As you are aware, whenever you are active on the internet – whether posting on social media, buying something online, or completing a healthcare profile – your information is being collected into big datasets. The field of data science has expanded such that it has affected healthcare, government, agriculture, risk and security, airline route planning, gaming, business, and so much more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 20% job growth in computer and information research science until 2034, with the 2024 median salary at $140,910. And the typical entry-level job requires a master’s degree, while some jobs demand additional certifications or a PhD. Most of my clients have been admitted to full-time graduate programs, but some have opted for part-time and/or online programs so they can continue to work full time while completing their studies.

I recently wrote to a few former clients who were admitted to their target schools and asked them to respond to some questions, which resulted in some advice for future data science applicants. Here, I list the questions I posed, followed by a compilation of their responses.

1. If you were starting the process now to apply to graduate school, what would you think about or do prior to beginning the application?

• Spend time thinking about what you really want to gain from the graduate school program, as well as what the goals of the particular program are. If you are interested in a research program and a school mentions that 90% of its students enter technology or consulting firms, look elsewhere.
• Make sure your resume or CV highlights relevant work experience and how you added value to the organization – the results of your work.

2. What would you do differently if you were applying now, knowing what you learned from going through the process?

• Attend any school webinars that provide information on the program and what the school seeks in its applicants.
• Early in the process, reach out to individuals you will be requesting references from to find out whether they would be willing to write a letter on your behalf. Then, stay in touch with them and provide detailed information about your accomplishments, reminders of what work you completed under their guidance, and both your target program’s goals and your career goals.
• Do more in-depth research about the programs so you can highlight why you would stand out and be a good fit for each one.
• Hire a consultant to support you with the process. It is extremely valuable to have someone objectively review your strengths and goals, as they can help you improve your statement of purpose.

3. How much time do you recommend an applicant reserve for the application process?

• Start your research as soon as you begin thinking about attending graduate school. You can note ideas for your statement of purpose (SOP) during the months before you actually write it. Ideally, start six months ahead of the deadline but a minimum of two or three months ahead.

4. Which part of the application took you the longest to complete?

• Writing the personal statement tends to demand the most time. You might go through many drafts, especially if you don’t adequately research each program you are applying to before writing your statement of purpose. 

5. What advice do you have concerning letters of recommendation?

• Your recommenders are usually very busy individuals – either full-time professors or work supervisors. Make sure you give them sufficient time to craft a letter that provides details about your skills and accomplishments as well as how you stand out from your peers.
• Although you might want to use a particular professor as a reference, it is important that they know you well and are familiar with the quality of your work.

6. How do you recommend approaching the statement of purpose?

• Pay attention to the specific question the school is asking. These questions can differ in asking about your career accomplishments, research, or personal motivation for selecting a particular field or program. While the main body of your SOP might be used for multiple essays, you will want to write several paragraphs describing how the program and the school you’re applying to align with your interests, academic and career goals, and personal preferences.
• If you aren’t sufficiently familiar with the program, your SOP will come across as generic. Also, don’t be afraid to mention poor academics – as long as you can provide an explanation for the lapse and how you ultimately succeeded.
• Reach out to students or recent alumni to learn about their experiences and gain information you can’t find on the program’s website. This will help you write a stronger SOP.

7. How has artificial intelligence (AI) affected your current work, and do you believe it could replace the need for humans in data science?

• ChatGPT has spurred many conversations among work colleagues. It also can make work more efficient, providing outlines and translating code from one language to another.
• Data science is a multistep process. There are some methods that could be replaceable, as they have been changed by the use of AI, but data scientists provide the judgments and insights to interpret computational results – just as digital spreadsheets automated traditional accounting practices in the field of accounting. However, accounting professionals interpret trends and make predictions based on many economic, political, and risk factors.
• Humans have to make the hard decisions based on data presentations.
• At least as of now, communicating and presenting data to stakeholders is more effectively done by humans.
• Currently, AI cannot make true advancements or discoveries without human insight.

Data science is everywhere you look today. It is an exciting field that can be applied in every academic discipline and work setting. I hope you find some of the information in this post helpful as you search for the right program for you.

With 30 years of career/admissions experience at four universities, including Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and College of Engineering, Dr. Karin Ash has met with thousands of recruiters seeking to hire the best graduate students from leading schools. She has served as an admissions committee member, ensuring that the applicants who ultimately enroll are a good fit for the program and prime candidates for employers. Karin has been a consultant with Accepted for almost a decade and has facilitated applicants’ entry into top engineering, data science, MBA, and other STEM graduate MEng, MS, and PhD programs. Her clients have been accepted to top graduate programs at MIT, the University of Chicago, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, UPenn, USC, and more than 60 other schools. Want Karin to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Five Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Grad School Statement of Purpose
• Admissions Straight Talk podcast for grad school applicants
• Deciding Who Should Write Your Letters of Recommendation – Master’s