Statistics Ph.D. Application

The University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School will discontinue the use of the Graduate Record Examination general test in Rackham Ph.D. admissions decisions, beginning with the 2022-2023 admissions cycle.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required to apply for admission. Students who have taken the GRE may include the test result as additional information in their application if they wish. The GRE scores that we do receive play a minor and supporting role in a holistic evaluation of the application. If you wish to submit your GRE score, include a copy of your GRE score report from ETS with your optional application materials.  

Dates and places to take the examination may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service by creating a GRE account.  The University of Michigan code for the GRE is 1839.  The GRE scores are automatically added to applicant records as long as name and birth date can be matched.  Applicants must request that their scores be sent to the University of Michigan using the code above, on the GRE website

An English test is required of all non-native speakers except those who hold a degree from an institution where instruction was exclusively in English. Most commonly this requirement is satisfied by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) The University of Michigan requires a minimum TOEFL score of 84.

Non-native speakers have to take the TOEFL or IELTS unless the official language of instruction at the institution where they received their undergraduate degree was English. Applicants can qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria are met:

• You are a native speaker of English.
• You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only.
• You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. NOTE: If you completed a Master’s degree that was strictly research and no academic classes, that degree does not meet the exemption. This type of Master’s degree is generally awarded at a non-U.S. institution.
• You are a current U-M student.

Applicants must request that their scores be sent to the University of Michigan (code 1839), on the TOEFL website. For more details on the English test requirements and alternatives to TOEFL, please refer to Rackham's English proficiency requirements.

A scanned/electronic copy of the official transcript will be used for initial review by our admissions committee.  You will be required to have your official transcript sent to the Rackham Graduate School only if you are recommended for admission; please see Instructions for Submitting Transcripts.  Be sure to include your University of Michigan ID number on all documents.  If there is anything you wish to explain about your transcript, please do so in the Statement of Purpose.

Three (3) letters of recommendation in support of the student's application must be submitted. The admissions committee puts great weight on concrete letters of recommendation from people who are in a position to judge your potential for successfully completing graduate studies in statistics. Often these letters reveal strengths and interests that might not be reflected in grades and GRE scores. You should select recommenders who can tell us about your training and abilities, and about any special talents you might have. 

Recommenders must complete their recommendations online. When the applicant registers the recommenders' names in CollegeNet, an email is automatically sent with a link to enter the recommendation online. Applicants should check the status of their recommendations on the CollegeNet website status page.

System tip: If, when registering your recommenders online, you are not sure of which three recommenders you want to request letters from, use your name and email address as a place holder. You can go back and change the recommenders information later. Please see Rackham's Instructions for Submitting Online Letters of Recommendations for more information.

The Statement of Purpose gives you an opportunity to tell us about yourself and your reasons for wishing to pursue a graduate degree in statistics at Michigan. You should tell us about your background, motivating influences that aroused your interest in statistics, and your career goals and objectives. If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program elsewhere, you should tell us why you wish to change institutions or degree programs.

How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan? For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. The statement will be read by the faculty members of the admissions committee.

Submit your curriculum vitae or resume that describes your education, work experience, research and teaching experience, professional affiliations, volunteer activity and community engagements, honors and awards.

Applicants can provide a summary of courses not reflected in their submitted transcripts, such as a summary of online courses taken (one page at most) and/or an abstract of a research paper (one page at most). This section of the application is optional.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required to apply for admission. Students who have taken the GRE may include the test result as additional information in their application if they wish. The GRE scores that we do receive play a minor and supporting role in a holistic evaluation of the application. If you wish to submit your GRE score, include a copy of your GRE score report from ETS with your optional application materials.

There is a non-refundable application fee, subject to change:

• United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status — $75
• Non-U.S. Citizens — $90

Applications received without fees will not be processed. The application fee is paid online with a credit card before the application is submitted. 

Applicants who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or have DACA status may be eligible for a fee waiver.   First, please review the options through our Rackham Graduate School. If you do not qualify for any of these programs but need financial assistance in order to apply, please complete this form. Requests for fee waivers must be received by November 15. Waivers must be granted prior to submission of application; applicants cannot be reimbursed if they have already paid the fee.