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Department of Statistics

Application Process

When you are ready to apply, all materials should be submitted online through the Graduate School’s Online Application System. A completed application consists of:

  • An online application form. This includes contact information, previous degrees, etc.
  • A transcript from each postsecondary institution. One unofficial transcript from each institution should be submitted online. If accepted and enrolled, official transcripts will be required later.
  • Three letters of recommendation. The applicant provides email addresses for letter writers to the application system. The letters should be submitted online directly by the letter writers.
  • English proficiency scores (TOEFL or IELTS), as required according to the Graduate School. TOEFL iBT scores are preferred. The Graduate School sets the minimum acceptable scores, but most successful applicants to our programs have a score of at least 20 on each section of the TOEFL. Again, official score reports are required.
     
    In response to the temporary closings of testing centers in countries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School now accepts Duolingo English Test examination results. Duolingo English tests taken after February 3, 2020 will be accepted. For additional details, please refer to the Graduate School policy. https://grad.ncsu.edu/about/coronavirus/future-students/
  • A written personal statement describing your academic and career goals, as well as special interests in the area of statistics. The statement should not exceed two pages and should be uploaded online.
  • A resume or curriculum vita is recommended. It must be uploaded online.
  • An application fee is paid online.

Remark: GRE scores from the general and subject tests are not required for admission to the Statistics Graduate Programs including both master and PhD programs.

It may take up to three weeks for your online materials submission to be reviewed and marked “complete.” Please do not inquire whether materials have been received; you will be notified if required materials have not been received.

Deadlines and Important Information

Students wishing to pursue the Ph.D. degree: Apply directly to the Ph.D. program. The master’s program is not an intermediate step in that path. Ph.D. applicants are admitted only in the fall semester. Complete applications received by December 15 will receive highest priority for admission and financial aid. Applications received later than February 15 will rarely be considered.

Students wishing to obtain only a master’s degree (not as a route to the Ph.D.):

  1. Applicants to the in-person master’s degree may choose to start in the summer (late May) or in the fall (August). The summer session courses are offered online, so students would not be required to attend classes on campus until fall. The summer enrollment is only for students who are already in the United States. Fall enrollment is often the best choice for international students.
  2. Applicants for the online master’s degree are accepted throughout the year and can start any semester.

Priority is given to applications received by January 15. The final deadline is March 25. No offers of financial support are provided to master’s students.

Visiting the Department

We welcome prospective graduate students to visit our department. Our Graduate Office is in 5114 SAS Hall. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Isabel Lopez at ilopeza@ncsu.edu.