Admissions
UChicago MPCS Application Requirements
All prospective students must submit an official UChicago MPCS application through the Physical Sciences Division’s online system, along with a $90 nonrefundable fee or a waiver. Check application deadlines to give yourself enough time to collect the needed materials. In addition to your completed application, you’ll need to gather the following elements.
Academic Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts are required from each college or university in which you have been enrolled. Your transcripts must include proof that you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You should also include transcripts from institutions where you did not earn a degree, with the exception of study abroad programs. Official transcripts will be requested once an offer of admission is made.
Educational and Professional Background
To ensure that all students are prepared to take on our rigorous MPCS curriculum, our team evaluates each prospective student’s full academic, extracurricular, and professional background during the UChicago MPCS application process. We ask applicants to submit clear, well-written answers to several essay questions regarding their experience with programming languages and advanced mathematics, as well as any internships or work experience in technology or research. The UChicago admissions staff is interested in not only what you have accomplished but also in what your experiences have taught you about technology and its impact on the world around you. Additionally, you should submit a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae (CV). This should reflect the most up to date and comprehensive review of your educational and professional background, as well as any awards or achievements you’ve earned.
Letters of Recommendation
All prospective students must submit two letters of recommendation on official letterhead from professional or academic contacts. If possible, these letters should highlight your technical or mathematical expertise and experience.
In these letters, the admissions team will look for evidence of intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking, and a readiness to take on rigorous coursework with passion and purpose.
Standardized Test Scores
The UChicago MPCS application does not require GMAT or GRE for Masters in Computer Science applicants. However, submitting them can greatly benefit you, especially if you have little or no relevant CS coursework or professional experience. There are no minimum score requirements when it comes to the GRE for Masters in Computer Science applications. However, the most successful students typically score in the 50th percentile and above on the verbal section of the GRE and in the 80th percentile and above on the quantitative section of the GRE for Masters in Computer Science. If you do not meet the criteria for an English language waiver, you will also be required to submit proof of English language proficiency in the form of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam scores.
The UChicago MPCS Application Review Process
The admissions committee begins its review of each prospective student’s application only after all required documents have been submitted. Letters of recommendation and test scores must come directly to the school. Once we receive all of your UChicago MPCS application materials, they will be reviewed holistically. No single factor or score will determine whether you will be admitted. Instead, we take into account a comprehensive view of who you are as a student and a professional to determine whether your application reflects a readiness to thrive in our academic and community environment. Decisions for prospective full-time students applying in Rounds 1 and 2 will be released on the dates specified on the application deadlines page. Decisions for Round 3 applicants and prospective part-time students will be released on a rolling basis after the application deadline. All decisions made by the admissions committee are final and cannot be appealed. To strengthen your chance of success, you should ensure that your application reflects your best work upon submission.
“My advice…. make the time because you will get what you give.”
FAQs:
What Does the Admissions Committee Look for in a UChicago MPCS Application?
As a top-tier institution, our admissions team looks for prospective students who have shown a deep passion for technology and its potential to better the world, a sense of intellectual curiosity, and quantitative skills that would allow them to do well in our academic environment. Each element of your application should reflect these qualities and values.
Am I Required to Have a Background in Computer Science?
Our program is unique in that we accept students who do not have work experience in the industry or whose bachelor’s degrees are in unrelated fields. Still, due to the rigorous nature of the program’s curriculum, your test scores and educational background should provide the committee with some evidence that you have the quantitative skills needed to succeed in your coursework.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an MPCS Degree?
How long it takes to complete your degree will depend on which program you enroll in. Our 9-course program can be completed in as little as nine months, while our 12-course program may take between 15 to 24 months.
How Do I Know if My GRE/GMAT Test Scores Are Still Valid?
If you took the GRE or GMAT more than five years ago, you must take the test again, as your scores are now considered expired.
Do Prospective Students Need a Statement of Purpose for Masters in Computer Science Applications?
Prospective students submitting a UChicago MPCS application do not need a formal statement of purpose for masters in computer science. However, your required essay prompts do include questions about your immediate and long-term career goals.