Frequent Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If your questions regarding graduate study in Statistics and Biostatistics are not answered below, please feel welcome to contact us.

Can graduate study be completed part-time?
Yes, in principle. Many of our students successfully complete their MS degree part-time. We strongly recommend that PhD students plan on spending at least two years studying full-time.
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Can Statistics and Biostatistics courses be taken as a non-degree student?
Yes.
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Are classes offered in the evening?
All required core courses for the MS are offered in the evening. Doctoral courses, and some courses that a student may be required to take in order to satisfy prerequisites, are offered only during the day.
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May I apply using a paper form?
No.
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May I my referees use a paper recommendation form?
Yes.
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I am currently pursuing a graduate degree at another university. What are the procedures for transferring to your program and can my credits be transferred?
Please see the transfer paragraph in the applications page for details on transferring.
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I am an alumni/a from Rutgers MS program in Statistics and Biostatistics. Can I take more courses?
Graduates from our program who want to take additional courses must repply as non-degree students. F-1 students may not pursue a new degree program while on post-completion OPT. If an F-1 student wants to enroll in a new degree program, they must transfer to it and obtain a new, valid I-20 for that program. This transfer will automatically invalidate the EAD card (OPT), even though the card remains in their possession.
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Can a GMAT score replace the GRE?
No, unfortunately, it cannot.
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What code should be given to ETS to ensure that my TOEFL and GRE scores are correctly routed to the admissions committee?
Please specify the code for Graduate School New Brunswick programs.
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What minimal TOEFL scores are required?
Minimum TOEFL scores are set by the graduate school.
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I am a graduate student at Rutgers. Can I pursue the MS degree in Statistics at the same time as my current program?
Yes.
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Where can the prerequisite courses be taken?
That is up to the individual. Courses may be taken at any institution of higher education.
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I have not taken all the prerequisite courses. Should I still apply?
We will consider applications from students who show promise. Students lacking prerequisites may still be admitted to the program, but will need to take some of the prerequisite courses during their first semester or preceding summer. We may make satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses within the first year after admission a condition of continued status in our program.
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What is the difference between a prerequisite override and a special permission number?
A prerequisite override is a note (either an email or a hard-copy form) from the graduate program to the registrar asking that a prerequisite be waived for a course. A special permission number is a code given by the program and used by a student to register, either in person or on line, to overcome many barriers to registration not including prerequisites.
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Do graduate students in your program get exposure to real data analysis projects?
The Department of Statistics and Biostatistics maintains an Office of Statistical Consulting, and interested PhD students are assigned to assist in this office, under the supervision of its director. Many MS students arrange for supervised statistical practice. The graduate director assists with linking interested students with investigators needing data analysis help, but the primary responsibility for making these connections rests with the MS student.
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I am interested in pursuing a career in actuarial science. Do Rutgers Statistics degrees provide suitable preparation for actuarial exams?
That is not the purpose of our degrees. Please visit Preparation for an Actuarial Career at Rutgers for more information on courses offered which are appropriate for actuarial students.
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Do Rutgers Statistics degrees provide suitable preparation for pursuing a career in financial mathematics?
Yes. We offer a degree in Financial Statistics and Risk Management. You might also consider the MS in Mathematics with the Option in Mathematical Finance program, or the MS in Quantitative Finance program, offered by the business school.
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Do you have rolling admission? When can I begin the program?
Your available starting dates depend on desired program and visa status. We strongly encourage students to submit applications by the published deadlines. We cannot guarantee that applications submitted after the application deadline will be considered in time for matriculation during the term requested. Late applications may be consider, or deferred until the following term.
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What is the difference between non-degree and non-matriculated admission?
Students are admitted to non-degree status when they intend to take a few courses, but do not intend to enroll in a degree program. Students are admitted to non-matriculated status when they intend to enroll in a degree program, but their appropriateness for the program is unclear.
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What is the maximum number of course credits I can take in a semester?
12.
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What is the minimum number of courses I can take in a semester?
Please see the minimal credit policy.
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Is there a style sheet for dissertation preparation?
Yes.
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My enrollment has lapsed because I did not register for one or more semesters. Can I apply to be reenrolled?
Yes.
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What books will be used in my courses during the next semester?
Information on books intended for use in the upcoming semester, and on how to obtain these, may be found on the schedule page.
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Can I obtain copies of statistical software from the Department or Graduate Program of Statistics and Biostatistics?
No. Software is available via the Rutgers software portal, from a third-party vendor, or free.
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I already have a terminal MS degree in Statistics and Biostatistics from Rutgers. What do I need to do to enroll in the PhD program?
The process is described in the page on registration for current Rutgers students.
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May undergraduates take courses offered by the Graduate Program in Statistics and Biostatistics?
Yes, under certain conditions.
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Is there provision for students at other universities to take Rutgers Statistics and Biostatistics courses, other than as a non-matriculated student?
In some cases, yes. Please see the separate document on cross-registration.
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Does your department offer programs in educational statistics, measurement, and evaluation, or in statistics education?
Activities in these areas are concentrated in the Graduate School of Education.
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Will evening classes be canceled on evenings when the Rutgers football team plays a home game?
No.
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Is there a procedure for readmission of students whose registration has lapsed?
Yes.
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Does the Program in Statistics and Biostatistics offer guidance on what kind of project satisfies the MS essay requirement?
Yes.
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