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

Application forms and forms for letters of recommendation are available for downloading. These forms are PDF files that can be displayed and printed with Adobe® Acrobat®.

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 2001-2002 academic year, teaching and research assistants will receive $1,300/month for the nine-month academic year in addition to full payment of graduate tuition, currently $24,550 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 Center for Automated Learning and Discovery, should indicate their interest on the application forms.

How to Apply

1. Fill out the application form included with this catalog.
2. Submit transcripts from all college-level institutions attended whether or not a degree was received.
3. Have three letters sent to us by professional references, one of which must be from the institution most recently attended. If possible, at least two of the three letters should be written by individuals who have taught you mathematics, statistics, or another quantitative discipline. Several recommendation forms are included with this catalog.
4. Take the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test and have your scores sent to us. It is important that you make sure a copy of your score report is sent directly to the Department of Statistics. Information on these examinations is available from Graduate Record Examinations CN6000, Princeton, N.J. 08541-6000, USA, or from the Educational Testing Service World Wide Web site, http://www.ets.org/. The current institution code for Carnegie Mellon University is R2074. Use 0704 Probability and Statistics as the Department Code. If you are requesting admission for September, you should plan to take your exams so that the score will reach the Department of Statistics by the beginning of February.
5. Foreign students who are having difficulty taking the GRE because of such problems as currency exchange may request that their applications be considered without the GRE score. However, students are strongly urged to take the test. Students who request a waiver may find themselves at a disadvantage when compared with candidates who have similar recommendations and grades and who have, in addition, taken the GRE exam.
6. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit:
   • An official report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Generally, students should have a total score of at least 550 to be considered for admission to the program and higher scores are desirable.
   • An official report of the Test of Spoken English (TSE).
   Further information regarding TOEFL and TSE may be obtained from Test of English as a Foreign Language, CN6151, Princeton, N.J. 08541-6151, USA, or from the Educational Testing Service World Wide Web site, http://www.ets.org/.
   Additional documentation of ability to speak English may improve an applicant's chance of being admitted. Foreign applicants should supply an email address so that we may arrange a telephone interview with you. Reasonable fluency in written and spoken English is essential for successful completion of the program, and entering students will be required to make up any deficiency in this area during their first year of graduate study.
7. Please mail all requested information to the following address. There is a non-refundable $35 application fee which must accompany your application. It is our policy to grant no waivers of the fee. If payment is not made, the file will not be reviewed.

Director of Admissions
Department of Statistics
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Telephone: (412) 268-8727
E-mail: admissions@stat.cmu.edu

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 January 15.

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