Applying to Graduate School

Naomi AltmanGraduate Admissions Chair

naomi@stat.psu.edu

Summary

• Pick your program• Pick your degree• Pick your schools• Pick your references• What are we looking for?• CV• Statement of Purpose• Cover Letter• Miscellaneous

Pick your program• Statistics– a mix of theory and applications– support through teaching and research– requires lots of math

• Biostatistics– more applied– support through teaching and collaboration

• Analytics, Data Science ...– usually business oriented– not much theory– may have more computing

Pick your program• Statistics– a mix of theory and applications– support through teaching and research– requires lots of math

• Biostatistics– more applied– support through teaching and collaboration

• Analytics, Data Science ...– usually business oriented– not much theory– may have more computing

Pick your Degree• Ph.D.• M.S.• M.A.• M.A.S. or M.P.S.

• BS → PhD• BS → MS → PhD

Pick your Degree• Ph.D.– research oriented– 4 - 5 years– should get full financial aid– need strong math

• M.S.– research and course oriented– 2 – 3 years– might get full financial aid– need strong math– probably optimal job ops & lifetime earnings

Pick your Degree• M.A.– usually course oriented – financial aid??– 2 years

• M.A.S. or M.P.S.– course and consulting oriented– no financial aid (but extra year of earning)– 1 year (after BS in Statistics or math)

Pick your School• read web pages• check American Statistical Association for

programs in the US and Canada (www.amstat.org)

• Ask your professors• Be realistic – apply to X at your level + reach and safety – 4.0 in math/stat from PSU → reach any top program

• What are their recent grads doing?• How long to graduation?

Pick your References1) Plan in advance so they know who you are (not

just an “A” grade).2) Talk with the person so they know your plans

and so that you can get an idea of what they will say.

3) Best (MA, MS, PhD) academics who know you, especially if you have done research or been a TA

4) Best (MA, MAS) a couple of academics + a relevant work supervisor

What are we looking for?1) Good GREs.2) Good grades (especially in math, stat, econ ...)3) Good writing skills.4) Letters that indicate that you are a self-starter

and competent.5) Research or relevant work experience.6) Computing skills.7) English skills. 8) Motivation geared to the program you are

applying for.

CVHighlight:1) evidence of quantitative skills2) relevant work or research experience3) computing skills (not MS Office, Minitab, SAS, C+

+, etc)4) leadership (whether marching band or head of

analytics team)5) data analysis projects, even if done for class

Proof Read!

Statement of Purpose• Specific about goals and motivation• not too specific about particular areas of interest• show you read the department web page by

mentioning areas of relevant research• mentioning 1 professor to do research with is

tricky, what if (s)he leaves or retires?

Proof Read!

Cover Letter• Usually required only to explain special

circumstances such as:– poor grades– gap in program– late change in major– return to school after working

• Parsimony works best.

Proof Read!

Miscellaneous• The best source of information is the Grad

Admissions Chair, not your friend already in the program

• Contact the department before the end of Oct.