ADMISSIONS

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A bachelor’s degree in statistics is not required for the MASDS program, but applicants should have taken at least 12 quarter courses (or eight semester courses) in substantial upper division quantitative work, including, but not limited to, courses in statistics, mathematics, computer science, and electrical engineering.

Important degree preparation is likely to come from job experience, in addition to undergraduate education. Many applicants will have gained valuable work experience in fields that have, or need, quantitative thinking. We will highly value documented work experience in applying quantitative methods in research, business, or other professional environments. For example, letters of recommendation from supervisors and colleagues will be as valued as those from former instructors.

Strong applicants to the MASDS program will have a strong quantitative background including: linear algebra, multivariate calculus, probability and statistics and programming/coding in some language. Applicants must be adept at using advanced quantitative concepts in order to complete the program. Proficiency in the use of R will be gained as students complete the MASDS coursework.

The official deadline to submit applications is March 1st, however late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Our application is completely online and all materials should be uploaded via UCLA’s Application for Graduate Admission: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply/. For application purposes only, students will need to upload a copy of their transcripts and exam scores on to the online application which will be used to evaluate your admission’s decision. However, if the student is admitted into the program, the department will require original hard-copies of transcripts and/or exam scores (See Official Academic Records below).

All applicants must apply online via UCLA’s Application for Graduate Admission. You will be asked for “Major Code” when you apply. It is 00J3. The GRE Code for UCLA is 4837 and the code for the Statistics & Data Science department is 0705. Applications will be available around October 2023. The deadline to submit applications for Fall 2024 is March 1, 2024.

Complete applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received.

Application Materials

University Requirement: the minimum requirement for admission for a U.S. applicant is a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, comparable in standard and content to a bachelor’s degree from the University of California. A scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better, or its equivalent if the letter grade system is not used, is required for the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of undergraduate study and in any post-baccalaureate study.

MASDS Requirement: applicants must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2 in upper division courses.

Please refer to this link for what materials are to be uploaded during the application period. Upon admission into our program, official transcripts should be emailed from your school directly to the following email address: mas-office@stat.ucla.edu or laurie.leyden@stat.ucla.edu for quicker processing. If your school does not deliver official transcripts electronically, hard-copy transcripts should be sent to the following address:

Attn: Master of Applied Statistics & Data Science
UCLA Department of Statistics & Data Science
8125-D Math Sciences Building
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1554

Please note that submitted records become the property of the University and cannot be returned. If you are a university/college senior, do not risk missing the deadline by waiting for senior-year grades to be posted before submitting your application and transcript. UCLA undergraduates are exempt from mailing official copies of UCLA transcripts.

The GRE is highly recommended but optional for this program. If you are submitting a GRE score, an official GRE General Test score must be sent directly by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). There are no substitutes for the GRE, including the GMAT. A GRE score is valid if the examination was given no more than five years prior to the date your application is submitted. If your score has expired, please re-take the exam.

Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose and personal statement. These statements provide an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate to the Admissions Committee how their previous academic training, research or interest areas, work experience, and any other relevant evidence based qualifications have prepared them to contribute to the UCLA MASDS program and to the field. Both statements will also assist the committee in determining if a fellowship can be awarded. Please include your future career goals and how obtaining a MASDS might help you reach your professional potential.

Important degree preparation is likely to come from job experience, in addition to undergraduate education. Many applicants will have gained valuable work experience in fields that have, or need, quantitative thinking. We will highly value documented work experience in applying quantitative methods in research, business, or other professional environments.

The statements can make direct references to the resume/CV.

Applicants must submit a resume or CV. This document is especially useful in showcasing your experiences outside the classroom and any awards or honors you may have received.

Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals who are well acquainted with your performance in academic or work settings, preferably direct professional or academic supervisors. Although only two letters are required, a third letter will be reviewed if provided.

The 2023-2024 application fee was $135.00 for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents and $155.00 for all other applicants. The application fee is devoted to the administrative cost of processing all applications received, and is not refundable under any circumstances, regardless of the outcome, the date of filing, time of review, or if, for whatever the reason, the application is withdrawn. The 2024-2025 application fee will be posted as soon as it is available or you may refer here: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/faqs/

Additional Details

Expenses

UCOP has approved a $1170.75 per unit charge to students for the 2023 – 2024 academic year: https://registrar.ucla.edu/fees-residence/self-supporting-degrees

If a student chooses a typical path of 2 courses per quarter, this amounts to $28,098 per year. Students enrolled in this program are also required to pay student services fee, campus‐based fees and health insurance.

If you drop your courses:

  1. By the end of 3rd week (100% refund of all units dropped)
  2. By the end of 4th week (50% refund of all units dropped)
  3. After 4th week (0% refund of all units dropped)

Please refer to or bookmark this webpage to understand how the UCLA Registrar’s office defines the end of the week for each week of the quarter:
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Term-Calendar
Typically the cutoff time is at 11:59pm at the end of each week. The refunds listed above apply to your tuition fees only. They do not include campus based fees. Please refer to the deadlines posted at this link. UCLA Registration fees still adhere to the end of the 2nd week deadline.

Financial Aid

The Department of Statistics intends to make the program accessible to all prospective students. The MASDS program offers fellowships to assist a few students with paying the program costs. For now, please visit the Financial Aid Office at financialaid.ucla.edu for information about financial aid specific to graduate students.

Housing

The Department of Statistics & Data Science does not provide housing assistance. UCLA Housing has on campus living options and provides assistance in locating off campus housing. Please visit housing.ucla.edu for more information.

Questions?

For questions about our departmental admissions policies and procedures, you may contact mas-office@stat.ucla.edu.
 Please visit the UCLA Graduate Division’s website at grad.ucla.edu for comprehensive information about admission to graduate programs at UCLA. If you have specific questions about the online UCLA Graduate Division Application system, please email the Graduate Division Admissions office at onlineapphelp@grad.ucla.edu.
 If you experience technical issues with the online application, please use the “TECHNICAL SUPPORT” button found at the top of each page of the application.