Admission to the Ph.D. Program
Students apply for admission to the Graduate School, not to the
department, and must use the online application processes and forms there. The
Graduate School sets the rules for admission and collects applications.
When an application arrives in the Graduate School, it is sent to the department
for a thorough review, after which the department makes a recommendation to the Graduate
School. The Graduate School has the responsibility and authority to make final admissions
decisions and offers. Once an offer is made by the Graduate School, the student can expect to
hear from the department concerning additional details and financial support.
Further information regarding the application
process and requirements are in the web site referenced and also may be available from:
Graduate School Admissions Office, 127 Allen Building, Duke University, Box 90065, Durham, NC 27708-0065.
phone/fax: (919) 684-3913/2277
Deadlines:
November 8th - Deadline for submission of electronic applications at the reduced application fee. This is also the recommended deadline since departmental review of applications begins as soon as applications are complete.
December 8th - Final deadline for applications.
Some information on common questions:
- The Statistical Science PhD program typically admits between 6-10 students each year. We review all completed applications during December-March, and make offers based on merit and promise as judged by the reviewing committee. We cannot provide any feedback whatsoever - before or during the review - in advance of admissions decisions.
- We have a strict policy of providing full financial support for all admitted students that require support.
- GREs and other score requirements are defined by the Graduate School as detailed at the web site (linked above). Most of the applicants to our program have excellent scores (see recent admissions statistics). However, the scores are only one piece of the overall record and there are no formal cut-offs for GREs that would imply an accept/reject decision.
- We do not require GRE subject test scores.
- The Graduate School requirements of GRE scores no older than 5 years will not be waived for any applicant.
- The Graduate School requirement of English testing scores no older than 2 years for applicants whose native language is not English will not be waived -- regardless of any time spent in US or other English speaking countries.
- We do not admit students directly to the MS degree program in Statistical Science. Only current Duke PhD students in other departments are eligible to apply to our MS program.
- We do not accept applications for admission in Spring.
- We do not accept applications for part-time study.
- On background and general preparation, our students come from a range of disciplines, but a strong background in applicable mathematics (facility in multivariate calculus and linear algebra, and their use) is most important. Any prior experience with active computing in statistical/scientific problems is also valuable since there is a major emphasis on statistical computation in modern statistical research and certainly in the first year of our PhD program. Check the "Resources" link at the departmental student consultative committee web pages, where you will find a FAQ document and other material provided by current students for new and enquiring students.