Studying data science in the USA will enable you to have a successful career in this field. Data science is one of the most sought-after professions. Additionally, the United States has more than 60 universities that are well-grounded in offering data science courses. You can earn a bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree as well as a doctoral degree in data science in the USA. Studying data science in the USA will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of the data field and give you the skills that are required to work in any sector of the industry around the world.
Additionally, studying data science in the USA will give you the flexibility to explore various fields of data science and gain expertise in them. However, this field is a crucial one and you need to have the required qualifications to be able to gain admission to study in this field.
In this piece, I will walk you through the requirements and qualifications that are needed for studying data science in the USA.
Requirements for studying data science in the USA
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Complete your Higher Secondary Education
You need to complete your Secondary Education to study data science in the USA. Furthermore, you must have a minimum of credits in subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and other science subjects. Additionally, your minimum score should be about 60% to 80%. However, some universities may have higher or lower requirements.
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English Language Proficiency
International students must take and pass an English language proficiency test for admission to most US universities. You can take tests such as the IELTS and TOEFL. Additionally, the minimum required scores vary depending on the university. The minimum score for IELTS is 6.0 – 7.0. Additionally, the minimum score for TOEFL is 90 – 100.
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Submit a Letter of Recommendation
You need to have at least two recommendation letters. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.
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Personal Statement
You must submit a personal statement or essay outlining why you want to study data science in the USA. Additionally, you should explain what your career aspirations are, and how your academic and personal history has prepared them for this field of study.
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Submit your Academic Transcripts
You need to submit your academic transcripts while submitting your application. This should include all your previous education as well as all the grades and the courses. Additionally, your transcript should be written in English.
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Take Standardized Tests
Some universities might require you to take standardized tests such as ACT, and SAT. You need to make sure that you have a high score which meets the requirements for the university you are applying to. Therefore, you should verify from the university the required score that is required by the university
Requirements for Studying a Masters Degree in Data Science in the USA.
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Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
You must have a bachelor’s degree before you can study master’s in Data science in the USA. This bachelor’s degree must be a 4-year program from a recognized university. Your degree can be in statistics, computer science or a related field. Additionally, you must have a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in your GPA.
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English Proficiency Test
You will be required to write an English Language proficiency test if English is not your first language. Additionally, you must show proof of your English proficiency test. You can write tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. The minimum scores are 6.0 to 7.0 on the IELTS or 90–100 on the TOEFL.
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Submit Standardised Test Scores
Some universities in the USA may require you to submit test scores such as GMAT and GRE. The average required score for GMAT is 550 – 675. Additionally, the average required score for the GRE is 280 -330.
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Write a Statement of Purpose
You must write a statement of purpose explaining your qualifications, your plans as well and the reason why you are choosing to study data science in the USA. Additionally, this essay must be 1-2 pages long.
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Letters of Recommendation
You must submit at least three recommendation letters during your application. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.
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Submit your CV
Your CV should contain all the relevant work experiences you have in this field. Additionally, you should include your skills and every research experience you have in this field.
How to Apply
You can apply to study data science in the USA by filling out an online application. Therefore, you need to visit the university’s website and fill out the online application. Additionally, you should make sure that you submit all the documents while filling out the online application.
Duration
The duration of studying data science in the USA depends on the degree you are applying to. The undergraduate degree takes about three to four years. Additionally, the postgraduate degree takes about one to two years.
Tuition Fee
Generally, the tuition fee for studying data science in the USA ranges between 18,000 – 50,000 USD per year. However, this may vary based on the degree and the university that you choose to study in. Additionally, international students pay higher than home students.
Universities in the USA that offer Data Science
- Stanford University, California
- Harvard University, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
- University of California – Berkeley, California
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania
- University of California-San Diego, California
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Wisconsin
- Cornell University, New York State
- University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, Illinois
- Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minnesota
- Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania
- University of Maryland – College Park, Maryland
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia
- Columbia University, New York State
- University of California – Los Angeles, California
- Yale University, Connecticut
- University of Southern California, California
- New York University, New York State
- Arizona State University – Tempe, Arizona
- University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
- University of Texas at Austin, Texas
- Northwestern University, Illinois
- Iowa State University, Iowa State
- University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Jersey
- University of California – Santa Barbara, California
- Ohio State University, Ohio
- University of Arizona, Arizona
- Boston University, Massachusetts
- Princeton University, New Jersey
- University of California – Davis, California
- Duke University, North Carolina
- University of Utah, Utah
- University of Florida, Florida
In Conclusion, you need to prepare ahead before you make your application to study data science. Furthermore, you need to make your applications early enough before the deadline. Therefore, you need to be qualified to enable you to have a chance of getting admitted. Feel free to reach out for further inquiries or assistance.
Good luck!