The School of Data Science is changing how first-year students can gain admission for the 2026-27 academic year. Assured Enrollment allows first-year students interested in data science to secure a spot in the Bachelor of Science in Data Science program without having to participate in the traditional admissions that previous classes completed.
First-year students who complete any 24 credits by the end of their first year — including two prerequisite courses — and fill out an interest form will have a spot reserved in the major without having to commit to entering it. According to Degi Betcher, director of admissions and recruiting for the School of Data Science, students who complete the interest form will be notified when the intent to enroll form — a separate, secondary form — becomes available, which is planned for sometime this month. The interest form is open to all first-year students now, and the intent to enroll form is set to have a deadline of Nov. 1.
Last year, the School of Data Science had roughly 100-125 students per class in the major, which is a three-year program. Students in classes prior to this year had to apply through the traditional application process, which requires students to take or be in progress of completing prerequisite courses by the end of their first year. Students completed an application in the spring semester and received a decision mid-June. While the traditional application method is still available to first-year students, prospective students may now apply through the Assured Enrollment program instead.
Assured Enrollment offers students priority course registration for classes fall of their second year and tailored academic counseling for the BSDS degree. According to Betcher, the program aims to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with the traditional application process first-year students face.
“Our goal is to give students a clear, assured path to the data science major, reducing the stress and uncertainty often associated with competitive major admissions,” Betcher wrote in a statement to The Cavalier Daily.
The School of Data Science is the first school within the University to have a program like the Assured Enrollment program, according to Betcher. She said because it was the first program of its kind, the School was tasked with building it from scratch.
According to Betcher, while the new program reflects a shift in the School's admissions process, it also fits into bigger plans to rethink how students discover and enter the data science major. The School aims to be accessible to students, and it asserts itself as a “School Without Walls,” according to its website, recognizing the highly interdisciplinary nature of data science.
“By reducing barriers and creating cleaner pathways into the major, we can help more students to become successful data scientists and responsible leaders in their careers,” Betcher wrote.
The program is meant to help first-year students explore classes outside their major during their first year and focus less on receiving competitive grades to strengthen applications, according to an interview with Jeffrey Blume, interim Stephenson dean of the School of Data Science.
“We want people to be learners, to be able to focus on learning the material and seeing if they like it,” Blume said. “By removing a little bit of the stakes, we're hoping that more people will take some risks and learn about AI [and] data.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by third-year Data Science student Katie Lempner in a statement to The Cavalier Daily. She said the program could decrease the intimidation of applying into the school.
“The new assured admission program offers a great opportunity for students who feel confident in their decision to pursue data science, without the intimidation of applying into the school,” Lempner wrote. “I believe students will feel encouraged to explore data science classes, and in return, we will see higher numbers of students who choose to opt into the major.”
Lempner also sees the new program as an opportunity for growth for the School of Data Science. By providing students with the ability to explore the major without the pressure of completing a successful application, Lempner believes this will increase the number of students who pursue the major.
Blume said another important aspect of the program is its ability to connect first-year students with Data Science advisors for guidance on choosing classes and building connections with people in the School. Advisors can provide tailored help to students, making the transition between schools as seamless as possible, according to Blume.
Both Blume and Betcher said they see the pilot program as a learning opportunity for the School of Data Science. They said the upcoming academic year will serve as a chance to evaluate the program and determine how it can be refined in the future, with Betcher specifically citing “student engagement and experience overall” as factors to consider for potential future changes.
Reflecting on the current nature of data in the age of AI, Blume emphasized how the Assured Enrollment program reflects data’s interdisciplinary nature as it becomes increasingly relevant in many sectors.
“We want students to take risks on us to see if they like data science and AI,” Blume said. “We want them to be able to do that without feeling like they're closing off other opportunities, if the material doesn't click with them.”
The Assured Enrollment program will be available to first-year students in the 2026-27 academic year. Students who want to learn more about joining the School of Data Science can visit the website or their building located at 1919 Ivy Rd.
Ruby Budetti is a staff writer on the news desk. She also works as a staffer for The Cavalier Daily social media team. She is a second-year student on the pre-Batten track and hopes to major in Public Policy and Leadership.
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