Application Requirements
Applicants applying from outside Stanford must visit Graduate Admissions before beginning the application process for complete application information and instructions. Please see the Calendar for this year's deadlines.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure he or she meets all eligibility requirements before applying.
Students applying from within Stanford should pay special attention to the Graduate Degrees section in the Stanford Bulletin regarding residency and unduplicated units. See How to Apply for application instructions.
A completed external application consists of the following:
Application Form
See the section How to Apply for instructions on completing the correct application form for your intended program. Submit all supporting materials for your application in one envelope whenever possible. This will help ensure that all of your materials arrive by the deadline.
top of page
Application Fee
Visit Graduate Admissions for the current year's application fee, and fee waiver process.
top of page
Statement of Purpose
Be sure to keep a copy for your records. Your statement should be typed, single-spaced and no longer than two pages. It should address why you are interested in pursuing a degree in Statistics and what type of employment or studies you plan to pursue upon graduation.
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 this as well.
If you upload your statement with the online application, DO NOT submit a second hard copy of it.
top of page
Resume/CV
You may submit a resume and/or CV. Neither is required, they are optional.
top of page
Letters of Recommendation
We expect three letters of recommendation. You may include one additional recommendation, if you wish. People who have supervised you in either an academic or employment setting should write your recommendations. 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.
top of page
College and University Transcripts
Send two official copies from all previous colleges or universities attended for one year or more full time. The institution should send you your transcripts in a sealed envelope. Transcripts received opened are not official and will not be used in the review process. Some institutions do not release transcripts directly to students. In such cases, we will accept credentials sent to us directly from the institution.
Students with international academic credentials must meet Stanford's eligibility requirements for graduate study. Visit Graduate Admissions to review the guidelines established (click on International Applicants). Be sure your bachelor's degree equivalent will be conferred before your intended program start date.
Concerning study abroad program or transferred courses: if the course work and grades are reflected on the transcript of your home institution, you do not need to submit transcripts from the study abroad/transfer institution.
top of page
Test Scores
GRE General Test
All external applicants are required to take the GRE General Test, unless they possess a PhD.
(If your studies are in progress when you apply, you may waive the GRE as long as your PhD will be conferred before your intended start quarter.)
We do not accept any other tests (such as the GMAT) in lieu of the GRE.
GRE Subject Test - Mathematics
PhD: All PhD applicants (internal and external) are required to take the
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics. Applicants must take the test no later than the December test date (April is too late).
MS: We do not expect MS applicants to take this test, but a high
score may greatly increase your chances for admission.
If results from more than one test date are submitted, we will consider the higher of the two scores.
Stanford Institution code: R4704 (no department code required - leave blank)
GRE website: www.gre.org
Internal applicants are not required to submit new general GRE scores if they have already taken the exam.
TOEFL
Scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English.
Scores must be submitted from a test taken within the last 24 months prior to the application deadline. (ETS purges scores after 24 months.)
For a list of exceptions, visit Graduate Admissions -- click on International Applicants.
If you wish to verify that you do not have to take the TOEFL, contact Graduate Admissions directly. Departmental staff cannot waive the TOEFL.
The Statistics Department minimum TOEFL requirements are as follows:
250 Computer-Based
600 Paper-Based
100 Internet-Based
Applicants should possess a strong command of English and score well above these minimums in order to be competitive. See the FAQs for the average scores of admitted applicants.
Applications with scores below the minimum are not reviewed.
The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required.
Stanford Institution code: R4704 (no department code required - leave blank)
TOEFL website: www.toefl.org
top of page
 |
