Applying for Admission

The PhD application is closed until fall of 2013.

Graduate students in statistics have widely varying backgrounds. Their major fields of study as undergraduates might have been mathematics, engineering, the sciences, economics, psychology, or administration and management. Previous completion of introductory courses in probability and statistics and knowledge of calculus are essential. Most students are admitted to the Master's program, regardless of whether they wish to pursue studies toward a Ph.D. Successful Master's students who do want to go on continue into the Ph.D. program after obtaining a Master's degree.

Applicants must provide complete undergraduate and graduate transcripts as well as three letters of recommendation. Applicants must also take the GRE Aptitude Test. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language and the Test of Spoken English. The latter cab be substituted with the TOEFL iBT.

Please see the detailed instructions below, under "How to Apply."

Financial Aid Information

The Department of Statistics attempts to provide financial aid for as many of its students as possible, including both Master's and Ph.D. candidates. Financial aid awards include assistance with tuition and opportunities for graduate assistantships. Qualified students are eligible for tuition scholarships, which pay all graduate tuition. These tuition scholarships are usually granted in conjunction with graduate assistantships. In addition, many students receive teaching or research assistantships that provide stipends. Students who receive both full tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships are expected to maintain a full course load and to devote effort primarily to their studies and assigned duties. These duties require not more than ten hours per week. During the 2012-2013 academic year, teaching and research assistants will receive $2,200/month for the nine-month academic year in addition to full payment of graduate tuition, currently $34,800 per year. Aside from students receiving full tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships, some students receive partial tuition assistance and a partial graduate assistantship.

Since teaching duties form an integral part of a student's financial aid package, foreign students must complete the University's programs in English as a Second Language (ESL). Financial support after the first semester is contingent upon committed participation and ultimate certification by the ESL.

The Department does not guarantee its students financial support for the summer, but it has been successful in identifying summer employment opportunities. Qualified students work as research assistants for the summer, or have the opportunity to teach summer school courses offered by the Department. Teaching assistant positions for these courses are often available as well. In the past, the Department has been able to accommodate virtually all students who requested financial support for the summer.

Joint Ph.D. Programs

Students applying for the joint Ph.D. Program in Statistics and Public Policy, or the joint program with the Machine Learning Department, should indicate their interest on the application forms.

Admissions are highly competitive. It is to your advantage to submit relevant admissions materials to the Department of Statistics as soon as possible. If you are planning to begin study in the Fall, you MUST send in your admission application and all supporting materials to us by December 15.