Admission to the Ph.D. Program
Students apply for admission to the Graduate School, not to the
department, and must use the online application form. 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
Graduate School Admissions Office
127 Allen Building
Duke University
Box 90065
Durham, NC 27708-0065
phone: (919) 684-3913
fax: (919) 684-2277
Deadlines:
November 15th - 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 15th - Final deadline for applications.
Some information on common questions:
- The Statistical Science PhD program typically admits between 5 and 9 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.
- 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 have a strict policy of providing full financial support for all admitted students.
- 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.