Q: For what terms are students admitted to the Department of Statistics?
A: Ph.D. students are admitted for Fall only.
Q: What is the deadline to apply for admission?
A: The deadline for admission is December 15th. For more information, see the Application page.
Q: I see there is an application fee. If I want to apply to more than one program at a time, do I have to submit separate applications and pay more than one application fee?
A: Yes, applicants must submit a separate application, including application fee, for each program to which they apply. It is due at the time of application and is non-refundable.
Q: Can I request an application fee waiver?
A: If you are applying to a Statistics graduate program and need assistance with the application fee, we encourage you to apply 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 December 5. Waivers must be granted prior to submission of application; applicants cannot be reimbursed if they have already paid the fee.
Submitted Materials:
Q: May I complete a paper application?
A: All applications must be submitted online.
Q: Can the application fee be waived?
A: In some circumstances, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver from Rackham; see details here. Additionally, a limited number of fee waivers are available from LSA for US citizens or permanent residents who meet RMF eligibility criteria. If you believe you qualify for this waiver, please email statsphdprogram@umich.edu at least 10 business days before December 1. Note that receipt of an application fee waiver will not have an effect on an admissions decision.
Q: What if I submitted all my materials but one of my recommenders did not submit their letter by December 15th?
A: The system will still accept letters of recommendation after December 15th and if your application is complete apart from the letters, we will still consider it. However, if there are missing letters at the time your application is reviewed by the committee, it will reduce your chances for admission. Please make every effort to have your recommenders send their letters on time.
Q: Do I send any documents to the Department of Statistics during the application process?
A: No. All documents should be included in your online application. Instructions for submitting transcripts either electronically (preferred) or via mail can be found here. Electronic submission of letters of recommendation is strongly preferred, and instructions for submission can be found here.
Q: Do I need to submit official or unofficial transcripts at the time of application?
A: Applicants should submit current official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School at the time of application. Instructions for submitting transcripts either electronically or via mail can be found here. These should not be sent to the department. If there is anything you wish to explain about your transcript, please do so in the Statement of Purpose.
Q: Must all of the letters of recommendations be academic?
A: No, but the majority should be academic. All recommendations should address your ability and potential for Ph.D. studies in statistics.
Q: Do I need to specify the faculty member I want to work with for my Ph.D. in my application?
A: No. Typically, students do not need to choose their thesis advisor until their second year in the program.
English Proficiency Test:
Q: Do I need to take the TOEFL?
A: Non-native speakers of English have to take the TOEFL or IELTS unless English was the official language of instruction at the institution where they received their undergraduate degree. 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. 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.
For more information, see the Rackham English Proficiency Requirements on the Rackham website.
Q: How long are TOEFL scores valid?
A: TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years. We accept TOEFL scores expiring in late fall or early winter as long as the official report from ETS is received before the deadline.
Q: What is the minimum TOEFL score required?
A: The minimum TOEFL total score required is 84 on the Internet based test.
For more information, see the Rackham English Proficiency Requirements on the Rackham website.
