Admissions Requirements
Candidates to this doctoral program require:
Minimum: A four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent; no specific major or work experience. Coursework or equivalent experience in calculus, probability, and linear algebra is required and must be completed before applying
- Preferred: M.S./M.A. degree in statistics or computer science (or related technical discipline, e.g., mathematics, data science), or in a social science (or related field, e.g., public policy, education). Relevant work experience (particularly in government or nonprofit sectors), relevant research experience, and publications.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
1. Prepare Your Application Materials
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose is a single-spaced, typed one- to two- page statement introducing yourself to the admissions committee. Please describe your academic background and relevant work experience, research interests, and career goals. Your statement should specifically address how your research interests combine ideas from the three core disciplines in this program—statistics, computational science, and a social science or adjacent discipline—in your dissertation research. Your statement should also mention at least two program faculty members that you may be interested in working with and why you chose them.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit three letters of recommendation. It is recommended that two of the letters be written by faculty at institutions of higher education. All letters should specifically speak to a candidate's research potential. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions.
Writing Sample
As part of your application, you are required to submit an academic writing sample in English - a course paper or its equivalent - that demonstrates your writing and analytic abilities and is solo-authored by you. The sample should be no more than 20 pages and the topic need not be restricted to statistics, computer sciences or social science. If the writing sample does not include your name as the author, please include a note in the Additional Information section explaining the circumstances of your writing sample and attesting that it is your own work.
Description of Relevant Coursework
Required: Please include a document listing your formal coursework in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, along with a short description of the topics covered in each course (e.g., from a course catalog).
Optional: Applicants may submit up to two published or unpublished research papers (e.g., undergraduate or masters theses, or coauthored manuscripts) which may be reviewed along with other application components.
Transcripts
List and upload a copy of an official transcript from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree. Make sure to request an official transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.
- Transfer Credits: We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.
Institutions Outside the US or Canada
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES, ECE or TEC/SpanTran international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
GRE
Not required.
Although the GRE is typically required for this program, for the 2026 admissions cycle GRE scores will not be required. For more information see testing requirements.
Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.
Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.
Sending Materials
Most application materials can be successfully submitted via the online application.
If you plan to send application materials, transcript(s) or international credentials evaluation(s) to NYU Steinhardt Office of Graduate Admissions, please review these instructions. Materials sent to other divisions of NYU may not be obtainable by our office and will significantly delay processing.
Application Policies
Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late March or early April for fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
PhD Funding
PhD Funding
- Learn more about PhD funding packages