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. Occasionally students who already have a Master's degree are admitted directly into the Ph.D. program.
The Department has an early admission program for undergraduates in their junior year at Carnegie Mellon University and other Pittsburgh colleges and universities. Those accepted begin the program at the start of their senior year. As they finish their undergraduate studies, they use available electives for courses recommended by the Department of Statistics. This early admissions program enables participants to complete the M.S. program in one year beyond the bachelor's degree. Students admitted under this program need not reapply in their senior year.
Applicants must provide complete undergraduate and graduate transcripts as well as three letters of recommendation. Applicants must also take the GRE Aptitude Test. (GRE requirements may be waived in special cases.) Copies of GRE score reports should be sent directly to the Department of Statistics. Further information on these tests is available from Graduate Record Examinations, CN6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, U.S.A..
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL examination. Reasonable fluency in written and spoken English is essential for the 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. Further information regarding the TOEFL exam may be obtained from Test of English as a Foreign Language, CN6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA.
A non-refundable $25 application fee is required by the Department of Statistics.
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 1992-93 academic year, teaching and research assistants will receive $9,370 for the nine-month academic year in addition to full payment of graduate tuition, currently $16,960 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 Program in Psychiatric Statistics is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. Trainees in this program receive National Research Service Awards. This award covers all tuition and fees and provides a stipend. In addition, funds are provided for trainees to attend scientific meetings. The award allows a trainee to devote full time to the Program in Psychiatric Statistics without any requirement of other Departmental assistantship duties, although supplementation of the stipend in return for additional assistantship duties is sometimes possible. Upon completion of this Ph.D. program, trainees are required to accept employment that calls on their training for a period equal to the length of time they held the award. Generally, academic employment or employment involving research in the mental health field would be appropriate. The spirit of this requirement is that those receiving training with the support of federal funds should use that training. In order to qualify for National Research Service Awards, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
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.
How to Apply
Fill out the application form included with this catalog.
Submit transcripts from all college-level institutions attended whether or not a degree was received.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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. Additional documentation of ability to speak English may improve an applicant's chance of being admitted. 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. Further information regarding TOEFL may be obtained from Test of English as a Foreign Language, CN 6151, Princeton, N.J. 08541-6151, USA.
Admissions are highly competitive. It is to the applicant's advantage to submit relevant admissions materials to the Department of Statistics as soon as possible. Usually, decisions are made by mid-March for students who plan to begin study the following Fall semester. There is no strict deadline; however, if you are planning to begin study in the Fall, you are strongly encouraged to send in your admission application to us by January 15 and your other materials as soon as possible thereafter.
There is a non-refundable $25 application fee which should accompany your application.
Please mail all requested information to the following address:
Admissions Secretary
Department of Statistics
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Telephone: (412) 268-2717
E-mail: admissions@stat.cmu.edu
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