Comments from Current Students and Alumni

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at CMU Statistics. The faculty are incredibly knowledgeable about each of their individual fields. In addition, the faculty are truly interested in teaching and in getting to know their students as people. I found wonderful mentors and teachers as well as colleagues and friends at CMU. I am quite proud to say that I graduated from one of the finest statistics Ph.D. programs in the country.
-- Lynne Steurle Schofield (2008)

I am currently Team Leader, Statistical Applications Team in FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD. I am also a senior adjunct instructor at Howard Community College, Columbia, MD, where I teach a section of statistics. The MS program in statistics at CMU prepared me well for both responsibilities. Quality teaching is a high priority for the full-time faculty and all, without exception, did it well. I especially valued the "smallness" and the collegiality of the department, which allowed us students to continuously interact with our mentors. We all worked hard, and I for one am reaping the benefits of my work in the program to this day.
-- Mike O'Donnell, M.S. (1974); written in 2009

The Department of Statistics at Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest of its kind. The faculty are some of the best in the field of statistics. Our graduate curriculum is comprehensive and rigorous. The PhD program prepares you well for careers in both academia and industry. The graduate program is flexible and allows students to tailor their studies to best suit their research agendas. Our department provides a very supportive environment. I gained priceless knowledge from this department and I am very proud that I pursued graduate studies in Statistics at Carnegie Mellon University.
-- Ricky Rambharat, Ph.D. (2005)

The Department of Statistics at CMU was a wonderful experience for me. Not only did it provide me with valuable training in the theory and application of statistics, but it also created the scope for active inter-disciplinary research which helped shape up my dissertation. The department also offers a very friendly environment for thriving and the professors and staff are always eager to help you in all respects. I will always cherish my 4 years at CMU as a graduate student.
-- Sinjini Mitra, Ph.D. (2005)

The Statistics department at CMU is arguably the best place to study statistics under the supervision of some of the greatest statisticians in the world. The faculty and staff are extraordinarily friendly and supportive. There is an amazing respect for graduate students. Faculty have an "open door" policy, which means at any given time you can talk to them. The program is a mixture of theory and application. Along with the theoretical training in probability and statistics, you get to work on a data-analytical research in the context of a course called Advanced Data Analysis (ADA). Eventually, you present your work to the whole department and you receive constructive feedback. This is really important partly because a considerable number of students define their theses based on their ADA research. Each semester, the department invites some of the world-known statisticians to give presentations. This is a great opportunity for graduate students to become familiar with the cutting-edge research in the whole spectrum of statistical sciences. Finally, students genuinely support each other, which leaves no room for stressful competitions. Everyone's work is appreciated and respected.
-- Sam Behseta, Ph.D. (2003)

The rapport between students and faculty at CMU Statistics is exceptional. The faculty treat the students as peers, and moreover, as individuals. Also unique is the department's blend of applied and theoretical statistics: You are given a solid foundation in probability and statistics in addition to applied training; the culmination of this is an "Advanced Data Analysis" project in which you participate in substantive collaborations with an investigator. This is an invaluable experience for any future job.
-- Tom Nichols, Ph.D. (2001)

CMU Statistics is a very supportive environment. People in the department are friendly, and it is easy for students to get a lot of help to pursue what they are interested in. It's an excellent place for graduate study.
-- Tzee-Ming Huang, Ph.D. (2001)

The Statistics Department at CMU provides terrific flexibility in allowing you to tailor your studies and research to match your interests and gives you the opportunity to interact with top-flight scholars throughout the university. I was able to complete a joint doctorate in statistics and public policy, a perfect match for my interests in applied statistics, criminal justice, and other policy issues.
-- Daniel Cork, Ph.D. (2000)

I will always appreciate the accessibility of the faculty and their willingness to answer questions. Their concern for the students is genuine, and they help to foster an atmosphere of collaboration that reflects the practice of statistics in a variety of settings.
-- Alix Gitelman, Ph.D. (2000)

It's hard to say enough about this program. Not only will you learn classical methods and the latest advances, but you'll feel like you're very much a part of the greater statistical community. Working among the faculty -- many of the best statisticians in the world today -- and meeting many of the renowned guest speakers, is one of the primary ways I think my education differs from some of my colleagues who went to other schools.
-- Jason Connor, M.S. (2000)

The program combines rigorous theoretical learning with applied projects on current real datasets, along with practice in technical writing and presentation skills. This gives one a solid background for almost any future career.
-- Herbie Lee, Ph.D. (1999)

Learning fundamental theoretical, applied, and computational statistical methods at Carnegie Mellon University provided me with a rock solid foundation of knowledge that has allowed me to explore many various areas of statistics after receiving my master's degree. The elite training provided by the caring and knowledgeable faculty prepares students for both academic and non-academic pursuits. Few other departments in the country can compete with respect to computational statistical methods, and none are superior.
-- Russell Steele, M.S. (1998)

The curriculum strikes a good balance between theory and applications. You will receive thorough preparation in theoretical foundations as well as in application of theory to real world problems. This blend prepares you for a career in either industry or academics.
-- Paul Gustafson, Ph.D. (1993)

Weekly seminars expose us to current research in the field, and workshops provide an opportunity for discussion in a less formal atmosphere. In many of these discussions, basic issues arise and one is forced to confront the foundations of statistical inference. I think that this is an essential part of any statistics Ph.D. program.
-- Mark Fitzgerald, Ph.D. (1995)

At CMU you really learn how to be a statistician, and how to be a part of the statistical community. The opportunities that the department provides--to participate in active research programs, to attend conferences, and in other professional activities--truly prepare you for a career in statistics.
-- Lara Wolfson, Ph.D. (1995)

The faculty excel in creating an open and friendly atmosphere. Professors' office doors are always open to students for discussions about coursework, statistics, or life in general. The courses are flexible enough for students to explore their personal interests, yet provide a superb basis for further study.
--Michelle Dunn, M.S. (1996)

What I will always remember about CMU stats is how friendly the staff, faculty and students were. It is an extremely supportive and competition-free environment. Faculty were always accessible and willing to help you out at any time. They also had utmost respect for the student's ideas. The balance of theory and practice in the curriculum was also very impressive. Overall a great department and I continue to recommend it where ever I am.
-- Cristina Ilangakoon, M.S. (1996)

The academic climate is stimulating and challenging but not internally competitive or contentious. Faculty and fellow students are very friendly and supportive. Collaboration among and between students and faculty is where much of the learning takes place.
-- Richard Patz, Ph.D. (1996)

The faculty and students are warm and friendly. As a foreign student, they helped me feel welcome in a new culture.
-- Kate Hsiao, Ph.D. (1994)

Pittsburgh is a great place to live. Whether you love sports, music, or the countryside, Pittsburgh has it all. And there is affordable housing within walking distance to school.
-- Nancy Paul Silliman, Ph.D. (1994)