Data Science Institute

FAQ

Application and eligibility questions and information about the Data Science Master's Program.

Application and Eligibility Questions

Brown University requires a minimum 3.0 on a 4-point scale for admission (with exceptions for unusual circumstances). 

We no longer require the GRE General or GRE Subject test and submitted scores will not be evaluated as part of the application. 

This number varies from year to year and is not all that useful in determining any one applicant’s chances of admission. The strength of your application will depend on a combination of factors, including your GPA, your personal statement, your recommendations, and your academic preparation for this program (including your English proficiency, if you are not a native speaker of English). For context, we usually receive 700–800 applications each year and aim for a cohort of 40–45. See more information on our Apply page.

No. Applications have to be submitted completely before the deadline to be considered. Note that we need a complete application, including letters of recommendation and official score reports, before we can make admission decisions. Therefore, please give your letter writers enough time to write and mail your letters of support.  

To request a fee waiver, complete the Application Fee Waiver Request on the online application form. The fee waiver request form must be submitted no later than three days before the application deadline. Applicants will be notified by email regarding the outcome of their request and should not submit their application until receiving notification about their waiver. In addition, you will need to upload documentation that substantiates your financial hardship. 

Yes. We do not require your undergraduate degree to be four years in duration. 

We do not offer scholarships for the program. However, eligible students can complete the FAFSA and CSS profile to obtain loans. See Graduate Student Funding and Support page for more information on eligibility and financing options.

If you have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in English, you do not have to take an English language test. For more details, please look at Brown's TOEFL/IELTS waiver policy.

If you attended and completed a degree at an institution outside of the U.S. where English was the sole language of instruction, then you are not required to submit English scores. If this is the case, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu upon submitting your application so we can manually waive the requirement.

If you completed a degree from one of the following nations (Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada [except Quebec], Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom, West Indies, Zambia), an English language exam is not required, and no waiver submission or email is necessary.

Please review the Graduate school website for more information and resources for international applicants.

No, we do not accept transfer credits for this program.

Program Information

Yes, this is considered a STEM program for OPT extension purposes (this is a visa issue, of concern to international applicants). 

No. You can apply for the 5th-Year Master's Degree, but this program is not suitable for concurrent degrees.

Currently, no. Our Master's in Data Science program is entirely in-person.

However, we also offer an Online Master's in Data Science: Policy, Governance & Society with a different curriculum than our in-person program. 

There is no part-time option, though students are considered full-time (for visa purposes) with only two credits per semester, and the program can be taken over a longer period in that way. There is no option that is compatible with full-time work, as the courses are quite challenging and most are held during work hours. 

Please see our Apply page for tuition information. 

All incoming students matriculate in the Fall semester in September. We do not have an option to matriculate in the Spring. 

The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) will be the faculty advisor for all students within the Data Science master's program. The DGS will often be your first point of contact for any issues you might have and will help with questions related to your studies such as courses, electives, or program structures.

What if I Have Other Questions?

General information about Brown’s Graduate School.

For questions about the data science program and courses, please email dsi-academic@brown.edu. Please note that we have very limited resources for speaking with prospective applicants by phone or Zoom.

For questions about the electronic application process, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.

We will hold virtual information sessions during the fall.