Admissions

The deadline for graduate student applications is January 15th for admissions in August.

All applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents will be considered for the Jean Gibbons Fellowship.

Admission to our graduate program and funding are extremely competitive. Typically, we receive about 180 applications per year. From those, we usually admit about 20 students and usually fund about 10 of those entering students. Because admission and funding are so competitive, the average GPA, TOEFL, and GRE scores (recommended)* are substantially higher than the minimum requirements.

The Department of Statistics encourages applications from students in fields other than mathematics and statistics. Although a degree in mathematics is not required, mathematical training through three semesters of college-level calculus and one semester of advanced calculus is required. Skill in matrix algebra is strongly recommended.

*While we are not requiring the GRE for Fall 2025 applications, they are recommended. Applications will still be considered complete without submitting GRE scores. For applicants that do not submit GRE scores, we encourage submitting supplemental materials such as a writing sample that indicates strong research potential (eg. a research manuscript or class project of original work).

Procedures
Requirements

A complete application packet includes an application form, official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework, three letters of recommendation, GRE scores (recommended), and an application fee. While we are not requiring the GRE for Fall 2025 applications, they are recommended. Applications will still be considered complete without submitting GRE scores. For applicants that do not submit GRE scores, we encourage submitting supplemental materials such as a writing sample that indicates strong research potential (eg. a research manuscript or class project of original work). International applicants must also complete a Financial Certification Form and submit scores on the GRE (recommended) and TOEFL examinations. All application materials should be addressed directly to the Graduate School. More information concerning the application process may be found on the Graduate School website.

To ensure that the application and consideration for all forms of financial assistance is efficient, it is recommended that applicants for regular fall semester admission make sure that their application and all related materials are submitted to the Graduate School by January 15.

Applications and all related materials for readmission to any other term should reach the Graduate School Office and the Department of Statistics at least eight weeks before the beginning of the term in which enrollment is requested.

Admission to the Graduate School is contingent upon the following conditions.

Receipt of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 base for the equivalent of the last 2 years of undergraduate study. Exceptions may be made to this rule upon recommendation of the department, providing that the applicant can present other substantial evidence of his or her ability to pursue graduate work at a satisfactory level
Three letters of recommendation
International applicants whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL scores of at least 90 (internet). Exceptions may be granted to those applicants who have graduated with a bachelors degree from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is also accepted; a 6.5 minimum score is required.
- English proficiency requirements for international applicants can befound here:
  https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/testing-requirements.html