statistics phd statement of purpose

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How to Apply

Program information.

On this page you will find information on how to apply for the Statistics Ph.D. Program. For further information on the program, including funding, eligibility, curriculum, and more, please visit the Statistics Ph.D. Program page.

The Statistics Department understands that the Covid-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, including the disruption to coursework, research, and access to standardized tests, and will take this into account in our holistic application review.

Application Deadline 

Applications for Fall admission to the PhD program in Statistics are due  December 15 .  The department does not accept applications for Winter admission. A completed application must be submitted by December 15 to be considered for admission.

Applications must be submitted  online . Applicants are strongly encouraged to review Rackham's Checklist for Completing the Application Process for an overview of the application process. If an applicant or recommender experiences technical difficulties while using the application or recommendation system please contact  [email protected]  (allow 24 hours for a response).

Please review our  Frequently Asked Questions Page  for answers to specific questions regarding the application process. If you have additional questions, please contact the PhD Program Coordinator at [email protected]. 

Program codes to use in the application:

• Code 00483 — Statistics Ph.D.

Application Checklist

• Application form
• Recommender names and email addresses
• Transcripts (scan of official transcript)

Statement of Purpose

Personal statement.

• Resume or CV
• TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• Arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Rackham Graduate School Admissions Office. See  Rackham's transcript policy  for address and information.

For additional details, please see  Rackham's Checklist for Completing the Application Process . Do not send anything to the Department of Statistics. Materials sent directly to the Department by regular mail or email will not be reviewed with your application.

Application Requirements

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

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

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 .

Transcripts

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.

Letters of Recommendation (3 Required)

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.

Curriculum Vitae/Resume

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.

(Optional) - Summary of Courses and/or Research Paper Abstract, GRE

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.

Application Fee

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.

How to Check Your Application Status

You can check your application status on the University of Michigan  Wolverine Access  website. This is the University's web portal and it's your first stop for most of the things you will need to do. To create a "friend account" for Guest Access to Wolverine Access, go to  U-M Computing Resources .

If you have further questions, contact the Statistics PhD Program Coordinator at [email protected] .

Rackham Student Life Website

Rackham's graduate  student life website  has information about housing, health care, transportation, child care, and so on.

Note: All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

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Stanford Online

How to write a compelling statement of purpose for graduate school.

A statement of purpose (SOP) is a critical component of most graduate school applications, and are often required for various types of graduate level programs, including Graduate Certificates and Master’s Degrees .

An SOP offers you the opportunity to showcase your motivations, qualifications, and aspirations to a school’s Office of Admissions. Crafting an effective SOP requires careful planning and attention to detail. Whether you're applying to Stanford or any other institution, here's a guide on how to write a standout statement of purpose that shows how your goals align with the program's expectations.

Understanding the Prompt

A prompt's comprehensive nature offers you the chance to provide a holistic view of your journey, motivations, and aspirations. Be sure to check the websites of any programs you’re applying to, as they often have additional information or suggested frameworks to get you started.

Stanford Master’s Degree

If you are applying to a Stanford master’s degree program , the recommended maximum length for your SOP is 1,000 words and the prompt for the statement of purpose emphasizes several key elements:

• Reasons for applying
• Preparation for the field of study
• Research interests
• Future career plans
• Relevant aspects of your background

Stanford Graduate Certificate

If you are applying to take individual graduate courses or pursue a graduate certificate through Stanford Online, the prompt contains less elements than for the master’s program. This statement of purpose should be brief, as you’re limited to 4000 characters. You should summarize:

• Specific course work on your transcript that meets the course and or certificate prerequisites
• Relevant aspects of your professional experience

Tips for Writing your Statement of Purpose

After you fully understand the prompt for the program you’re applying to, use these tips to guide your writing:

• Be Concise and Focused Most institutions have maximum lengths for words or characters. With limited space, it's important to be concise and focused. Use each word purposefully to convey your message. Ensure that every paragraph adds value and contributes to your overall narrative.
• Start Strong Your opening should be attention-grabbing. Consider sharing a personal anecdote, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question that sets the tone for your SOP. Engaging the reader from the beginning can make your statement more memorable.
• Address the Prompt Thoroughly Cover each aspect of the prompt thoroughly, addressing your reasons for applying, your background preparation, your research interests, and your future career plans. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. For instance, if you're applying to a computer science program, discuss projects, coursework, or experiences that highlight your passion and readiness for further study in this field.
• Showcase Fit with the Program Demonstrate a clear understanding of the program you're applying to and explain why it's an ideal fit for your academic and career goals. Highlight specific courses, professors, research opportunities, or unique features of the program that attracted you. This showcases your commitment to the program and demonstrates that you've done your research. You may consider including reasons your presence will benefit the program as your uniqueness may help set you apart from other applicants.
• Highlight Research Interests Discuss your research interests in detail. Explain how your past experiences have shaped your interests and how the program's resources can help you further develop them. Share any relevant research projects you've been a part of and explain their impact on your academic journey. If your program includes a capstone, you may want to include more actionable, compelling examples.
• Connect to Your Future Career Articulate your future career plans and explain how the program will prepare you for success. Whether you plan to pursue academia, industry, or another path, convey how the skills and knowledge gained from the program will contribute to your career trajectory.
• Weave in Personal Background Share aspects of your personal background that are relevant to your journey. This could include challenges you've overcome, experiences that have shaped your perspective, or unique qualities that set you apart. Ensure that these details contribute to your overall narrative and that adding them showcases your qualifications.
• Edit and Proofread After writing your SOP, review it meticulously for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Typos and errors can detract from the impact of your statement. Consider seeking feedback from mentors, professors, or peers to ensure your SOP effectively conveys your message.
• Tailor for Specific Programs If you're applying to multiple programs, make sure to customize each SOP to align with the specific program's offerings and requirements. Avoid using a generic SOP for all applications, this tends to be very noticeable to admissions.
• Seek Inspiration from Examples If you’re applying to a Stanford Master’s program, the Stanford Graduate Admissions website provides specific guidance on the statement of purpose. Review your program’s recommendations and, if available, consider reading sample SOPs from successful applicants to gather inspiration and insights.

Writing a compelling statement of purpose for graduate school requires thoughtful reflection, careful planning, and clear communication. By addressing the prompt comprehensively, showcasing your fit with the program, and demonstrating your passion and readiness, you can craft an SOP that stands out and may even increase your chances of admission to your desired program. Although it’s far from the only criteria that will be considered in the admissions process, your SOP is your chance to tell your unique story and show why you are a perfect candidate for graduate study. We hope you find this guide useful as you write your statement of purpose, please know that following this guide does not guarantee your admission to any program.

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SOP FOR PHD IN statistics

Are you planning to become an expert statistician with a PhD? It is indispensable to prepare yourself with an  excellent SOP  for PhD in Statistics to wend your way into colleges outside India. But this is where many students face a challenge with their writing skills. As professional writers, we had the fortune to provide assistance to countless Ph.D. candidates realize their vision and turn into a researcher.  And we can do the same for you.

Points To Include In SOP For PhD In Statistics

Students aspiring to join a PhD program in statistics need to make sure that their statement of purpose is appropriately written to meet the demands of the course and the academy. Every institution of higher education has some stipulations on the type of students they want to accommodate. You get the best results if your SOP for PhD in Statistics portrays you in a favorable light according to those demands. Do not limit your SOP to a non-specific mode of writing. Instead, connect everything that you say to your identity as a researcher. Use facts to support your reasons for pursuing a doctorate and substantiate your expertise in the subject.

You must make certain to your draft a statement of purpose that meets the hopes of the admission council. The essay should also cover other areas of interest that they will want to know about you. Trying to include the answers to the below-given questions will guarantee that your essay is inclusive and complete. To make this article more instructive, we have included excerpts from the sample SOP for PhD in Statistics that we have written. Please contact us to get the full version of the document.

• Why do you want to research statistics? How will it improve your prospects?

“Pursuing my doctoral studies in Statistics will be the commencement of a novel expedition that is not destined to cease. As a former student of IIM, I am mindful of how much modern business is dependent on statistics. Even emerging technologies like Data Science and Artificial intelligence require the thorough consulting of expert statisticians. This demand for expertise gives me great hopes of securing a rewarding career in the future.”

• What research experiences or skills do you possess? How will it help you in this pursuit?

“During my graduation, I presented a project on Regression modeling. The paper proposes a multivariate autoregressive analysis in place of traditional regression trees. The work received much applause from many academic experts around the country. I am confident that by pursuing a doctorate, I can continue to improve myself personally, scholastically, and professionally.”

• What will your research focus on? How do you think it will impact the domain?

“Among the major subtopics of Statistics, I wish to emphasize my studies on bivariate distributions, combinatorics, and Bayesian Statistics. These subjects have been the core of my passion and my forte. I feel confident that through my research, I will be able to make valuable contributions to your university and this field of study.”

• Why did you choose this program from this college?

“While exploring the prospects of your academy, I came across the works of Dr. Nit Lau, whose research are in line with my interests. I look forwards to associating with her team in the future. It is also favorable that the XXX University has a reputation for providing students and researchers with extensive research possibilities.  For these reasons, I am confident that the University of XXXX is the ideal spot for me to pursue a PhD.”

Sample sop for PhD

When reading an SOP for PhD in statistics, the members of the college admission council will be expecting a refined style of language and narration. It is essential to keep in mind to use words and phrases that are most suitable for your target audience. The aim of writing an SOP is not only about conveying your ideas efficiently but also about doing it with an impressive style. The quality of the write-up will add sparkles to your strengths and accomplishments, and improve your likelihood of securing a seat to the course.

SOP Samples For Masters

Are you Searching for the perfect SOP Samples for MS ? Here we have attached a few SOP samples to make your understanding clear. Click on the below-attached links to download free samples.

Get Professional Help For SOP For PhD In Statistics

Even if your statement of purpose for PhD in Statistics covers all the points mentioned above, the chances of rejection are high if you fail to present the essay in a satisfactory fashion. Your essay should be crafted with good penmanship and style. It should also be free of all types of errors.

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Description

PhD Admissions Requirements and Procedures

Requirements.

Thank you for your interest in applying to the doctoral program offered by the Department of Statistics.

PhD in Statistics Program Summary

Contact: stat-admissions-PhD [at] lists.stanford.edu ( stat-admissions-PhD[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu )

All graduate applications are reviewed at the department level. Please read the following information and the Admissions FAQ page carefully. We have made extensive and ongoing efforts to provide detailed, thorough and relevant information regarding the application process and hope that it will provide answers to your questions.

APPLICATION DEADLINE - Wednesday, December 4, 2024 (11:59PM PST)

The deadline for all PhD applications to be submitted online for the Department of Statistics for matriculation in Autumn Quarter 2025 is Wednesday, December 4, 2024 . We do not matriculate students in any other quarter. The online application fee is $125 for all applicants, both domestic and international. Visit Stanford Grad Admissions for details regarding their Application Fee Waiver .

Self-reported (unofficial) test scores that could not be included with the online application should be emailed to stat-admissions-PhD [at] lists.stanford.edu (stat-admissions-PhD[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu) and must be received by the above deadline.

Recommenders must submit online recommendation letters by the above deadline.

IMPORTANT: Effective May 2024, the GRE Math Subject Test is optional. Applicants to our program are still required to take the GRE General Test.

Applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree from a university based in the US should review the information for international student eligibility to apply to graduate school at Stanford and Official Transcripts & Degree Conferral Documents (2025 Entry) . The applicant should be sure that the bachelor's degree or equivalent will be conferred before the intended program start date.

Offers of admission cannot be made without receipt of official test scores for required tests.

What do I need to submit?

Applicants can access the online application and all accompanying information beginning in mid-September. If you encounter any problems while completing or submitting the application, please contact the support team by clicking Request Application Support in the Instructions section of the application. Since the Stanford application software is not Stanford-based, we are unable to help with technical issues.

Explain the nature of your interest in one specific program in the department and reasons for wanting to study at Stanford. In the first sentence of your statement of purpose, indicate the name of the specific program to which you are applying. Include details about your preparation for this field of study, your future career plans, and any other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. Your statement should be typed, single-spaced, and no longer than two pages, ensuring that your full name and the program to which you are applying is on each page. If you are applying to Stanford together with another person (siblings, couples, etc.) and would not accept admission if both were not admitted, please let us know. Note that once your application has been submitted, we cannot accept any revised statements of purpose, résumés or transcripts.

Do not upload academic papers, theses, or dissertations as part of your statement of purpose. These items are not required. If you wish to submit them, please do so separately by uploading them in either the Experience section of the application (if applicable) or the Additional Information section. We do not accept materials submitted via email or mail.

List every post-secondary institution where you were enrolled — or are currently enrolled — in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Your list must include the institution where you earned your bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent as defined in Stanford’s minimum education requirements for graduate study.

For each institution you list, upload your transcript. The transcripts you upload as part of your application are considered unofficial and will suffice for the review process.

If you are offered admission to Stanford AND accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts/degree conferral documents. Instructions are provided on the status page immediately after accepting the offer. Y ou may also be required to submit a WES evaluation as verification of your academic credentials. For more information, refer to Official Transcripts & Degree Conferral Documents (2025 Entry) .

If you have participated in a study abroad program or transferred courses to your home institution, and the individual courses and grades are reflected on the transcript of the home institution, you do not need to submit separate transcripts for the study abroad/transfer institution.

Multiple page uploads are allowed for all transcripts. Do not send official copies of transcripts (print or e-transcripts) to the department during the application process. They are not required as part of the application and will not be uploaded to your application or acknowledged.

See the Graduate Admissions transcripts web page for additional guidance on transcripts.

GPA/Converting International GPA

GPAs of at least 3.5 are strongly recommended.

Applicants must include GPAs for all current and completed degree programs. If the applicant's school does not use any scoring system or only provides grades at the end of the degree program, please note this in the second free text field of the Academic History section of the application.

Applicants whose school's scoring system does not use the 4.0 scale should enter the original GPA and GPA scale (e.g., a scale of 1-30 or 1-100) as it appears on your transcript. Do NOT convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale if it is reported on a different scale.

IMPORTANT: Please note that it can take 2-3 weeks for your official test scores to arrive from ETS. In addition, the department cannot see or access these scores until approximately two weeks after you have submitted your online application. Finally, the test score status in your checklist (viewable after submission of the application) may take an additional 10 business days to change to " official ". Applications will be considered complete with unofficial scores, although no offers of admission can be made without receipt of official scores.

GRE General Test ( gre.org ): Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Applicants who already hold a PhD degree from an accredited institution may request a waiver for the general test (see below).

Applicants must be able to provide at least self-reported (unofficial) test scores for the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE general test by the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline. All official score reports must be sent electronically by ETS to Stanford University. Our institution code number for ETS reporting is 4704. No department number is required. Test scores may be no older than five years, dating back from the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline. The GMAT is not accepted as a substitute for the GRE.

Applications will be processed using the self-reported (unofficial) test scores. If you submit your online application before you have taken the test, you may add the scores later, as long as it is still prior to the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline. Offers of admission are contingent on receipt of the official scores.

While we have not established any particular GRE score necessary for admission, the average General GRE percentile scores of recently admitted applicants are Verbal 92%, Quantitative 94% and Analytical Writing 83%. If you submit results from more than one eligible test date, the highest score from each section will be considered.

If you have already earned a PhD degree, or your PhD studies are in progress when you apply and your degree will be conferred prior to your intended start quarter, you may request a GRE General Test waiver by emailing stat-admissions-PhD [at] lists.stanford.edu (stat-admissions-PhD[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu) with the following information and attaching an unofficial copy of your PhD transcript: full name, institution attended, degree earned, and degree conferral date. Use the subject heading "GRE General Test Waiver Request".

OPTIONAL GRE Math Subject Test : Effective May 2024, the GRE Math Subject Test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) is optional. If submitted as part of the application, GRE Math Subject Test scores will be considered by the admissions committee. Applicants submitting GRE Math Subject Test scores are still required to submit GRE General Test scores. 

All official score reports must be sent electronically by ETS to Stanford University. Our institution code number for ETS reporting is 4704. No department number is required. Test scores may be no older than five years, dating back from the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline. 

GRE Math Subject Test schedule

IMPORTANT: Please note that it can take 2 to 3 weeks for your official test scores to arrive from ETS. In addition, the department cannot see or access these scores until approximately two weeks after you have submitted your online application. Finally, the test score status in your checklist (viewable after submission of the application) may take an additional 10 business days to change 'official'. Applications will be considered complete with unofficial scores, although no offers of admission can be made without official scores.

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Stanford accepts only ETS (Educational Testing Service) scores. Our institution code number for ETS reporting is 4704. No department number is required. Test scores may be no older than 24 months, dating back from the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline. Scores expire after 24 months and will not be available from ETS.

We accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition if you are unable to take the traditional TOEFL iBT test in a test center. If you take the Home Edition or Paper Edition, you may be required to complete additional English placement testing prior to enrollment. We do not accept TOEFL Essentials scores or any other English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS, PTE).

Exemptions are granted to applicants who have earned (or will earn, before enrolling at Stanford) a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States (territories and possessions excluded), or an equivalent degree from an English-language university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

You may request a waiver if you (will) have an equivalent degree from a recognized institution in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom in which English was the language of instruction. You must submit a Stanford application before submitting a TOEFL waiver request form. Note that U.S. citizenship does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL if the applicant’s first language is not English.

A minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the Internet based test (iBT) is required by Stanford University for all PhD applicants. However, please note that the Graduate Admission's Required Exams webpage also states that incoming students who score below 109 on the TOEFL will likely be required to complete additional English placement testing prior to enrollment. Evidence of adequate English proficiency must be submitted before enrollment is approved by Graduate Admissions. The average TOEFL score of PhD applicants admitted to the statistics department is 112. The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required. Stanford accepts MyBest scores but does not currently accept TOEFL Essentials test scores.

Applications will be processed using the self-reported (unofficial) test scores. If you submit your online application before you have taken the test, you may add the score later, as long as it is still prior to the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline. iBT test-takers should be able to access their scores online approximately 10 days after the test date. We recommend that you take the test no later than one month prior to the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline application deadline. Offers of admission are contingent on receipt of the official scores.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation are managed via an online recommendation system, which is part of the online application. Applicants will be required to register the contact information of their recommenders who will then receive an email with directions on how to proceed. Recommendations must be submitted by the Statistics Department's PhD application deadline.

We do not accept emailed or paper recommendations, or letters sent by Interfolio, which is not compatible with the online system. Please ask your recommenders to submit their letters directly using the online application system. However, we do accept letters submitted by your university's letter service. If this applies to you, you will still need to enter information for each recommender in the online application, including email addresses which will automatically generate the email to each recommender requesting a letter. It is your responsibility to contact them to let them know to disregard this email and to use the university's letter service. Please use stat-admissions-phd [at] lists.stanford.edu (stat-admissions-PhD[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu) when routing through the letter service.

Your letters should be written by those who have supervised you in either an academic or employment setting. If possible, at least one should be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Your recommendations should directly address your suitability for admission to the Statistics department. We pay extra attention to the potential for future excellence, as indicated in letters of recommendation. The most important factors we look at are quantitative and analytic strength, communication skills in English, leadership, maturity, and focus.

Note: If you have any concerns that one of your recommenders will not be able to submit their letter by the deadline, you may want to consider requesting letters from a total of four recommenders. This will increase the likelihood that three letters will be submitted by the deadline and that your application will be marked as complete.

Applicants must upload a resume/CV into the Experience section of the application. Applicants may also upload additional papers such as samples of your academic or published works in this section. Any additional papers will be retained as part of your application, though there is no guarantee that they will be reviewed by the admissions committee. 

Applicants who indicate that they would like to be considered for the master’s program in the Program Selection section of the online application must confirm this by submitting an email request to stat-admissions-PhD [at] lists.stanford.edu (stat-admissions-PhD[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu) within three business days of receiving the PhD admissions decision notification. Note that it is not guaranteed that the MS Admissions Committee will accept your application for review. You will be notified via email whether your request has been approved.

Notification of Received Application Materials

Please refer to your application checklist on the Graduate Application Status page of your online application to determine whether any materials have yet to be received.

Financial aid

Please note that requesting financial aid on the application form will not affect your chances of being admitted to the Statistics PhD program. Prospective students should review the estimated expenses associated with graduate study at Stanford.

Financial support

All students accepted to the Ph.D. program are guaranteed five years of 12-month funding through spring quarter of the fifth year, which includes tuition, Stanford’s Cardinal Care individual health insurance , and a salary or stipend. Financial support is typically provided through teaching and research assistantship salary and tuition allowance.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for outside scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial support. Students with outside support enable the department to stretch its own resources. The department will supplement outside awards to the level set for departmental support. More information about financial support.

For more information

For more information, please review the Stanford Graduate Admissions web site. If you still have questions after carefully reviewing this page and our FAQ page, please contact us at stat-admissions-PhD [at] lists.stanford.edu (subject: Admissions%3A%20LAST%20NAME%2C%20First%20Name) (stat-admissions-PhD[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu) ; type "Admissions: LAST NAME, First Name" in the subject line of your message, specifying your last and first names. We receive a large number of requests for information, and therefore appreciate your understanding if there are delays in receiving a response.

Good luck! We look forward to receiving your application.

How to Apply

GRE and TOEFL/IELTS Scores

GRE scores are not required or reviewed. 

Any international student who does not qualify for an English language proficiency  waiver will be required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores. There can be no exceptions to this policy. 

Academic Statement of Purpose & Personal Statement

The Statistics PhD program will require applicants to submit both an academic statement of purpose and a personal statement . 

Applications are submitted electronically using the  Web-Based Application form . Required application materials include a CV, transcripts from all undergraduate/graduate institutions, and two letters of recommendation. Additional information beyond what is requested as part of the Web-Based Application form is not required. All requested application materials should therefore be submitted as part of the Web-Based Application process.

IMPORTANT : no other materials should be sent to the Field of Statistics by e-mail, FAX or surface mail unless applicants are contacted directly and asked to submit additional information. Neither the Field of Statistics nor Department of Statistics and Data Science will accept, or otherwise assume liability for, unsolicited information submitted by PhD and MPS program applicants.

Please refer to the Graduate School's page for further details on admission requirements, information on degrees, subjects, and concentrations for the Statistics PhD program. Please refer to the Graduate School Fellowship in Support of Diversity page for details about fellowships. 

Application Deadlines

Applications for the PhD program are due by January 1st for admission in the following Fall term; Spring term admission is not permitted.

Applying to Our M.S. or Ph.D. Program

Thank you for your interest in our graduate programs in Statistics. To apply for admission to our Master of Applied Statistics program please visit this link . To apply for admission to our M.S. or Ph.D. program please visit this link . To apply for admission to our Articulated Masters program please also visit this link .

Since applicants can ONLY apply to one program at UCLA each quarter, if you are applying to UCLA’s Biostatistics Program in the Fall, you cannot apply for UCLA’s Statistics Program in that same quarter.

Since you can only apply to one of our degree programs at a time, you cannot submit an application to both our M.S. and Ph.D. Programs for the same quarter.

Requirements & Qualifications for Consideration

• Ph.D. and M.S. students are admitted only in the Fall. Deadlines to apply for entry into the next Fall term are December 10, for all Ph.D. applicants and February 1, for all M.S. applicants.
• GRE – A GRE score is highly recommended when applying to the Ph.D. and M.S. programs of the Department of Statistics and Data Science.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation. Letters should emphasize the applicant’s level of preparation for graduate study in Statistics.
• Submission of the Online Graduate Application.

Statement of Purpose & Personal Statement A bachelor’s degree in statistics is not required for the M.S. or Ph.D. programs, but applicants should have taken at least 12 quarter courses (or eight semester courses) in substantial upper division quantitative work, including, but not limited to, courses in statistics, mathematics, computer science, and electrical engineering.

M.S. applicants must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2 in their upper division courses.

Ph.D. applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 to apply to the doctoral program. Applicants who have already obtained a master’s degree must have maintained an average of better than 3.5 in graduate study.

Foreign applicants must upload their original transcripts and English translations (if applicable), TOEFL or IELTS scores & Confidential Financial Statement to the online application. If there is no identifying section, please upload these documents to the Supplementary Materials section. Please do not mail/send any documents to the office until further notice.

The Application Process Applications must be completed online. International Admission Requirements All M.S. and M.A.S. International applicants must upload a Confidential Financial Statement with their application. The document is found at this link . Please complete and upload it to the Supplemental or Supporting Documents section of the application.

Non-US Citizens whose first language is not English are required to take either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The exam should be taken in November, but no later than January. If you have received a degree from a University in the United States, you need not take the TOEFL.

Non-US Citizens (including Permanent Residents) who would like to serve as a Teaching Assistant are recommended to take the Test of Oral Proficiency. Before our Department can offer a Teaching Assistantship to any student, they must have passed this exam.

Financial Support Almost all of our doctorate statistics graduate students receive financial support in the form of Teaching Assistants, Research Assistantships, and University and Extramural Fellowships. The support is usually for 4 years and may include registration fees and non-resident tuition. United States citizens and permanent residents who receive non-resident tuition for their first year are expected to establish California residency by their second year.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for fellowships from outside sources (NSF, Javits, etc.) and UCLA special fellowship (listed with the application) that they qualify for.

Due to our limited funds, Master’s students are not guaranteed funding or assistantships. There is a chance that they can get some, but it is not guaranteed.

Application Checklist

Please upload the following items to the UCLA Graduate Division application by December 10th for PhD applicants and by February 1st for MS applicants.

• Online Graduate Application
• Letter of Recommendation (3 Required)
• Statement of Purpose/span>
• Official GRE scores (Highly Recommended) – Use UCLA’s Code: 4837 and Statistics Department code: 0705
• Official TOEFL or ILETS scores (International Applicant Only) (UCLA’s Code: 4837, Department code: 59)
• Confidential Financial Statement* (M.S. International Applicants Only)

In the FIRST paragraph of your statement of purpose, please indicate your specific interests within the realm of statistics and which ladder faculty member would most likely be your research advisor if you are admitted to UCLA Statistics.

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for PhD Admission

The dreaded doctoral statement of purpose — every PhD program asks for it, but why is it so difficult to write? Writing a strong statement of purpose is essential to getting into your top PhD programs. A PhD statement of purpose gives admissions committees an introduction to your research interests and why their specific program is of interest to you.

Like a cover letter for a job application, a great statement of purpose allows you to highlight your strengths, interests and experience. If you need statement of purpose advice, keep reading for guidance on how to write a successful statement of purpose that will make your PhD application stand out.

Statement of purpose vs. personal statement

Though the two may sound similar, they’re not necessarily interchangeable. A personal statement gives insight into who you are, while a statement of purpose is meant to showcase what you want to do. Rarely will you be asked to write a personal statement for a PhD program.

As you go through the PhD application process, you will likely see schools requesting either a statement of purpose or a research statement. In most cases, they're both looking for the same thing. Admissions committees want to know about your academic background, your research goals and what you hope to accomplish as a candidate in a PhD program.

Your research goals should align with faculty research

Being admitted to a PhD program is a great feeling, but if you enroll in a program that doesn’t match your research interests or help support your career goals, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment later down the road.

Applying for admission to a program is all about fit. Faculty reviewers are looking for students who best represent the department’s mission and will help them obtain their research objectives.

By the time you apply, you should have a solid understanding of what the department’s primary research and content areas are, as well as which faculty members you’d like to work with more closely. This might mean finding information about what their labs do and reading published articles related to their work.

Be sure to include how your interests and past experiences align with the work that they do and how you would be an active contributor to those endeavors. This approach shows that you took the time to look into their program, so the committee will be more willing to invest theirs in reviewing your application.

Don’t be afraid to address your weaknesses

Many people assume they should avoid listing their shortcomings in their essays. The whole point of applying to a program is to impress the reviewers, right? But constructively addressing your weaknesses can be a great way to demonstrate how this program can help you achieve your academic goals.

Look at the catalog and read through the courses that are part of the program. If there is a particular class that fascinates you, talk about how it could help you obtain a new skill or a better understanding of a concept that you’ve struggled with before.

This demonstrates that you are actively seeking programs to help you better your education. It also exhibits that you’re mindful of what areas of your knowledge need some improvement, which shows maturity and the ability to self-assess.

Keep it succinct

If your program of interest does not specify a page word or word limit, it’s best to assume that your statement should not exceed two pages total. It should be enough to give them a glimpse of who you are and what you have to offer but not share your life story.

The aim is to communicate how and why this particular program will help you meet your academic and career goals. Limited space means you must prioritize what you include in your statement.

Create an outline before you start writing to ensure you are including points that are relevant to your application and the program to which you are applying. Your statement is also an example of how well you can write. By framing your essay before you write it, you can avoid stream-of-consciousness writing that can often come across as undefined and incoherent.

Proofread! And read it over and over

When you think you have a finished product, read your essay out loud. This makes it easier to catch typos, poor grammar, and oddly worded sentences. If you have a friend who is also applying to grad school, help each other out by editing each other’s essays.

Having someone else read your statement and ask questions can help you clarify your points and make it more compelling. Your statement is your one chance to present yourself professionally in your own words. The occasional mistake is excusable, but messy writing will make them think you lack attention to detail.

Before you hit submit on that application, be sure that you have attached the correct document for the right institution. It can be very embarrassing if your statement mentions the wrong faculty member’s name or refers to another school’s library! It could also cause the reviewers to think you are not as serious about their program.

You’ve spent a good amount of time perfecting your application, so take your time to review everything before you submit it so you can rest easy knowing you’ve presented your best.

Get tips and learn more

about how to apply to a PhD by reading our guide on Choosing, Applying for, and Thriving in a PhD Program!

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• Graduate Studies

Applications

Applications for Autumn 2025 may be submitted online at the Graduate School Application website. We ONLY accept applications for Autumn quarter. Application instructions, including how to apply electronically, are posted at  Application for Graduate Admission . 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Department of Statistics believes diversity is integral to the well-being of our programs in particular and the field of statistics in general.

We welcome applicants with varied cultural and personal experiences, from varying socio-economic and academic backgrounds, and of differing racial identities, ages, gender identities and sexual orientations.

We are committed to providing a well-rounded education that combines academic rigor with hands-on training in a supportive, socially responsible and inclusive environment that offers access and opportunity for all.

As part of our commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in the profession, students and postdocs in the Department of Statistics offer a Pre-Application Review Service (PARS) to help applicants to Ph.D. programs (either at UW or any other programs) develop more competitive applications.  This program is separate from our Ph.D. admission process.  You can find more information about PARS here .

Important Dates

• Please be aware that our application system operates on the US Eastern Time Zone, which means the time displayed in your application may be 3 hours later than the current time in Seattle/Pacific Standard Time). All applications submitted by the deadline and marked as received by the following day at 2:59 a.m. Eastern Time will be considered acceptable.
• Letters of recommendation have a two-week grace period beyond the application deadline for submission. Kindly urge your recommenders to submit the letters at their earliest convenience to ensure the completeness of your application.

Other important dates

Applying as an M.S. or Ph.D. student

The following materials are required for applications to both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs:

• Online application and payment of $90 non-refundable application fee. A limited number of waivers , typically aimed at facilitating applications from low income students, are available
• Online submission of resume/vitae
• Online submission of Statement of Purpose
• Online submission of unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Online submission of three letters of recommendation

The following materials are required for all international and immigrant status applicants - including transfer applicants - whose native language is not English:

• Online submission of official TOEFL score or IELTS (7.0 minimum) score (institution code 4854). Further details of which applicants need to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores can be found under the English Language Requirements section below

The following materials are optional for all applications to both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs:

• Optional: online submission of Personal History Statement
• Optional: GRE Mathematics Subject Test .  Please note that the Department of Statistics does not use the GRE General Test in its admissions process.

The following materials are optional for all applications to the Ph.D. program only:

• Optional: online submission of Funding Needs Survey, if financial assistance is desired.

ALL MATERIALS (INCLUDING TRANSCRIPTS) SHOULD BE SUBMITTED ONLINE. Please do NOT mail any materials to the department unless you are unable to submit them online.

If you would like to be considered for the Ph.D. and the full-time M.S. program, please submit separate applications by the respective application deadlines.

If you have further questions, the  Stat admissions FAQ  may be of help, or your questions may be answered below.

Special instructions for applicants to the part-time/concurrent M.S. program

Students interested in the part-time/concurrent M.S. should contact the department advising office at  [email protected] before submitting an application through the Graduate School portal.

Students applying to the part-time M.S. program are expected to have previously enrolled in the Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM program),  completed STAT 512 and STAT 513, and taken the M.S. Theory Exam before their application to the M.S. program is considered. If accepted into the M.S. programs, the credits for STAT 512 and STAT 513 taken under the GNM can be transferred.

Students applying to the concurrent M.S. program are expected to have taken STAT 512, STAT 513, and the M.S. Theory Exam before their application to the M.S. program is considered.  Typically, only students whose main program is a terminal graduate degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) are considered for the concurrent Statistics M.S.

Details on the Components of an Application

Statement of purpose.

The Statement of Purpose is an opportunity to share information with the Admissions Committee that supplements and contextualizes your other application materials. The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written essay briefly discussing:

• Reasons you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Statistics
• Reasons you may have for applying to our program specifically
• Your preparation for the field of study in Statistics
• What area(s) of research interests you
• Any research experience you have actively participated in that has influenced your career choice
• Your career plans
• Any other information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and qualifications for graduate study in our department

The information in the Statement of Purpose should supplement rather than repeat the information that is in your resume / vitae and in your transcripts. The best Statements of Purpose tell a coherent story about who you are and who you want to be as a professional.

The recommended length for the Statement of Purpose is one to two pages.

Letters of recommendation

All applicants should arrange to have three letters of recommendation submitted online.  Letters of recommendation provide insight into abilities, strengths, and weaknesses that cannot be reflected in grades and test scores alone. You should select referees who know your work well and will write a frank and detailed letter of appraisal of you and of your likely success in our graduate statistics program. Letters that speak to your mathematical or statistical abilities, any special experience that you might have (in statistical applications, for example), or your potential for research are particularly welcome.

Choose the people who will write letters of recommendation for you with care and observe the protocols of courtesy by letting them know that you will submit their contact information with their permission.  Please also remember to inform your recommenders that the department's deadline to receive supplemental materials is the same as the application deadline.  After you submit their contact information, your referees will receive an email including the recommendation deadline, information pertaining to your right of access to view recommendations, and a link for submitting a recommendation.

Personal History Statement

The University of Washington is invested in recruiting a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. The Personal History Statement is an optional opportunity to provide additional context about your experiences as they relate to diversity, inclusion, and equity. For example, this statement might discuss your experience(s) as an individual from a traditionally underrepresented group in higher education; your perspective on issues related to diversity, inclusion, and equity; or any topics related to these themes. The Personal History Statement also provides an opportunity for you to discuss any personal hardships that you might have faced and overcome during your academic journey, to explain any aspect of your application that you might wish to elucidate, and to provide any additional details about your background and interests that might help the committee evaluate your application.

Please note that the Personal History Statement is not required. Also, the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose. The Admissions Committee understands that it might be hard to separate your personal history from other factors that might affect your career plans and/or research interests that you are expected to cover in the Statement of Purpose. When writing your statements, please keep in mind that the Committee will be reading both documents in parallel and will be using the information in them to understand you as a person, as well as the context of your application. The information in the Personal History Statement may also be used in aggregate to report to funding agencies and in applications for funding opportunities for eligible students.

The recommended length for the Personal History Statement is one page.

The department does not require the submission of any GRE test scores.  Scores in the GRE General Test are not used at all by our department in making admission decisions to our programs.  GRE Mathematics Subject Test scores are optional, and can be used by students to demonstrate a level of skill in mathematics that exceeds what could be inferred from other application materials.  However, not submitting GRE Mathematics Subject Test scores does not have a negative effect on an applicant's chances of being admitted into our graduate programs.

Official Transcripts

International applicants.

When you receive notification that you have been recommended for admission by our graduate program, you must then submit official transcripts and additional application materials to the Graduate School.  Please refer to the Official Transcript Requirements page for details.

Domestic Applicants

When you accept your formal offer of admission, you must then provide an official final degree transcript to the Graduate School.  Please refer to the Official Transcript Requirements page for details.

English Language Requirements

To be admitted into the program, all international and immigrant status applicants - including transfer applicants - whose native language is not English are required by the Graduate School to take the  Test of English as a Foreign Language  (TOEFL).  Please review the Graduate School's Policy 3.2  for more details about the UW's English language proficiency requirements.  Students who want to be considered for Teaching Assistantships (TA) also need to satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School's Policy 5.2 , which are more stringent than those for admission.

Recommendation: Each year, our program can only accept an extremely limited number of Ph.D. students who do not meet the TA eligibility requirements laid out in the Graduate School's Policy 5.2  at the time of their application. A minimum score of 26 on the speaking section of the TOEFL is one of them. Therefore, to enhance your prospects of admission, it is advisable to ensure TA eligibility before applying. We recommend that those planning to apply start preparing for the TOEFL test, especially the Speaking section, at least nine months prior to the Ph.D. admissions deadline. It's also suggested to complete the TOEFL test by July of the year you intend to apply.

Application Fee Waiver

The University of Washington can waive application fees under some circumstances .  Eligibility for this waiver is determined based on financial need or by participation in the McNair Scholars or PPIA Fellows program.  Unfortunately, applicants studying on F or J visas are not eligible for these application fee waivers.

Ph.D. applicants who do not qualify for a waiver from the university can request an application fee waiver from the Department of Statistics. An application fee waiver request should be submitted to the department at least (14) days before the posted application deadline. To apply for a Ph.D. application fee waiver, please submit your request to  [email protected] . The request should include a brief justification, a discussion of whether a waiver request was previously submitted to the university (and its outcome), and an unofficial transcript.  Your request will be reviewed by the Statistics Graduate Program. A notification will be sent to you via email.

If you have any further questions, or if you intend to visit the campus, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to meet with you and to answer your questions. The  Stat admissions FAQ  may answer some questions you have about the application process. Otherwise please address them to the following:

• Ph.D. inquiries –  [email protected]
• M.S. (full-time) inquiries –  [email protected]
• M.S. (part-time/concurrent) inquiries –  [email protected]

PhD Application Requirements

Thank you for your interest in our Ph.D Program. The application for admission for Fall 2025 will open in September. The application will close December 3, 2024.

We do not offer spring admissions.

The application process is entirely online. All supplemental materials such as your transcripts, the descriptive list of courses, publications and/or resumes should be uploaded as PDF files. Please do not mail copies of your transcripts, statement of purpose, letters of recommendations, TOEFL scores, resumes, or any other documents as they will not be included with your application.

Once you upload and submit supplemental material, you will not be able to update it so please make sure you are submitting the correct material. Due to the high volume of email during the admissions season, we are not able to update and replace already submitted material.

Required Materials

• Graduate Application
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Coursework List

GPA Calculation Worksheet

1. Submission of the Graduate Application 2. Application Fee Online 3. Unofficial Transcripts 4. Three Letters of Recommendation 5. Statement of Purpose 6. Personal Statement 7. C.V./Resume 8. TOEFL score (if applicable) 9. Descriptive List of Math & Statistics Courses 10. GPA Calculation Worksheet

The Fall 2024 PhD application and all required materials are due no later than December 4, 2023.

New: The GRE is no longer required and will not be accepted. Also, we do not require the Math subject test but if the scores are available you will have the option to submit as part of your application.

All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most Eurpoean countries, and non-English-speaking countries in Africa.

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a U.S. university, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must upload an official transcript from the U.S. University.

Applicants must receive a score of 570 on the written test. The computer-based TOEFL must have a minimum score of 230. The minimum score for Next Generation TOEFL (iBT) is 90. Take the TOEFL at least 30 days prior to the deadline. The institution code for Berkeley is 4833. There is no department code for the TOEFL.

For Fall 2022, tests taken before June 1, 2020 will not be accepted. Your most recent overall Band score must be at least  7  on a 9-point scale.

See more information on English Language Proficiency »

The department also requires that students upload a GPA calculation worksheet to their application. Please use the file linked below and upload as a PDF in your application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Prospective phd applicants.

A bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution . If you are in your final year of studies, and you expect to earn your degree by mid-August of the following year, you may apply. If you are admitted, you will be required to provide proof at that time that you have earned your bachelor's degree, usually in the form of a final official transcript.

If you attended a university that uses a 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) scale, a satisfactory scholastic average with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) is required. If you attended a university that does not use the 4.0 GPA scale, please do not try to convert your grades to the 4.0 scale for the application.

Background in mathematics, statistics, or a quantitative field

Statistics classes in particular are not necessary, however we look for mathematical and computational preparations at the undergraduate level to ensure that students are well-prepared for our graduate course sequence. Typically, this means good performance in real analysis or an equivalent class, or a similar level of mathematical preparation in another major such as physics. Students with superb computing skills or experience in applied statistics or data science are a plus and can pick up more mathematical skills after arrival if necessary.

Past research is overall a positive, but we also admit students based on other dimensions, such as academic excellence or strong letters of recommendation.

We welcome applicants with industry experience, especially if it has helped prepare you for your desired program of research.

The University does not allow applicants to apply to two departments simultaneously unless there is an established concurrent degree program between the two departments or schools ( http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/programs/concurrent.shtml ). Statistics does not have a concurrent degree program.

No, applicants may only apply to one program.

No, unfortunately, you must decide to which program you would like to be considered for.

No, we only admit students for the Fall semester.

We do not offer any part-time, evening or distance learning degree programs. All our degree programs are full-time.

We receive around 350 applications for admission to the PhD program each year and typically admit between 18-22 PhD students to achieve an incoming class of 10-12 PhD students.

For more information, please see the Graduate Division website for their policy on the Duplication of Degrees: http://grad.berkeley.edu/policy/admissions-policy/#b13-evaluation-of-applicants

No, this is not required. Instead, on the application, you will list faculty members who you would like to work with should you be admitted to our graduate program. You can view the list of all our faculty on our website.

Application Questions

Yes, you must submit an application fee by the application deadline for your application to be reviewed. The application fee is not refundable. Please view the Application Fee rates.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who can demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply for an application fee waiver. Please see the eligibility requirements and deadlines for Requesting an Application Fee Waiver .

For international applicants, we are pleased to offer a limited number of need based fee waivers each year to eligible applicants. The form to request a fee waiver is included in the payment section of the online application.

We do not use a GPA cutoff. Most successful applicants have a high GPA, especially in technical courses. However, lower GPAs can be overcome with exceptional recommendation letters, especially ones related to successful research experiences.

Yes. Applicants who received their undergraduate degree at an American university or college are required to list their cumulative GPA, major GPA (all courses completed in their major area of study), and advanced GPA (all course work excluding the first two years of study). If you attended a university that does not use the 4.0 system, please do not try and convert your grades to our system; just leave that section blank.

International transcripts and degree certificates that are in a language other than English must have an official English translation of the transcript uploaded to the application along with the original transcript. Translations should be prepared and issued by the school the student attended or an ATA certified translator.

No, unfortunately, you cannot submit a new transcript after you’ve submitted your application. If you are currently finishing your undergraduate degree, please upload the most current version of your transcript. The application will provide a space for you to list any additional courses that you are currently taking or plan to take in the future. The department will also reach out to you directly for an updated transcript if the committee is interested in seeing your Fall grades.

New: The general GRE is no longer required and will not be accepted.

We do not require the Math subject test but if the scores are available you may submit it as part of your application.

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a recognized U.S. institution, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must submit an official transcript from the recognized U.S. institution. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement:

courses in English as a second language courses conducted in a language other than English courses that will be completed after the application is submitted, and courses of nonacademic nature. For more information: http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admis_require.shtml#4_2

At times the online application has difficulty matching official test scores especially if your name does not match.

Unfortunately, due to the large volume of applications, we cannot confirm the receipt of scores. However, we will use your self-reported scores for the admissions review and, if admitted, we will match your official scores or contact you directly if we are unable to locate them.

Letters of recommendation are an important part of our overall evaluation. These can come from research mentors, instructors, or employers, but should speak to your intellectual maturity, creativity, and determination and drive. All letters or recommendation are due by the application deadline.

The online application will allow you to submit more than three letters of recommendation. However, due to the number of applications we receive, there is no guarantee that more than three letters will be read.

The system will allow recommenders to submit their letters after you have submitted your application and after the deadline. However, the review process begins immediately after the application deadline. If the admissions committee has already reviewed your application before your recommender has submitted their letter, it is not guaranteed that your application will be reviewed again. Therefore, it is highly advised that you contact recommenders well in advance of tthe application deadline to give them ample time to submit their letters by the deadline.

Yes, these help us assess your maturity and drive, to better understand your research interests and how they fit in with Berkeley faculty, and help provide additional context for holistically evaluating your application.

As part of the application, we require applicants to submit both the statement of purpose AND personal statement (also known as the personal history statement). For the statement of purpose, be concise; an ideal essay should say everything it needs to with brevity. Approximately 500 to 1000 well-selected words (1-2 single space pages in 12 point font) is better than more words with less clarity and poor organization. Personal statements are typically one page or shorter, though some are longer.

Please make sure to include courses and books for all statistics-relevant courses, including those in related areas (e.g. math, computer science). Since the course title by itself usually doesn’t convey much information, including the books used helps give us a better idea of what the courses contained. It helps to be complete and include all the information requested.

All applicants will be notified via email by the end of March.

We understand that Spring and Fall 2020 grades are less meaningful due to the wide variation in individual circumstances from the COVID-19 pandemic. We plan to take this into account when reviewing applications, but also encourage people to indicate in their personal statement if they had particular challenges that would have affected their academic performance. Since many institutions switched to pass/fail for that semester, we expect many grades will be on a pass/fail basis and will not penalize students who took a pass/fail option.

Flawless Statement Of Purpose For PhD: Samples & Tips

As an aspiring PhD student, you’ve probably heard it time and time again – your statement of purpose (SOP) is one of the most important elements of your application. In just a few short pages, the admissions committee needs to understand your research interests, fit for the program, and long-term career goals. It’s no small feat to efficiently and powerfully convey all this within the character limit restrictions. That’s why we are here to walk you through everything you need to know to create the perfect SOP and bolster your chances of admissions success. In this post, we’ll unpack the anatomy of a compelling SOP, including essential components and structure. We’ll also share statement of purpose for PhD samples from both real and fictional but effective essays to give you a sense of the different styles and tones you can take.Finally, we’ll provide my top writing and editing tips to help you put your best foot forward and craft the type of polished, punchy statement that makes admissions officers eager to admit you into their program. Let’s dive in and get started on building your application’s most pivotal piece.

Understand the purpose

A statement of purpose for a PhD program is more than just a formal requirement for the application process; it is a critical component that helps the admission committee understand your academic journey, your research interests, and your fit into the program. The SOP serves a dual purpose- it demonstrates your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely, reflecting your communication skills, and it outlines your intellectual curiosity and dedication to your field of study. The committee uses the SOP to gauge whether your research interests align with those of the faculty, whether you have the potential to contribute significantly to the field, and whether you have the resilience and dedication to withstand the rigors of a PhD program. Essentially, the SOP is your opportunity to convince the committee that you are a compatible candidate for the program and that you have the ambition, curiosity, and academic prowess to succeed.

What your statement of purpose should not do

While your statement of purpose should provide a comprehensive picture of your academic journey, it should not merely rehash what can already be found on your resume or CV. The resume primarily lists your qualifications, the courses you’ve taken, the projects you’ve completed, and the positions you’ve held. Simply repeating these details in your statement does not add any value to your application and can be redundant.

As demonstrated in the statement of purpose for PhD samples below, the aim of the essay is to provide context, explain the motivations behind your academic and professional decisions, and to outline your future research goals and aspirations. Rehashing your resume wastes valuable space that could be used to highlight your research interests, demonstrate your analytical thinking, and elucidate your understanding of the academic field. Moreover, it reflects a lack of creativity and an inability to think critically, traits that are extremely important for a successful PhD candidate. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that your SOP goes beyond your resume, offering a deeper insight into your intellectual journey and your commitment to your chosen field of study.

Here is an illustration of how your statement of purpose can provide a comprehensive account of your academic journey without simply echoing your resume or CV:

“As an undergraduate, I was drawn to the complexities and intricacies of molecular biology, a fascination that was kindled during my sophomore year project on DNA replication. This wasn’t simply a course requirement for me, but a thrilling dive into the minuscule yet mighty world of cells and DNA. The project led me to identify my research interest and, subsequently, to choose an internship in a lab specializing in gene editing techniques. This experience allowed me to work with renowned professionals and gain hands-on experience, igniting a desire to contribute meaningfully to this field. My decision to apply for a PhD program in molecular biology stems from this inquisitiveness and the profound desire to delve deeper into the mysteries of genetic codes. If granted the opportunity, my aim is to focus on gene therapy research to combat genetic disorders, a pursuit that I believe can change countless lives. This is not merely an academic endeavor for me; it is my commitment to contribute to a field that holds immense potential for human health.”

Know your audience

Understanding your audience is central to crafting a compelling statement of purpose for a PhD program. When preparing your SOP, consider the specifics of the program and department you’re applying to — what are their research focus areas, what methodologies do they frequently employ, who are the key faculty members, and what are their contributions to the field? Incorporating these details into your SOP will demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely interested in the program.

It’s not about pandering to the department; rather, it’s about showing that you’ve taken the time to understand their objectives and that you see a genuine alignment between their work and your research interests. For instance, if the department is known for its focus on quantitative methods, you might want to highlight your experience with these methods and how you plan to utilize them in your research. Similarly, if a faculty member in the department is doing groundbreaking work in your area of interest, mentioning this work and how it aligns with your research goals could work in your favor.

Remember, the SOP is not just about selling your skills and achievements; it’s about weaving a narrative that shows a deep understanding of the program, a clear vision of your research journey, and a firm belief in your compatibility with the department’s goals and values. Among the statement of purpose for PhD samples provided in this blog post, the following one demonstrates how to do just that:

“As an aspiring PhD candidate, I am drawn to the University of XYZ’s Department of Neuroscience due to its renowned focus on neurodegenerative diseases. I have a particular interest in the methodologies that Dr. Jane Doe employs in her groundbreaking research on Parkinson’s disease. Having utilized quantitative methods extensively during my master’s thesis, I plan to further refine these skills to contribute to this field’s evolving discourse. I am particularly impressed by the department’s innovative approach to integrating molecular biology and computational modeling . This aligns closely with my own vision of utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the complexities of neurodegenerative disorders. My past research endeavors along with my desire to delve deeper into this particular field have equipped me with a unique perspective and a steadfast determination. I firmly believe that the application of my skills and the alignment of our research interests will significantly contribute to the department’s ongoing projects and overarching goals.”

Focus on your research experience

In your statement of purpose, the articulation of past experiences forms a pivotal part. It lays a foundational layer that demonstrates your abilities, commitment, and growth. Each experience that you narrate should be a reflection of your intellectual curiosity, research acumen, and dedication to your chosen field.

This does not mean that you just sequentially list your experiences. Instead, it is essential to focus on those that had a significant impact on your academic journey or shaped your research interests. Discuss your learnings, illustrate how challenges were addressed and remember to underline your contribution to each experience shared.

The idea is to paint a picture of your capabilities, showcasing not just your technical skills, but also your problem-solving ability, perseverance, and team spirit. When an admissions committee member reads your SOP, they should not only grasp your past experiences but also see your potential to effect meaningful change in the future.

As such, your SOP should be a blend of your present and future – a snapshot of who you have been, who you are, and who you aspire to become. Therefore, invest the time to reflect, compose, and meticulously proofread your SOP, as it serves as a powerful tool that can impress the admissions committee, setting you apart from other candidates.

“During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to be a part of a research team working on nano-sensor technology. This experience ignited my passion for nanotechnology and sensor systems, as I found the potential of these technologies in addressing some of the pressing environmental issues remarkable. I contributed to this project by identifying a novel approach for enhancing the sensor’s sensitivity, which was an outcome of my methodical problem-solving approach and rigorous testing. This experience was not without its challenges, and it was during these trying times that my perseverance shone through. There were instances when our team hit roadblocks, but we resolved them collaboratively, highlighting my ability to work effectively in a team. The knowledge and skills that I gained from this experience have significantly influenced my academic path and future aspirations. Now, I aim to delve deeper into this domain in my graduate studies, with the ultimate goal of developing innovative solutions for environmental challenges. I believe that my dedication, combined with my problem-solving skills and team spirit, will enable me to contribute significantly to the ongoing projects at your esteemed institution.”

Highlight your research interests

As shown in the statement of purpose for PhD samples below, general statements about being interested in a broad field, such as ‘molecular biology’ or ‘international relations,’ will not make you stand out. Instead, delve into the intricate aspects of your area of interest, demonstrating your profound understanding and passion for the subject.

For instance, if your research interest lies in the domain of molecular biology, you might specify that you are particularly intrigued by the role of microRNAs in gene regulation and its implications for cancer treatment. If international relations is your field, you might express a keen interest in the interplay of economic sanctions and nuclear disarmament, using specific case studies such as North Korea or Iran.

Back your assertions with evidence of your knowledge and skills – refer to relevant research you’ve done, courses you’ve taken, or seminal literature you’ve read. Tying your research interests to current debates and pressing issues in the field will further underscore your commitment and preparedness for PhD-level work. You also need to mention potential research questions you wish to explore, thereby showcasing your ability to conceptualize and execute research.

Remember, your research interests are the cornerstone of your PhD journey, and the statement of purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate that these interests are informed, well-articulated, and aligned with the department’s expertise.

“My fascination with molecular biology is deeply rooted in the complex world of microRNAs and their potential in gene regulation. I am particularly captivated by the implications this has for cancer treatment, a connection I have explored in my undergraduate research examining the role of microRNA-155 in breast cancer progression. This research, coupled with my advanced coursework in cellular biology and genetics, has equipped me with a robust understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving disease. Furthermore, my keen interest extends to pressing debates in the field, as I am actively engaged in studying the potential of microRNAs as therapeutic targets. Looking forward, I wish to delve deeper into this area during my PhD, with an initial research question centered around understanding the differential expression patterns of microRNAs in various cancer types. I am confident that the department’s expertise in molecular biology, notably the groundbreaking work on microRNA-based therapies, aligns perfectly with my research interests, and I am excited about the possibility of contributing to this pioneering field.”

Emphasize your motivation

Your motivation is the driving force behind your aspiration to pursue a PhD, and it is crucial to articulate this effectively in your statement of purpose . It is not enough to merely state that you are passionate about your subject; you need to demonstrate your commitment and dedication through tangible examples and anecdotes.

For instance, you might talk about a seminal moment or experience that sparked your interest in the field – perhaps a particular course you took or a paper you read that opened up a new perspective. You might recount how you pursued this interest, undertaking independent reading, engaging in research projects, or seeking out mentors in your field. You might discuss how these experiences fueled your passion further, inciting an insatiable curiosity and a determination to contribute to the field.

Convey how your subject has influenced your worldview, shaped your career goals, and ingrained a sense of purpose and direction in your life. This passion should seep into every facet of your statement of purpose, presenting a compelling narrative that resonates with the admissions committee. Ultimately, your motivation should underscore your willingness to embrace the rigors of a PhD program, your readiness to delve deeper into your field, and your ambition to make a profound impact on it.

“My fascination with neurobiology was truly sparked when I took an introductory course in my sophomore year of undergraduate studies. The intricate workings of the human brain and how it influences behavior captivated me. I sought to dive deeper into this subject, undertaking independent reading beyond the scope of my coursework. I also volunteered for a research project under the guidance of a respected professor in the field. This hands-on experience introduced me to the thrill of discovery and the satisfaction of contributing to scientific knowledge. These experiences reinforced my passion for neurobiology, instilling an insatiable curiosity and a determination to delve deeper. Today, this subject has evolved from merely an academic interest to a defining aspect of my life, shaping my career aspirations and directing my purpose. My motivation to pursue a PhD stems from this profound desire to deepen my understanding, participate in groundbreaking research, and ultimately contribute significantly to our understanding of the human brain.”

Discuss your qualifications

Your qualifications form a significant part of your application and should be highlighted effectively in your statement of purpose. Start by discussing your academic background, emphasizing the relevance of your degrees, courses, and thesis projects to your proposed area of study.

For example, if you’re applying for a PhD in psychology, you might mention your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the same field, the psychology courses you’ve mastered, and the dissertation you’ve completed on a related topic.

Next, delve into relevant work experiences, internships, or research projects you’ve partaken in, explaining the insights and skills you’ve gleaned from these opportunities. Be specific about your roles and responsibilities, the methodologies you’ve used, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the results you’ve achieved.

Remember, each aspect of your qualifications should align with your research interests and underscore your readiness for the PhD program.

Show how you can contribute

In the conclusion of your statement of purpose, it’s essential to clearly articulate how you can contribute to the PhD program and the broader academic community. This involves showing how your unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and aspirations can enrich the learning environment, push the boundaries of your field, and address pertinent societal issues.

For example, you might highlight how your innovative research methodology can fill existing gaps in knowledge, how your commitment to mentorship can foster a supportive academic culture, or how your interdisciplinary approach can facilitate collaborations and yield groundbreaking insights.

Be sure to also touch on your long-term career goals, such as becoming a professor, a policy-maker, or a consultant, and explain how these align with the objectives of the PhD program and the institution’s mission. This gives the admissions committee a clear vision of your future trajectory and reassures them of your determination and potential to succeed.

Remember, your conclusion is your final chance to leave a lasting impression, so ensure it’s compelling, coherent, and reflective of your passion, readiness, and potential to excel in the PhD program.

“To conclude, I am keen to join your esteemed PhD program as I see it as a platform where my experiences, skills, and aspirations can have a significant impact. With my in-depth background in environmental science and a passion for data analytics, I intend to explore innovative methodologies that address the pressing issue of climate change. This interdisciplinary approach, I believe, can fill gaps in current research and provide novel insights that could potentially lead to impactful solutions. I am equally committed to fostering a supportive academic culture through active mentorship in the X program, leveraging my experience as a TA during my master’s in Y activities. Looking ahead, my ultimate career goal is to work as a policy consultant, leveraging research to shape powerful environmental policies. I am confident that this aligns with the mission of your institution and the objectives of the PhD program. In summary, I am eager to contribute to the academic community and believe that with my passion, readiness, and potential, I will be a valuable addition to your program.”

Express clearly and concisely

As demonstrated in the statement of purpose for PhD samples above, writing an essay that is clear and concise necessitates a logical structure and a succinct, yet compelling language.

Use simple, direct language, focusing on precision and clarity. Be mindful of wordiness and redundancy, as these can dilute your message and confuse the reader. It’s crucial to use strong, active verbs and to avoid jargon, ensuring that your SOP is accessible and engaging. Breaking down complex ideas into simpler terms not only demonstrates your understanding of the subject but also makes your SOP easier to read.

Each paragraph should flow seamlessly into the next, maintaining a logical progression of ideas. Providing relevant examples and conveying them succinctly can further enhance the clarity and impact of your SOP. Moreover, a well-structured, concise SOP reflects your ability to communicate effectively, a skill integral to any academic pursuit. Whether you’re describing your research interests, academic achievements, or future plans, make every word count.

Remember, your goal is to convince the admissions committee that you are a promising candidate who will contribute positively to their program.

Show, don’t just tell

One of the most persuasive techniques in writing a compelling SOP is to employ a ‘show, don’t tell’ approach. This involves illustrating your claims with vivid examples and stories that demonstrate your qualifications and passion, rather than merely stating them.

For instance, instead of claiming that you have strong research skills, you might describe a complex project that you successfully managed, explaining the strategies you used and the challenges you overcame. You could bring your academic interests to life by detailing the precise moment when you realized your passion for your field of study, whether it was a fascinating lecture, a thought-provoking book, or a groundbreaking research paper.

You can also substantiate your career aspirations by recounting relevant experiences, such as internships, workshops, or leadership roles, that shaped your career goals and prepared you for the future. These narratives not only provide concrete evidence of your attributes but also make your SOP more engaging and memorable.

Be sure to use vibrant language to paint a clear picture and evoke emotions, making your experiences resonate with the reader. Incorporating a personal touch — your unique perspective, insights, or reflections — can give your SOP a distinct voice that stands apart from others.

Through compelling storytelling, you can transform your SOP into a captivating narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Warning: The purpose of statement of purpose for PhD samples

When it comes to crafting an impactful statement of purpose, samples can serve as invaluable tools. They offer a glimpse into the structure, content, and tone expected in a well-curated SOP. More than mere templates to be copied, statement of purpose for PhD samples should be viewed as guides for understanding how to articulate your academic and career aspirations effectively. They showcase successful attempts at conveying passion for a field, highlighting academic achievements, and outlining future goals within the constraints of a limited word count.

Despite the benefits of statement of purpose for PhD samples, it’s critical to remember that each SOP is unique and personal. Simply copying a sample would undermine the primary purpose of the SOP: to provide a distinct and authentic narrative of your journey and aspirations. The correct way to utilize these statement of purpose for PhD samples is by analyzing the writing strategies used, deriving inspiration, and then creating an original piece of work that reflects the applicant’s unique story. This approach ensures that the SOP not only meets the formal requirements set forth by the academic institution but also captures the individuality of the applicant, thus making a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

The high stakes of your statement of purpose

Your SOP is much more than a mere component of your application; it is a crucial determinant of your acceptance. This document breathes life into your application, rendering a vivid picture of your past, present, and future aspirations to the admissions committee. Its weight is such that a well-crafted SOP can elevate an otherwise average application, while a poorly constructed one can diminish the impact of an exceptional academic record.

Think of it as a double-edged sword, capable of either bolstering your chances of admission or, alternatively, significantly undermining them. The smallest of errors — be it a grammatical faux pas, a lack of coherence, or a failure to aptly convey your passion — can be detrimental, casting doubt on your abilities and commitment.

On the other hand, a compelling, polished SOP that succinctly encapsulates your journey, goals, and potential can resonate profoundly with the committee, positioning you as a desirable candidate. The stakes, then, are undeniably high. It’s a daunting task to undertake alone, and the margin for error is slim. Assessing your work objectively can be challenging, and subtle nuances may escape your notice. Seeking feedback in this critical endeavor may prove invaluable in ensuring your SOP is not just good, but exceptional.

Let’s recap. As demonstrated through our statement of purpose for your PhD samples, the SOP is one of the most important elements of the application process and needs to distinctly capture your research interests, fit for the program and future aspirations in its few pages. We have provided you with helpful information about components and structure, given real samples to emulate, and shared tips on writing and editing to ensure you submit a top-notch statement that will leave a favorable impression. Now that you know how to write an effective SOP for your PhD application confidently, what are you waiting for? Put your newfound knowledge into action and get started on creating an outstanding SOP that truly speaks for itself. And if you find yourself struggling or needing a bit of guidance along this journey, we offer statement of purpose services – whether it be helping you write your SOP from scratch or providing personalized feedback. Make sure to check them out!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s and Ph.D. programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

Elevate your grad school application—join the Grad Pathway Hub today for exclusive forums, tutorials, templates, workshops, and all the tools you need to succeed! Follow me on YouTube for tips and tricks on navigating the grad school application process .

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A Biostatistics PhD Application Notebook [with Statement of Purpose]

Katherine Hoffman

August 14, 2023

A minor life update – I applied to Biostatistics PhD programs last fall! And, a major life update– I’m moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington (UW)’s program next month . I’m super excited (and nervous) to begin. Since applications are opening up for next year, I thought I’d share what the process of deciding to apply, actually applying, and deciding on a program was like for me.

Background and FAQs

I was in a somewhat uncommon situation when I applied in Fall 2022 for Fall 2023 matriculation to Biostatistics PhD programs. I received my MS in Biostatistics in 2018 and have been working in academic medical research since. Because of this, I had many academic biostatistician colleagues and friends to consult about my application. Since not everyone has this opportunity, I thought I’d pass on what was told to me, especially the advice I was given on writing my statement of purpose (SOP). I found the SOP advice so helpful that I’ve publicly shared mine in this Google Doc and added advice I received in the comments.

I am by no means an expert at what biostatistics graduate programs are looking for, and this is not a comprehensive post on applying to (biostatistics) graduate school. For more general information, I recommend Lucy Lai ’s post on applying to graduate programs. Other excellent posts with detailed information about the biostatistics application process include those by Simon Couch and Daniel Posmik . Nonetheless, perhaps some of you might find my experience useful, or you might be able to pass it on to a future applicant who will find it useful!

Do you need a PhD to be successful in biostatistics?

A question I’m frequently asked from students and early-career biostatisticians is whether I feel a PhD is necessary because of a “ceiling” in biostatistics. My answer was and still is: a PhD is absolutely not necessary. In fact, for a while, I was resistant to the idea of pursuing one. It’s a huge financial and personal commitment, and it’s worth carefully examining whether it’s the right decision for you, now or ever.

I wholeheartedly believe I could have been fulfilled intellectually and financially in Masters-level statistician/data science jobs forever. There are many interesting roles in both industry and academic research. Some are heavily programming related, some are much more statistics-heavy, and other roles involve supervision/management as the primary form of career progression. A (bio)statistics degree is extremely versatile because you can pivot to areas such as data engineering, software writing, data reporting/querying/interpreting, and more. There have been multiple times over the past five years that I’ve seriously considered trying out data journalism and/or data visualization roles.

However, I really love studying and teaching causal inference and statistics. Beginning around Spring 2022, I had a nagging feeling that it might be the right time in my life to deeply learn many concepts I’ve struggled to learn for years without formal coursework and training. I wanted to learn these concepts not because I particularly want to develop new methods as an academic researcher, or to make lots of money in industry, but rather because I see huge gaps in the statistical and epidemiological methods which are available and what are actually being used in applied research. I know I will feel fulfilled the rest of my career if I can work on improving these gaps, either through education, scientific communication, or mentorship.

Should you take time off before starting your PhD?

The other questions I’ve been asked are (1) whether it was intentional to take “so much time” off and/or (2) whether I’m glad I waited to go back for my PhD. My answer to the first question is that, no, it wasn’t intentional, because five years ago I was not planning to get a PhD. The second question is somewhat difficult to answer before I start my program (it might be really hard to go back to school, I have no idea!), but at the moment, I am super happy I took a break between finishing the MS and starting the PhD. I had plenty of time to narrow and pursue my interests without any pressure and while making good money. I also had the chance to learn work-life balance, which I wasn’t great at until a few years ago. I was able to build up my application through an abundance of research and teaching opportunities, and this allowed me to be a far more competitive applicant than I would’ve been out of my MS. Finally, I learned a lot about myself! I feel so much more emotionally mature and resilient than I was five years ago.

The Application Process

I’ll try to be as honest as possible about my personal experience in applying. I hope none of the information I provide deters anyone from applying to any schools because they have a different background than me. I’ve been working full-time for five years, so I necessarily have a different background than someone applying during their undergraduate or Masters degree. However, PhD programs accept many, many students directly out of undergraduate and Masters programs, so my successes and failures should not be considered to be predictive of someone else’s.

Assessing which schools to apply to

I gauged my competitiveness for applying to PhD programs by asking biostatistics faculty I knew from working in the field and/or who taught me during my MS. I also searched Reddit for relevant content ( r/biostatistics ) and used Gradcafe . (Be wary of anonymous forums on the internet, though!)

From these sources, I gathered that my strengths were probably:

• having a MS in Biostatistics already
• five years of full-time work as a biostatistical consultant
• experience as the lead data analyst/statistician on many applied projects
• leading some of my own research papers
• participating in statistical methodology papers

I decided the main weakness of my application would be my lack of mathematics background. Even though I had good grades in my Biostatistics MS program, I had only the minimum math requirements to apply to that program originally (Calc I-III and linear algebra), and my Calc III and linear algebra grades were mediocre, albeit from 10 years ago.

Of note, when I read posts on GradCafe, the general consensus was that U.S. citizens (which I am) have a higher chance of being admitted to programs in the U.S. I don’t have much insight on this, but I think it depends program-to-program and has to do with funding opportunities. There are many government sponsored funding opportunities which are unfortunately only available to domestic students. This is also program-dependent, but oftentimes there are also many more international applicants, making it inherently more competitive to be an international applicant.

In the end, I applied to eight schools: two schools in New York City (where I currently live) and six other schools which are consistently considered to be top programs for biostatistics. Although I’m well-aware that rankings are imperfect measures of the quality of programs and there are many excellent biostatistics programs that are not top-ranked, I also knew I would only consider leaving NYC and my full-time salary for a few opportunities.

Application organization

I kept track of all my applications and notes on a Notion page. I made several tables with information about each school’s requirements and created to-do lists for various tasks (e.g. send transcripts). I also wrote out my letter of recommendation (LOR) writers’ names, emails, and titles so that I would have an easier time copying and pasting.

Application Components

Transcripts.

All the schools I applied to required me to submit unofficial transcripts and then manually enter all relevant (science, math, statistics, etc.) coursework into their own application system. I had to enter the course name, course number, number of credits, semester I took it, and grade for each course. This is super time consuming, and I recommend beginning to work on this as soon as applications open. Many of the application portals were glitchy, and this would have been hard to complete at the last minute.

My GRE scores expired a few years back, but thankfully all the schools I applied to haven’t required them since the pandemic, so I didn’t retake the test. Of note, a few schools said they required them on their website, but did not actually when I inquired with admissions. For one school I only had to self-report my old scores.

Letters of Recommendation

All schools required three LORs, and most accepted up to four or five. The people I asked to write my LORs were:

A long-time colleague and mentor who could speak to my research potential for both methods and applied work. They are mid-career and known within the field of causal inference statistical estimation methods, which is what I want to continue studying.

A long-time physician collaborator who I’d also worked with on applied projects for 4 years who could talk about my skill set in applied projects.

My current boss, an academic epidemiologist with strong training in statistical methods. At the time I’d only worked with them for a few months, but they seemed comfortable writing about my scientific potential.

(Extra letter) My former professor 1 from my applied capstone course during my MS. They are late-career and well-known within the field of biostatistics. They confirmed they could speak to my discipline and aptitude for completing coursework.

1  Some schools explicitly request a LOR from a former professor.

I think this is general LOR advice, but I only asked individuals who I was pretty sure would write strong letters on my behalf. I tried to strike a balance in people who were recognizable names within the field of biostatistics and who worked with me enough to write about me. Remember to ask your letter-writers early, as well as register early with the schools’ application systems so the writers have plenty of time to upload their letters.

Curriculum Vitae

All of the schools required me to submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) document. This is the version I submitted for applications. Depending on your background, sections will look different. I recommend having someone within academia, preferably (bio)statistics or related, review your CV. If you are a student, you should also take advantage of your university’s career center resources to review.

Additional feedback I received for this which may be relevant to someone else:

List out all details/roles for classes you served as Teaching Assistant.

List out blog posts under “Scientific Communication” and try to illustrate their impact. I’ve been blogging for years and have a Google Analytics attached to my site, so I was told to add the number of views.

The Statement of Purpose (SOP)

This was by far the hardest part of the application for me! There’s a lot of opinions surrounding the statement of purpose for Biostatistics PhDs, from, “it’s very important and the only way to set yourself apart to the application committee,” to, “nobody reads it and it won’t affect your application.” I opted to believe the first set of opinions and took my SOP seriously.

I received a lot of advice on my statement. The most helpful piece of advice I received was that the SOP is not about highlighting qualifications – that’s what the CV does – and qualifications alone do not equate to success in academia. You need drive and motivation, and your SOP is the chance to show that you have it. It is more about your philosophy and research goals than stating what you’ve done so far. Every time you bring up an accomplishment, you should explain to the committee exactly why that’s relevant to your overall goal of pursuing a PhD in biostatistics. If something is not directly relevant to why you want to pursue a PhD or why you’ll be a successful researcher, you should not include it.

I ended up receiving so much advice for this that I decided to publicly post my UW SOP on a Google Doc with comments. Some other resources I found helpful include these California State Example Essays and Lucy Lai’s Personal Statement for her Neuroscience PhD applications . These tweet threads were also useful:

Writing a statement of purpose (SOP) for PhD admissions – please do not make me read another “as a kid, when I looked at the sky…” a thread. — Hadas Kress-Gazit ( @HadasKressGazit ) November 15, 2021

Every year I read a lot of grad school applications from accomplished people that don't give me the info I'm looking for. It feels like a major hidden curriculum thing. So here's (my opinion on) how to write a great Statement of Purpose/Research for a PhD program. 🧵 1/ — Roman Feiman ( @RomanFeiman ) October 27, 2022

If you take only one thing away from my SOP advice: start writing your SOP early and ask at least one person who has served on an academic application committee, preferably for Biostatistics PhDs, to read your draft to make sure you’re on the right track . This is the easiest part of your application to control!

The Personal Statement

Only a few schools required this, and the prompts were related to why your background uniquely adds to your scientific potential. This statement is, of course, very personal to your own background! I wrote about how growing up in a rural Midwest town with my family in blue-collar jobs shaped my understanding of public health and access to education. I also wrote about my work and volunteer experience in low income areas and with underrepresented groups, and how my motivations for improving diversity in the field are driven by my experiences as an underrepresented gender in STEM. This will obviously look very different for any given applicant. I am not posting my personal statement publicly, but if you have a reason you think it’d be helpful to see my personal statement, please email me.

Application Fees

Almost every school had an $80-130 application fee, paid upon the time of submitting. Make sure to reach out to schools if you have any justification for receiving a fee waiver!

Pre Application Review Service (PARS)

I sent all my application materials in November to UW’s Pre Application Review Service (PARS) for review by current students. This is an excellent service available to underrepresented genders and minority groups. Not only was I able to get feedback on my application, but I made connections with a statistics PhD student who reviewed my application and a biostatistics PhD student who he subsequently introduced me to via email.

Our department is offering a pre-application review service (PARS) initiative to provide support and mentorship to PhD applicants from historically marginalized groups. See details here: https://t.co/0evhEigqrm pic.twitter.com/xZ0B8LA8Gt — UW Statistics ( @UWStat ) September 27, 2022

Interviews and visit days

Applications were due December 1, and I began hearing about interviews the first week of December. My first interview was mid-December (a virtual half-day). The first in-person interview was in mid-January. My last interview was late February (virtual) and in-person visit days for admitted students continued through early April. All in-person visits except for one school were fully funded. I did not attend the unfunded visit day.

I found the interviews stressful to plan around because each was announced only a few weeks before the day(s) of the interview. I had a lot of anxiety leading up to each interview, however, the questions themselves were easy to answer (with the caveat that I’ve done many interviews and interviewed several biostatistician job candidates over the years, so I had an idea of what to expect). The questions I received were generally along the lines of:

• Tell me about why you want to do a PhD. Why do you think you need it? What are you hoping to accomplish during and after your PhD?
• Why [this school]? Why [city the school is located in]?
• Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate with others to get a project done.
• What questions do you have about our program or [location of the school]?

For many of my answers, I reiterated (sometimes verbatim) sentences from my statement of purpose. I also brought up different research projects I’d done over the years, depending on where the conversation went. The people interviewing you are, above all, trying to assess your fit with the program. I know it is easier said than done, but my takeaway was that it was best to just let the conversation flow. The interviews were usually 30 minutes long, so make sure you have lots of questions prepared for when the interviewer flips the question-asking to you. If you run out of questions about the program, start asking the interviewer about their research or what their favorite things to do are around the university.

Despite the interview questions feeling straightforward to me, the days were EXHAUSTING, both physically and mentally. You essentially have 8am-9pm day(s) with other applicants, students, and faculty, and you have to be “on” the entire day. This experience can be really overwhelming, so go easy on yourself. I recommend writing notes down after each interview day/visit – I kept a long running note on my phone.

Decision time

Of the eight schools I applied to, I interviewed at five and was accepted to five. 2 My acceptances and rejections didn’t make a ton of sense to me either way, meaning I was surprised to receive certain acceptances while also receiving rejections from schools I thought I may have a higher chance of getting into. This supported a phrase I heard a lot, “PhD admissions are a bit of a black box.” There are many qualified applicants, and it is hard to discern between applicants by a CV, transcript, and a statement of purpose. Different application committee members will have biases in what they’re looking for (e.g. strong mathematics background vs. research experience) and it’s best not to dwell too much on any particular outcome.

2  If you are applying and think it would be helpful to know which schools I applied to and/or what my experiences were at each, please email me.

It was a difficult decision for me to choose between programs. I was extremely torn over the idea of leaving the community I have in NYC. However, I could not shake the feeling that my visit to UW had felt overwhelmingly “right.” After a lot of pro-con lists, I decided to go with this gut feeling.

The major choices which affected my decision were location, overall fit of the program/coursework, current students’ relationships within and between cohorts, perceived work-life balance of students and faculty, funding/teaching/research requirements, stipend amount, and number of faculty working on what I wanted to work on (non-parametric causal inference). After I finished my visit days, I set follow-up meetings with professors and the graduate program directors from multiple schools to make sure I understood my options correctly. I made my decision to attend UW at the end of March, about two weeks before the April 15th decision deadline.

Miscellaneous notes

A few miscellaneous details I learned and thoughts I had throughout the application process:

Admission rates

I found it difficult to find admission rates online, but the numbers given at some of my interview/admit days (if I remember correctly) were approximately :

• 250 or so applicants
• 15-25 interview spots
• 7-20 spots in the cohort offered

The final number of spots in the cohort and process for obtaining that number varied quite a bit by school. A few schools ranked candidates and could only offer a spot to the top 6-7 candidates. Once someone rejected their offer, they moved down the list to offer the next candidate. Other schools accepted a large (~20) number of applicants with the expectation that only a certain percentage would accept their offer. Finally, at least one school I applied to could only offer a fixed number of spots (12), and could not re-offer to another applicant if someone turned down their offer. That school was careful to only give offers to those they really thought might attend.

Most Biostatistics PhD programs will only admit students if they know they can fund them, i.e. pay for tuition and a stipend, for 4-6 years. For the programs I was admitted to, the stipend offers ranged from $36-46,000 per year, pre-tax. A PhD stipend is often described as “enough to live, but not enough to save,” although this will obviously vary by the city’s cost-of-living and the student’s personal financial situation.

I said earlier that a PhD is a huge financial commitment, and the stipend is the main reason why. Even though the amount of money might seem like a lot (it did to me when I was going through my MS degree!), the time you’ll spend earning your PhD is undoubtedly a short-term loss of potential earnings. If you have a strong quantitative background (as most Biostatistics PhD applicants do), a conservative estimate is that this loss could accumulate to over $400,000 in pre-tax income. 3 This estimate is not accounting for the compounding interest you will miss out on in retirement savings (assuming you would put money towards retirement if working full-time). Although the earning potential is higher with a PhD than with an MS, it will still take some time to counteract the short-term loss.

3  My calculation for this is (potential salary - stipend) * expected years in PhD.

On that note, if you have multiple funded offers, it is worth asking each program what their policies are regarding internships, part-time work, and freelance consulting work, because all of these are supplemental sources of income. Are any of these types of work allowed or encouraged, and does participating in them affect the stipend amount you receive (beyond potential differences in tax brackets)? The answers vary by program, and sometimes even by student due to differences in funding sources.

[Edit August 2024] Tidbits on funding I learned about funding after beginning my PhD program:

I learned in some cases you can actually negotiate your offer with schools if you have other offers! I have no advice to offer on this, only that I’ve heard it is possible.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Student Research Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for U.S. citizens to secure their own funding prior to beginning a PhD program. If you’re returning to school after prior time in graduate school, like I was, you can only apply for the scholarship before beginning your PhD program. The deadline is in October. If you’d like to apply, Simon Couch wrote a blog post about his experience. One of my classmates came into UW with this fellowship.

Another opportunity for U.S. students is to apply for a National Institutes of Health F31 Fellowship. This is another way to secure your own funding, and there is no limit on the number of years of prior schooling to apply.

Reaching out to professors in advance

I did not email any professors before applying, so I unfortunately don’t have much to share on this topic. I doubt it would’ve helped me get into any additional programs, but who knows! It definitely has the potential to be informative and a good networking experience. Lucy Lai includes a template for reaching out to professors in her blog post , as does John Muschelli in his post, “Some things I wish I knew about Grad School” .

Looking ahead, preparing for my PhD coursework

UW is on the quarter system, so I’ll start classes with a cohort of eight other students at the end of September. This summer I’ve been working, enjoying life sans homework, and trying to remember all the math I’ve forgotten over the years.

I’m refreshing myself on linear algebra using a combination of Khan Academy (I love Sal’s visualizations – I listen on 1.5-2x speed and slow down when he says something that I don’t understand) and Linear Algebra Done Right by Sheldon Axler. The latter is a small textbook which is meant to be a second learning of linear algebra (it’s quite abstract compared to the usual sequence of teaching the subject). This Github repo with solutions to Axler’s exercises is also helpful. I am also brushing up calculus using a mix of Khan Academy, random YouTube videos, and the textbook Advanced Calculus by Patrick M. Fitzpatrick. This is what I wish I would’ve done before starting my MS degree. 🙂

If you’d like to know more about what my work looked like as an applied biostatistician in medical research, please see my Day in the Life of a Biostatistician post. I answer common email questions stemming from that post in this Follow-up post . As always, feel free to email me with questions, clarifications, or suggestions for additional resources to include.

Until next time!

Acknowledgments Deciding to start a PhD program was a huge decision for me, and I am grateful to so many for encouragement and advice over the years. Thank you to my colleague Iván Díaz , who has taught me an enormous amount over the past five years and who has been instrumental in my development as a researcher. Thank you also to my former professors, especially Tom Braun for convincing me not to drop out of my Biostatistics MS program during my first semester :), and Bhramar Mukherjee for consistently vocalizing her belief in my potential. Finally, thank you to Elizabeth Sweeney , Sam Adhikari , David Lenis , Kara Rudolph , Alejandro Schuler , and Seth Temple for helpful conversations which contributed in various ways to information I’ve shared in this post.

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• Statement of Purpose, Personal History, Diversity

SOP for PhD In Statistics

• statement of purpose
• uc berkeley

By Dario July 12, 2017 in Statement of Purpose, Personal History, Diversity

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I did a Masters in Berkeley in Statistics, fell in love with it, and am now applying for a PhD in Statistics. Would anyone be willing to read over my statement of purpose? 

What follows is my first draft, and I'm really not sure how to feel about it, so any comments are appreciated.

Notes / Questions are in  italic font.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since I can remember people told me that the only people that amount to something are “practical” people: engineers and the likes. I did not, and still do not, want to accept that premise. Because I am about as clumsy as a Panda bear. And because my passion lies in Statistics.

As the first of my family to go to College I felt bad for the financial burden I put on us, so I gave in to the pressure. I studied Industrial Engineering and had my life cut out for me: Finish my Bachelors, start working in a Consultancy. Luckily things changed last year. The Fulbright Commission enabled me to spend a year finding and pursuing my passions, free from financial worries and far away from pressure from my family.

Do you feel like I should delete these 2 paragraphs or put them in a personal history statement? Any other comments here?

Because I worked for three semesters at the Statistics Department in city ABC during my Undergraduate I knew I liked the subject, and after my Masters I now know I am passionate about it. The project work at Berkeley has shown me the joy, and frankly also a sense of pride, in coming up with ideas no one had before. It has also shown me the frustration that every researcher has to suffer at some point, and the fact that I not only finished the project, but finished it successfully strengthened my resolve to do a Ph.D.

Should I be more specific about the project work? We are trying to get it published, but I'm not sure if we will in time. So include specifics?

Throughout my Undergraduate career I found myself studying the same things again and again. Worse even, I still forgot much of what I studied. [DC1]   The Causal Inference reading group with Prof. XYZ during my masters showed me how to best retain and cope with a huge amount of new knowledge.   There I also learnt how to approach new subject matter independently. While there have been academically more rewarding classes, the reading Group has given me a taste of what a Ph.D. would be like, and shown me that I would enjoy doing one.

The aim here is to tell them that during my masters I already got a taste of a PhD and decided that I'd like to do it. Because the masters is a "Professional Degree" the commission commitee might ask itself what changed that I wanna do a PhD now, so I'm trying to adress that point here. Do you think I should adress it more explicitly?

The reading group and the causal inference class I took in Berkeley showed me the relevance of applied statistics for their respective fields and taught me how important proper statistical education is for most researchers.   I thoroughly enjoyed both courses and would love to work in this area. Professor XYZ and ABC have been inspiring teachers and conduct research in areas that I would love to immerse myself in. A unique thing about statistics is that it gives us methods to draw conclusions about data. Especially if we are able to draw causal conclusions those conclusions can change lives.

Here I wanna talk about causal inference, that I liked and would love to do more about it. Do you think that's not explicit enough?

I am wary about committing myself prematurely to a specific topic of research, but am very excited about Causal Inference and would love to make my own small contribution to the advancement of the field. What makes Causal Inference special is that advancements  have immediate and real impact on a wealth of studies and their results The cross-section and cooperation between Statistics, Biostatistics and Public Health in DOTDOTDOT (don't worry, it's not a generic statment) make it an ideal environment for me to develop my interests and foster fruitful discussions.

There's also a last sentence, that's too personal for me to post. I can PM it to anyone interested.

Also, feel free to correct any spelling mistakes, I'm not from the states so a couple of them might have gotten in there.

Thanks,  Dario

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