A GPA of 3.0 or higher
The School of Computer Science requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher for all applications. Applications that do not meet all the listed requirements by the deadline will not be reviewed.
Master's · Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon MCDS: a 3.0 GPA, the GRE and two deadlines
Carnegie Mellon's Master of Computational Data Science is run by the Language Technologies Institute in the School of Computer Science and focuses on engineering and deploying large-scale information systems. For the Fall 2027 admissions cycle the page lists an early deadline of 18 November 2026 and a final deadline of 9 December 2026, asks for a GPA of 3.0 or higher, GRE scores and three letters, and warns that incomplete applications will not be considered.
2027-28 entry · Official information
What Carnegie Mellon asks for in Carnegie Mellon Master of Computational Data Science
Taken from the Carnegie Mellon Language Technologies Institute page for the Master of Computational Data Science and read on 3 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry; confirm every date and rule on the page before you rely on it.
GRE scores, less than five years old
GRE scores are required and must be less than five years old, a requirement the page waives for CMU undergraduates.
English proficiency for visa applicants
Applicants who will study on an F-1 or J-1 visa and are not native English speakers demonstrate proficiency by TOEFL (preferred), IELTS or Duolingo, with scores taken within the last two years. The programme does not issue waivers.
Statement, résumé, transcripts and three letters
The application requires a statement of purpose, a current résumé, unofficial transcripts from every university attended and three letters of recommendation. A short video is strongly suggested but not required.
Early deadline 18 November 2026
For the Fall 2027 cycle, the application window opens on 9 September 2026, the early deadline is 18 November 2026 and the final deadline is 9 December 2026, both at 3:00 PM EST.
Three majors, 144 units
The programme offers Systems, Analytics and Human-Centered Data Science majors, with a minimum of 144 units, a summer internship and a capstone project.
Official sources
Read on 3 November 2026 on the Carnegie Mellon Language Technologies Institute page for the Master of Computational Data Science, which describes 2027-28 entry. The School of Computer Science graduate-admissions page, the frequently-asked-questions page, the course map and the concentration curricula were not read and are not stated.
Fit
What the page sets and what it leaves open
The page states a GPA floor and test requirements but gives no required courses. The readings below mix Carnegie Mellon's wording with Avandy's judgment, and the labels say which is which.
The GPA floor
A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required of all School of Computer Science applications.
Preparation
The page names no prerequisite courses. It says the major you choose after the first semester depends on the preparation and experience described in your statement of purpose.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
Because the page lists no prerequisites, the programme's core courses are the best guide to expected preparation. They include machine learning, cloud computing and interactive data science, so evidence of programming and mathematics matters in the statement.
Decision
Choosing a major and a timing
The page describes three majors and two timings.
Majors
Systems, Analytics and Human-Centered Data Science, which share the same total credits but differ in required courses.
Timing
Standard timing is 16 months with a summer internship and a December graduation; extended timing is 20 months and graduates in May.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
Decide the major from the roles you want. The page says graduates become software engineers, data scientists and project managers, so choose the concentration closest to the one you want.
Application
Tests, documents and the two deadlines
The page lists a centralised online application with an early and a final deadline.
Tests
GRE scores, valid for five years, and an English proficiency test for visa applicants who are not native speakers.
Documents
A statement of purpose, a résumé, unofficial transcripts and three letters, with an optional short video.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
The page says incomplete applications will not be considered, so the early deadline is mainly a way to find missing items while time remains.
Planning
Planning for the Fall 2027 cycle
The page describes the Fall 2027 admissions cycle, and the dates above belong to it.
What to do now
Check your GPA and GRE position, brief three recommenders, draft the statement of purpose and decide whether to submit the video. Re-read the page before submitting, because Carnegie Mellon can change it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and the written application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University or any of its departments. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the published requirements of each course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Is the GRE required for the Carnegie Mellon MCDS?
The page lists GRE scores as a requirement, valid for less than five years, and waives it for CMU undergraduates.
What GPA is needed?
The School of Computer Science requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher for all applications.
What are the deadlines?
For the Fall 2027 admissions cycle, the early deadline is 18 November 2026 and the final deadline is 9 December 2026, both at 3:00 PM EST.
How many letters of recommendation are needed?
Three letters of recommendation.
How long is the degree?
Standard timing is 16 months; extended timing is 20 months. Both require a minimum of 144 units.
Students and families
Talk to us about the Carnegie Mellon Master of Computational Data Science
Tell us about your degree, your grades, your relevant experience and the master's courses you are weighing. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare the application.