Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Statistics Department and Graduate School addresses?

Statistics Department
Medical Sciences Center
1300 University Ave
Madison, WI 53706

Graduate School Admissions
(Please - Send NO applications materials
to this address except for fees)
217 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison WI 53706

Can I delay or waive the application fee?

No, the fee is required of all applicants. An exception can be made for some domestic applicants who are McNair or SROP participants, or can demonstrate extreme financial need. Domestic students may contact the Graduate School for exceptions to the rule.

Is there a separate application form for financial support?

No. All applications that are complete by the December 15 deadline for the following fall will be reviewed for department financial support consideration. You will be notified by the Admissions Committee of their decision as soon as possible.

What kind of background is suitable for admission to Statistics?

Students holding a bachelor's degree in statistics or in mathematics with some scientific background are encouraged to apply. Also students holding a bachelor's degree with a natural science, social science, or engineering major and strong mathematical background are encouraged to apply. Students are advised to undertake graduate work in statistics only if their undergraduate grades in mathematics were uniformly high.

What kind of math courses are required?

Applicants need a minimum of three semesters of calculus and a course in linear algebra (similar to UW's Math 340) to be considered. In addition, a course in real analysis/advanced calculus that covers calculus of several variables (similar to UW's Math 521) is highly recommended for both MS and PhD. A widely used textbook that covers Math 521 material is Rudin (Principles of Mathematical Analysis). [A lower level course such as UW's Math 421 is a good start for MS applicants, but Math 521 should be taken here to build technical skills.]

PhD students are expected to have had an introduction to measure and integration theory with proofs (similar to UW's Math 629). Books that cover Measure & Integration Proofs are Royden (Real Analysis) and Ash (Real Analysis and Probability).

How do these courses prepare me for UW's graduate program in statistics/biostatistics?

Math 340 and Math 521 are sufficient for our MS program. Math 521 is important training for the Stat 609-610 math stat sequence, while Math 340 helps with the Stat 849-850 linear models sequence. PhD students need a proof-based course that goes beyond the real line to include more general measure theory. Successful PhD students should perform at A-level in Math 521 and Math 629. Motivated students may build the Math 629 training while here, but gaps in Math 521 material are difficult to overcome at the PhD level.

How many transcripts must I send to the department?

You must send 2 (two) official sets of all transcripts directly to the Dept. of Statistics at the 1300 Univeristy Ave address noted above.

GRE scores

Can I use GMAT in place of GRE scores?

No, we accept only general GRE scores that are less than five years old. Send official scores to institution code 1846 and then send a paper copy to the department.

Is the subject GRE required?

No. We require the general GRE which includes verbal, quantitative and analytical writing assessment.

Is there a minimum GRE score required?

No. Your score will be evaluated comparitively with all the applicants for any given term. The higher the score, the better your chance of being accepted, although your score is only one facet of your total application packet used to determine admission.

TOEFL scores

Am I required to submit TOEFL scores?

Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide official TOEFL scores less than five years old. If you have received your degree from a U.S. university the TOEFL is waived. Send the official score to institution code 1846

Letters of recommendation

Should I mail recommendation letters with my application materials?

Recommendation letters are now done electronically, along with your application.

I am interested in Biostatistics. Where do I apply?

You apply through the Statistics Department and indicate your interest in Biostatistics in your Statement of Purpose.

When and how will I find out if I have been accepted?

Depending on the number of applications the process normally takes until the end of February for all decisions to be made. According to the Council of Graduate Schools you have until April 15 to return your response.

Will you email me the results of the Admissions Committee decision?

No, all decisions will be mailed via US Postal Service to the address listed on the application. Also, no results will be given over the phone due to privacy rules.

When can I expect my I-20?

For international students the I-20 is mailed from the Graduate School only after it has received the Statistics Department recommendation for admission AND after the Graduate School has reviewed your file to check for validity of undergraduate education degree, as well as receipt of all of their required paperwork, including a certified financial statement, residency verification, etc. Please respond promptly to the Graduate School's individual request in their correspondence with you after acceptance by the department.

In the initial stage of application, send only the application fee directly to the Graduate School. They will inform you when you need to send additional material.

Where can I get information on housing, transportation, directions, financial aid, etc.?

Please see the website whyuwmadison.gradsch.wisc.edu to explore this information.