2 Pathways to Apply to Data Science

Comprehensive Review

  • First-year students admitted to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023 or later who did not select Data Science on their admissions application
  • All students admitted to UC Berkeley Fall 2024 or later who were not admitted directly into the major

See details below about applying through Comprehensive Review.

Prerequisite Pathway

  • All students admitted to UC Berkeley prior to Fall 2023
  • First-year students admitted to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023 with Data Science as your intended major on your admission application (currently listed as "HD Data Science" in CalCentral)
  • Transfer students admitted to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 who have not completed 2 semesters or more at UC Berkeley

See the Prerequisite Pathway page for details.

Comprehensive Review Workshops

The Data Science Peer Advisors will be hosting two workshops where we’ll walk through what the application has looked like in previous years and share helpful guidance for getting started. (Just a heads up — the process may change a bit this cycle, but the overview will still be really useful!) This is also a great space to ask questions and connect with others going through the same process. Here are the session details:

Wednesday, November 12 from 6:00–7:00 PM in Wheeler Hall, Room 104

Monday, November 17 from 6:30–7:30 PM in VLSB, Room 2050

RSVP Link: https://bit.ly/DataCRWorkshop

What is Comprehensive Review?

The comprehensive review process for applying to the Data Science major evaluates both academic and non-academic achievements, as well as a student’s potential contributions to the program.

This process is designed to create opportunities for students who were not initially admitted to UC Berkeley as Data Science majors. By considering factors beyond grades, it allows students without prior data science experience to present a compelling case for admission and showcase their unique qualifications and aspirations.

Need Advising?

Data Science advisors are available to help! Email us at ds-advising@berkeley.edu, or find out about our other advising services.

Required Coursework for Comprehensive Review

Students applying for the Data Science major through comprehensive review are expected to be making progress toward the major relative to their year in school.

For Students Admitted to UC Berkeley as a First-Year Admit: 

Year
Courses Completed with Final Grades (C- or better) Posted at the time of application
Courses Expected to have completed OR in progress in Spring

1st year

(Sp26 = 1-2 Terms in Attendance*)
  1.  Data C8 or Stat 20, and
  2.  one additional course from Calculus 1, Calculus 2 or Intro Programming
 One additional course toward lower-division major requirements (3 total)

2nd Year

(Sp26 = 3-4 Terms in Attendance*)
  1.  Data C8 or Stat 20, and
  2.  one additional course from Calculus 1, Calculus 2 or Intro Programming
 Three additional course toward lower-division major requirements (5 total)

3rd Year

(Sp26 = 5-6 Terms in Attendance*)
  1.  Data C8 or Stat 20*, and
  2.  one additional course from Calculus 1, Calculus 2 or Intro Programming
 All remaining courses toward lower-division major requirements (7 total)

4th Year

(Sp26 = 7-8 Terms in Attendance*)

Students admitted as first-year admits who have completed 6 or more terms at UC Berkeley (i.e. Spring 2026 is your 7th or 8th term in attendance), not including summers, are not eligible to apply to the Data Science major.

Exception: students who regularly take an approved reduced course load should consult with the College of CDSS and Data Science. 

  

For Students Admitted to UC Berkeley as a Transfer: 

Year
Courses Completed with Final Grades (C- or better) Posted at the time of application
Courses Expected to have completed OR in progress in Spring 2026

New Transfer

(Sp26 = 5-6 Terms in Attendance on CalCentral* / 1st or 2nd semester at UC Berkeley)
  1.  Data C8 or Stat 20*, and
  2.  one additional course from Calculus 1, Calculus 2 or Intro Programming

*For transfer admits in their first year at UC Berkeley ONLY, we will accept Data C8 or Stat 20 in progress in Spring at the time of application 

All remaining courses toward lower-division major requirements, with a maximum of 1 planned in Summer* (7 total)

*If you plan to complete a lower-division requirement in Summer, you must list it on your program plan in your application and you must officially enroll in it once summer enrollment begins in February. 

Continuing Transfer

(Sp26 = 7 Terms in Attendance on CalCentral* / 3rd semester at UC Berkeley)
  1.  Data C8 or Stat 20, and
  2.  one additional course from Calculus 1, Calculus 2 or Intro Programming
 All remaining courses toward lower-division major requirements (7 total)

8 Terms in Attendance on CalCentral* / 4 or more semesters at UC Berkeley

Students admitted as junior transfers who have completed 3 or more semesters at UC Berkeley (i.e. Spring 2026 is your 4th semester at UC Berkeley), not including summers, are not eligible to apply to the Data Science major.

Exception: students who regularly take an approved reduced course load should consult with the College of CDSS and Data Science. 

  

*Terms in Attendance are defined by the Office of the Registrar and posted on your CalCentral account. Summer does not count. Terms in which you withdraw or cancel your enrollment do not count. Terms completed through UC EAP do count.

  • All courses toward the major must be completed with a letter grade of C- or better
  • A course completed with a grade below C- may be repeated one time for credit.
  • If admitted to the Data Science major, all students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA overall in the major and in the upper-division courses in the major.

Review additional FAQs about the comprehensive review process (Updated April 2025)

When and how can I apply for Comprehensive Review?

The CDSS Comprehensive Review application is currently closed.

The next application period will begin in January 2026. The application will be open once per year in January.

For more information about submitting an application, see the Comprehensive Review section of the CDSS College Policies page. View a PDF version of the 2025 application; there may be changes in future years.