Admissions

What concentrations are offered within the Statistics graduate programs?

Both the M.S. and Ph.D. program offer concentrations in Biostatistics. The M.S. program also offers a concentration in Data Analytic Methods, which provides relevant training to students interested in data analytics and data science. It is not necessary to declare any concentration on the graduate admissions application; in fact, many students do not. For more information, please see the graduate programs page.

What are the program prerequisites?

All applicants should have completed coursework on the following subjects: Calculus (through multivariable), a calculus-based course or courses in probability and statistics, and a linear algebra course. Applicants to the Ph.D. program would be well-served by having additional mathematics courses, such as an introduction to proofs and real analysis.

Is an MS required to apply to PhD program?

No. Many of our Ph.D. students do not have a Masters degree.

Where do I find application materials?

All application materials and other information about applying are available at the Graduate Application Portal.

The entire application form, including letters of recommendation, must be completed and submitted online. No application materials should be sent to the department or to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

What is the application fee?

$85. Under certain circumstances this fee can be waived.  Please see the Graduate Outreach page for more information.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is January 15

Are students admitted for the Spring term?

Ph.D. students are not admitted for the Spring term. Generally M.S. students are not admitted for the spring term but occasionally exceptions are made. However, because the program is not designed for spring admission there is a real chance such a student would encounter complications the would prevent program completion within three semesters. Any potential M.S. student who would like to be considered for spring admission should contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Jeff Holt (jjh2b@virginia.edu) as far in advance as possible.

Is there a separate application form for financial support?

Department based (teaching and research assistantships) are only available for Ph.D. students. All such applicants need to do is check the box on the application form indicating that you want to be considered for financial support.

If I am admitted will I automatically be offered financial assistance?

Ph.D. students all receive financial support as described above. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer financial support to M.S. students.

What types of financial assistance are there?

The standard financial support package for Ph.D. students is described above. Research assistantships are also sometimes available, with comparable levels of support. All Ph.D. students supported as GTA’s or GRA’s receive a full tuition waiver and health benefits. 

Do I need to take the GRE?

Yes, GRE general exam scores are required for admission.  

Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

Some international students whose native language is not English may be required to submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score. See the Graduates School Requirements page for the specifics of this requirement.

Are there additional English language requirements for non-native English speakers?

All incoming (new) graduate students whose first language is one other than English are required to take the University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam (UVELPE) unless they have been exempted from TOEFL or IELTS. (There is no charge for this test.) Please see the UVELPE page for more information.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?

Yes. The Graduate School typically requires a GPA (overall) of at least 3.0. Successful applicants (especially for the Ph.D. program) usually have GPA’s of 3.5 or higher.

Can my application be considered with unofficial copies of the GRE or TOEFL?

Yes. But any offer of admission and/or financial support will be contingent upon having official text scores submitted.

What institution code should I use for TOEFL scores?

Use  Code B875 for TOEFL. This will send your score to the University Registrar, who will enter it into our university database. Do not have your scores (or anything else) sent directly to the department.

When can I expect to hear of a decision about my application?

All applications arriving by the January 15 deadline will typically receive a response by mid-February.

How many students are admitted?  Is there a limit on the number of international students?

We typically enroll 6-7 Ph.D. and 25-30 M.S. students each year. There is no limit on the number of international students, which varies from year to year