Please review the

• Fall 2021 Instruction Guidelines
• Space Use Guidelines
• Face Coverings and PPE
• Visitor Guidelines
• Travel Restrictions
• Columbia Community Health Compact

​Given the guidelines from the CDC and New York State, and Columbia University's vaccination mandate for students, faculty, and staff, the University is on its way to returning to be fully in-person for the Fall 2021 Semester. Much of the "return-to-campus" planning is still underway. 

Campus health policy will require that people wear a face covering at all times indoors, unless they are in a private room with the door closed. 

A detailed overview of public health protocols on Columbia’s campus includes symptom screening, mandatory and periodic testing, contact tracing, face covering, social distancing, and quarantining.

It is the shared community pledge to the highest standards of health and safety. See here:  Columbia Community Health Compact

Enjoy a VIDEO from 2018 with our former Chair Richard Davis who continues as one of our influential faculty members.  

The Admissions Committee looks for applicants with a compelling background and strong grades in quantitative and related fields such as statistics, mathematics and computer science. Applicants need a thorough knowledge of linear algebra and advanced calculus. Successful candidates have experience in theoretical or applied probability and statistics.  Familiarity with computer programming is highly recommended. 

Interested applicants lacking background in these areas should make up the deficiency before applying. We do not offer conditional acceptance.

Due to the large number of applications received, the MA in Statistics staff does not answer inquiries about specific applications.  We do not give advice or offer direction to applicants before they are admitted.  While we appreciate interest in the program, emails expressing this interest have no bearing on the outcome of an application. One's candidacy is decided upon by the application materials only. Any specific interest and rationale should be conveyed in the personal statement within the application.

The number of enrolled students varies every year according to the number of qualified applications received.

We recommend submitting your application before the January 31st early deadline, especially if you would like to be considered for a Department Scholarship.  The latest to apply for the Fall Semester is April 29.  

Please refer to the GSAS Admissions website for all deadline information

There are no minimum GPA or GRE scores set by the Department. The Admissions Committee looks competitively at the overall application including the grades received in relevant coursework, the prerequisites needed for the program, recommendation letters, test scores, and other supporting documents. 

To apply to more than one program in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, please review the Frequently Asked Questions on the GSAS Website.   Note that besides applying to GSAS, it is fine to apply to other schools within Columbia University, like the School of Professional Studies or the School of Engineering. 

Due to the number of applicants we do not meet with prospective students.   An interview is not part of the Admissions Process.   Nor do we provide tours or interviews with faculty or students. 

You may visit the Columbia Campus Visitor Center (213 Low Library).  HERE is a link for visiting the Columbia Campus.  HERE is a link for tours, including the self-guided tour.   HERE is more detailed information about Columbia University and visiting New York City. 

Thoroughly review the MA Website and the GSAS Website including the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). If questions remain and you are on campus, visit the GSAS Admissions Office (107 Low Library) between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. 

GSAS requires a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL (600 on the paper-and-pencil test) or 7.5 on the IELTS test.  Please refer to GSAS Admissions for timing and more details on the English Proficiency Requirement.  Write to gsas-admissions@columbia.edu for specific questions. 

The typical full-time schedule is three semesters (Fall, Spring, Fall) with summer courses as optional.  Students in F1 status must be full-time and must finish in no more than three semesters,  according to their visa.   There is no minimum number of courses taken per semester as long as all the program requirements are completed within three semesters.   A small number of exceptional students are able to complete the program requirements within one year. 

Part-time domestic students complete the program in a maximum of four years.  

Please refer to the GSAS Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

You can find important dates on the Academic Calendar.  Choose the year, semester, and the school is the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

No, you may not.  Here is some general information on Statistics on the GSAS Website. 

Both R and Python are used.   A good website to have time to prepare in advance for programming options is located here.

MA Statistics students who have demonstrated exceptional academic potential and  who plan to apply for a PhD program may submit applications to take selected PhD-level courses offered by the department. Applications will be reviewed by the Faculty Director of the MA program and faculty instructors of the PhD-level courses. Space will be limited, with a cap decided by the faculty instructors of the PhD-level courses.  

You may apply for a grader position after you complete your first semester in the MA Program.  Keep reading the MA Newsletter and checking your emails as this opportunity will be announced.     We do not offer RA or TA positions within the Statistics Department for Master's students, but there may be TA opportunities available outside the Department. 

 Yes, we have a Facebook page.

If you have not heard back, it means your application is still under review.  There are no expedited reviews.  Although the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences begins accepting applications to the M.A. program in September, the decision-making process may not begin until February.  Once the decision-making process is under way, decisions will be made on a rolling basis. 

Since space is limited, prospective applicants are encouraged to submit all application materials as early as possible. 

We appreciate the time and commitment you put into your application; however, we are unable to offer individual feedback on why you did not gain admission. This is a highly selective program and decisions are competitively based upon a thorough review of all application materials.

We do not have a number system for our wait list, nor do we share where you rank. 

No. If you are on the waitlist, you must simply wait to see if available slots open. You will be contacted if there is an open spot available for you. 

We are not allowing any extensions to the date of the deposit.  You need to pay the deposit in time or forfeit your place to another student.