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Application Admission Requirements

Background requirements

There are two main criteria for evaluating applications to the program, the first is by far the most important:

• A solid background in Mathematics comparable to a bachelor of science degree in mathematics or another field of physical sciences is essential. You should have solid knowledge of multivariable calculus, linear algebra and differential equations. If you do not have this knowledge you might look into our Financial Mathematics Preparation Course or courses with similar contents at a local university. Computer programming ability, especially in Matlab and C++, is also useful and is essential in working afterwards. If you don't have programming experience we recommend that you take the optional course in C++ programming. Some exposure to probability and statistics is also useful. The biggest reason people are not admitted is inadequate mathematical preparation, it is not possible to "figure it out as you go along."

• We also look at prior industrial experience. A bit of experience has the effect of making you confident that this is the career you really want. This requirement is more flexible than the need for mathematical competence.

Application requirements

There are several application requirements. The application form itself provides more details about each of the requirements.

• Both the GRE General Test and the GRE Math Subject Tests are required.  However, if you received your bachelor's degree prior to June of 2005, you are exempt from any GRE requirements.
  
  Please consult the GRE website for testing dates, and select dates which will provide results in time for application review.  Link to ETS website for GRE testing information.
  
  We do not require (and are not interested in) other exam scores, such as GMAT..

   

• TOEFL. Most foreign applicants must take the TOEFL. The exceptions are students from certain English-speaking countries such as Canada and UK. Please visit the Office of International Affairs website for criteria: https://internationalaffairs.uchicago.edu/students/prospective/toefl.shtml

• Three letters of recommendation. We recommend that even students who have been out of school for a while get at least one recommendation from a professor (preferably a math professor) who can attest to their mathematical abilities.

• Our institution and department codes for the TOEFL and GRE exams are:

  	Institution Code	Department Code
  TOEFL Exam	1832	72
  GRE Exam	1832	0799