Statistics and Data Science (SDS) offers qualified Cornell undergraduates the opportunity to begin work on a Master of Professional Studies in Data Science and Applied Statistics while in their final semester of undergraduate studies. The Early Admit option allows eligible students to take graduate-level courses toward an MPS degree while still enrolled as an undergraduate student, thus attaining a graduate degree faster and less costly.
Typically, those accepted into the MPS program via the Early Admit option need just an additional semester beyond their undergraduate studies to earn a master’s degree in Applied Statistics and enter the job market with critical industry-ready skills and experience.
Students accepted into the Early Admit option are undergraduates during the first semester of the Early Admit option and are eligible for undergraduate financial aid during that first semester. Only during the second semester are the Early Admit students considered graduate students and no longer eligible for undergraduate financial aid.
Interested in Applying?
After reading the information below, if you have more questions, please contact the Graduate Field Coordinator, Allen Ward, by email at allenward@cornell.edu, call 1-607-255-8066, or book an appointment through Bookings.
Summary
- Each degree (B.S./B.A. and MPS) has a separate admissions process.
- No courses may count toward both degrees.
- Admission to MPS is contingent on the student successfully completing their B.S. or B.A. degree.
- "Shortened time to degree" is only due to the acceleration of undergraduate students through their undergraduate curriculum. Many arrive to SDS in with substantial AP credits.
Eligibility
You're eligible for the Early Admit option if you:
- are enrolled in your last semester as a Cornell undergraduate
- have 1–8 credits left to complete your undergraduate degree
- have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2
- you meet the MPS program's admission requirements
How to apply?
- Fill out the SDS MPS Early Admit Petition form online, which will be sent to your undergraduate academic advisor for review.
- After the application has been reviewed and signed by the academic advisor, the form will be routed to our MPS program for review.
- If the petition is approved by the MPS director, you will receive a letter from the Graduate Program Coordinator. At a later time, you will need to complete the Cornell Graduate School Online Application for admission to the MPS program and upload the completed and approved SDS MPS Early Admit Petition as an attachment to your application.
Your admission to our MPS program is contingent upon the successful completion of your undergraduate degree.
If you receive financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your plans and to learn about the rules regarding minimum undergraduate credits necessary to avoid triggering repayment of your loan.
Timelines and Deadlines
Cornell Undergraduates wishing to apply to the MPS program as an Early Admit candidate should follow the timeline outlined below in order to become eligible to apply for the program:
Graduating in December with your undergraduate degree?
- Petition deadline: May 1.
- If the petition is approved, you will be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses for the Fall term that will count toward your MPS degree. During the fall term, you will be required to submit a Graduate Admissions application. Please see application deadlines on our admissions page.
Graduating in May or August with your undergraduate degree?
- Petition deadline: November 1.
- If the petition is approved, you will be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses for the spring term that will count toward your MPS degree. You will be required to submit a Graduate Admissions application. Please see application deadlines on our admissions page.
Planning for Early Admit
Early admit students will typically complete the MPS degree with one semester of additional study after their final undergraduate semester. Because most of the required courses for the MPS degree are taught only once per year, students planning on participating in the Early Admit program must plan carefully. Early Admit students will indicate which courses will meet requirements for their undergraduate degree and which will count toward the MPS. Each student's plan is confirmed by the undergraduate and graduate coordinators in order to be sure the requirements for each program are being met.
Last updated February 25, 2025