FAQs
1. What are the application deadlines?
2. How will I know when my application is complete?
3. How many letters of recommendation do I need?
4. When will I find out if I’ve been accepted or denied?
5. What if I am on the Wait List?
6. Does the department offer financial support?
7. If my background is not in Math or Statistics, should I apply?
8. Does the department offer part-time programs?
9. Do I need to apply for the MS before I can apply for the PhD?
10. Which GRE do I need to take?
11. Can I get a TOEFL waiver?
12. Which GRE and TOEFL codes should I use?
13. Can I send photocopies?
14. Does the program admit international students?
15. Which factor is most important when considering an application?
16. Can I enter the program in any quarter?
17. Am I qualified to be a Teaching Assistant?
18. Who will be my major adviser?
19. If my application is unsuccessful, what should I do?
1. What are the application deadlines?
The deadline for all application materials and TA / Fellowship applications is January 15. Anything that is submitted after this date will be marked as ‘late’.
2. How will I know when my application is complete?
When your application is complete, you will receive an email from the Statistics graduate coordinator. If you have items missing, you will be notified around the time of the deadline.
3. How many letters of recommendation do I need?
You need to electronically submit three letters of recommendation. These must be submitted online via the Office of Graduate Studies admissions site: http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/prospective/admissions_application.html. When you enter your recommender's name and email address into your application, they will receive an automated email with a password and URL instructing them how to upload the letter. Please do not send hard copies nor emailed copies of letters of recommendation to the department.
4. When will I find out if I’ve been accepted or denied?
The Admissions Committee usually makes its preliminary offers by late February or early March, however the process often takes longer. If you are accepted or denied, the department will send you an email to notify you, and the Office of Graduate Studies will send an official letter. Decisions are made by April 15 at the latest. Those who have been offered admission and/or financial support have until April 15 to respond and submit their Statement of Intent to Register.
5. What if I am on the Wait List?
The Admissions Committee often selects certain applicants to be place on the Wait List. Those on the Wait List will be notified by mail by Graduate Studies and via email by the department. Decisions about whether to admit or deny wait-listed applicants are usually made by April 15; waitlisted applicants who have been offered admission have until May 15 to respond.
6. Does the program offer financial support?
The Graduate Program in Statistics offers financial support in the form of employment within the department as a Teaching Assistant, working at between 10 and 20 hours per week. TAs receive fee remissions that cover most of their in-state tuition. Students can also find employment as a Graduate Student Researcher, though these positions are usually taken by more advanced students. For internationals or non-CA residents, the department also has a limited number of Non-Resident Tuition Fellowships, which cover in full the non-resident tuition. We also encourage applicants to apply for the Internal Fellowships offered by Graduate Studies; details can be found here: http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/ssupport/internal.html
7. If my background is not in Math or Statistics, can I apply for the program?
Yes. A strong background in these areas is important, but it is not the only determining factor for admission. Students without a strong mathematical / statistical background, if accepted, would be expected to build up these areas in the first year.
8. Does the department offer part-time programs?
No, we only accept full-time students.
9. Do I need to apply for the MS before I can apply for the PhD?
No, you can apply directly for the PhD without an MS; students intending on PhD study should apply directly for the PhD. You can obtain an MS while you undertake the PhD. However, those entering with an MS degree do not need to take the lower level graduate courses.
10. Which GRE do I need to take?
We require that applicants take the General GRE test, and not the subject-specific test. It is important that your test scores are no more than five years old; if they were taken more than five years ago, you will be required to take the GRE again before you will be allowed to enter the program.
11. Can I get a TOEFL waiver?
If you took your bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States, your TOEFL requirement will be automatically waived. Similarly, if you are applying from a country whose first language is English, you do not need to take the TOEFL.
12. Which GRE and TOEFL codes should I use?
Please use institution code 4834 for UC Davis, GRE department code 0704 for Statistics, and TOEFL department code 59.
13. Can I send photocopies?
While we do accept photocopies of GRE and TOEFL scores for review purposes, you will be required to send originals if you are offered admission.
14. Does the program admit international students?
Yes; the program has a large proportion of international students.
15. Which factor is most important when considering an application?
Everything is considered important.
16. Can I enter the program in any quarter?
No: we only accept applications for Fall quarter entry from new applicants. However, internal applications to double-major in the MS program are accepted quarterly from current UC Davis graduate students.
17. What qualifications do I need to be a Teaching Assistant?
New Teaching Assistants must attend the T.A. Orientation held by the Teaching Resources Center (for details, please see: http://trc.ucdavis.edu/trc/tao. International students must also take the SPEAK test: http://trc.ucdavis.edu/TRC/ta/esl.html.
18. Who will be my major adviser?
The Graduate Adviser for Statistics is Prof. Prabir Burman. While you are here, you will be given the opportunity to approach faculty to work with as your major professor.
19. If my application is unsuccessful, what should I do?
If you are not admitted to the program this year, you are still welcome to apply for the following year. However, you will be required to submit a new set of application materials.
