What universities should I target for MS Data Science with my current profile?

by SamirTibbi

I have a GRE score of 318 (V:148, Q:170) and limited professional experience which makes my CV weak. What universities in the US or Canada would be suitable for an MS in Data Science?

1 replies

Hadiya_Nabi

Hi Samir,

A GRE 318 (especially with a 170 in Quant) is solid for MS in Data Science, but yeah, limited experience can make applications a bit tricky. Don’t stress too much—plenty of universities value strong quant skills and academic potential over work experience.

For the US, you can aim for:

Arizona State University – good for career outcomes, not super competitive.

Northeastern University – industry-focused, co-op programs help with job prospects.

University of Cincinnati – solid data science program, easier to get in.

UT Dallas – great for analytics & data science, affordable.

Michigan Tech – underrated but strong in AI & data science.

For Canada:

Simon Fraser University (SFU) – decent program, good industry ties.

University of Victoria – easier admission, solid research opportunities.

York University – newish but good for AI/data science.

Ryerson University (now TMU) – applied focus, industry-linked.

Your quant skills stand out, so highlight projects, coursework, or any Kaggle/online certifications to make up for experience gaps. Play up research work, if any. You got this!