The 10-month journey has begun for 115 students in the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2016. The ninth MSA cohort is the result of the most selective admissions process since the Institute’s inception in 2007. “It’s our largest and, by every measure, most-talented group of students to date,” said the Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa. “Enrolling over 100 students is a significant milestone. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to partner with them and look forward to working together.” The admissions committee reviewed 1,061 applications, up 33-percent from last year, and four-times the number from just 36 months ago.
After interviewing 330 applicants, a total of 131 candidates were offered admission to enroll 115 students. The admissions process yielded an acceptance rate of 12.3-percent, the lowest on record for the Institute. Incoming students represent 18 countries of origin and hail from 26 states coast-to-coast. Eighty-five percent of the Class of 2016 are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Forty-one percent have three or more years of prior work experience, and 16-percent hold advanced degrees.