In order to apply to any Department of Statistics Graduate Program, you must submit the following:

1. Completed Graduate School Application. (Indicate whether you are seeking a PhD, MS, MA, or MAS degree. For the MAS degree, identify Applied Statistics as the major. For other degrees, identify Statistics as the major.)

2. A nonrefundable application fee. The fee is $45 if you submit an electronic application, and $60 if you submit a paper application. (You are encouraged to use the electronic application -- paper applications will no longer be accepted after Summer 2004.)

3. Two official transcripts of the applicant's undergraduate record and, if applicable, graduate record. Two official transcripts must be submitted from each institution attended. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

4. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test (Institution Code -- 2660 and Department Code -- 0704). CBT scores are acceptable, and will be considered along with the other application material. A subject test in the GRE is not required.

5. Statement of purpose describing your motivation for undertaking graduate studies in statistics.

6. Three letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with the applicant's qualifications to study graduate statistics. The Department of Statistics does not have a letters of recommendation form. Rather, these letters should be in an open business, format and addressed to the Chairman of Graduate Admissions. Further, these letters may be given to the applicant in a sealed envelope that has been signed across the seal to ensure confidentiality. The applicant should then submit the letter unopened to the Graduate Admissions Secretary, Department of Statistics, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802-2111 USA

7. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) (Institution Code -- 2660 and Department Code -- 59) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 for the internet-based test.  Students with a speaking score of less than 20 on the speaking section for the internet-based test should contact us before applying.  The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5.  International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if they have received a baccalaureate or a masters degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Wales.

8. Transfer students within Penn State also need to submit the Resume Study/Change of Graduate Degree or Major form and concurrent degree students also need to submit the Concurrent Graduate Degree Programs Plan of Study form.

Deadlines: The deadline to apply for admission is January 15 every year. The deadline to apply for assistantships and fellowships is also January 15 every year. (MAS program applicants are not eligible for assistantships and fellowships.) For the MAS program, late applications will be accepted, if space is available, until May 01 for summer admission and until July 01 for fall admission.

IF YOU HAVE READ THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THEN YOU MAY FORMALLY APPLY TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL.