid at the time of entry into the program.  Note that a masters degree from an English-speaking institution does not meet this requirement.   

  • The application fee of $105.00

  • Supplemental Data form 

    The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) will not be accepting General GRE scores nor Subject Test GRE scores for applicants to our Ph.D. programs or masters degree programs in Computational Science & Engineering and Data Science.  Applicants to these programs should not submit official or unofficial GRE scores to us nor mention them anywhere in their application materials.  

    Questions about the SEAS GRE policy and requirements should be directed to the SEAS Office of Graduate Admissions at admissions@seas.harvard.edu.
     

Admissions Criteria

  • SEAS takes a holistic approach to admission, taking all relevant application materials into account. There is no GPA cutoff.

  • We are looking for candidates who have demonstrated a capacity for advanced computational work by 

    • excelling in courses in math, computer science, statistics or scientific computing;

    • exploring computational  or statistical approaches in undergraduate research;

    • or through distinctive professional accomplishment.

  • There are no formal prerequisites for applicants to our master’s programs. However successful applicants do need to have sufficient background in Computer Science, Math, and Statistics - including fluency in at least one programming language and knowledge of calculus, linear algebra, and statistical inference.