Department of Biostatistics 
Admissions and Student Funding
Admissions
The Department of Biostatistics offers three degrees for residential students: a Master’s of Science (M.S.); a Master's of Public Health (M.P.H.); a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). We also offer an On Job/On Campus program from which you can receive a Master’s of Science in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis. The Horace
H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies administers the M.S. and Ph.D. programs, while the School Of Public Health administers the M.P.H. program.
To apply for the M.S. or Ph.D. programs please fill out a Rackham School application. To apply for the M.P.H. program, please fill out a School of Public Health application.
The deadline for applying to any of our residential programs is January 15, 2008.
Please Note: The Department has an ongoing admissions process that begins in early January. Therefore it is recommended that you try to submit a complete application as soon as possible. Applications received after the January 15 deadline will be considered, although decisions related to funding favor applications received by the deadline. (Please see below for details on student funding in the department).
International Students: Obtaining a visa for study in the U.S. from abroad can take a long time. It is strongly recommended that international students apply as soon as possible for the Fall term.
Application Procedure
Those wishing to apply to the Biostatistics Department must submit a complete online application form, a non-refundable application fee, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation (submitted online), a statement of purpose*, and GRE scores. International students whose first language is not English must also submit TOEFL or MELAB scores.
*Note: Rackham applicants are required to submit both an academic statement of purpose and a personal statement. For more information on this requirement, please go here.
Minimum Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Applicants for the Doctoral Program must have a relevant Master's Degree (i.e. a graduate degree comparable to our M.S. in Biostatistics). There is a fast track available within the Master’s program for those intending to go on to our Ph.D. program.
- Math prerequisites are three semesters of calculus, a course in matrix or linear algebra, and an introductory course in statistics or biostatistics. Students with less preparation in mathematics or statistics may be conditionally admitted.
- All applicants for any of the programs are required to submit GRE scores. The scores must be from within the last 5 years.
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to present evidence of competency in English (TOEFL or MELAB scores) with their application. However, if a non-native English speaker has been granted a degree in an English speaking institution, the TOEFL or MELAB test is not required. Please refer to the Admissions page for international applicants for details on English proficiency requirements and other requirements specific to international students.
Transcripts
Rackham Applicants: Submit Academic Records/Transcripts to the Department of Biostatistics and to Rackham Graduate School Admissions
You must provide 2 sets of official final undergraduate and/or graduate academic records/transcripts, with your degree posted. Official documents must be provided from the institution awarding the degree.
One set must be submitted to your graduate program and the second set must be sent to Rackham Graduate School Admissions. It is your responsibility to request the release of any such records from the institutions involved.
Your completed online application and supporting documents (including academic records/transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation, etc.) should be submitted early enough to arrive two to three weeks prior to the deadline.
The deadline is the date by which all application materials must be received by both the graduate program and Rackham. Early submission may avoid unnecessary delays.
Where to Mail Your Transcript
- Department of Biostatistics School of Public Health
Attn: Transcripts
University of Michigan
1420 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
- Rackham Graduate School Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
915 E. Washington Street
Ann Arbor MI 48109-1070
Note: All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.
Funding
All students admitted to one of our residential programs are considered for funding. Funding decisions are made separately from admissions decisions. There are several different types of funding that we offer our students. Many students are appointed as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) or a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA). The Biostatistics Department also offers funding through Training Grants. A limited number of scholarships and fellowships are available as well.
Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)
Graduate Student Instructors are appointed at a 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week. This appointment includes a tuition rebate and health insurance coverage. In addition, the Biostatistics Department provides a monthly stipend and pays for registration fees each term. GSI’s are appointed to help with the instruction of Biostatistics courses offered to students from other Public Health Departments. The duties of a GSI can include preparing materials for and teaching labs, holding office hours, grading homework and exams, and tutoring.
Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA)
Graduate Student Research Assistant positions are similar to GSI positions. GSRA’s are appointed at a 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week on a research project. This appointment includes a tuition rebate and health insurance coverage. In addition, the research project provides a monthly stipend and pays for registration fees each term. GSRA’s generally work closely with a faculty member who is a principal or co-investigator on the research project. Currently, GSRAs are working on projects involving genetics, cancer, clinical trials, epidemiology, bioinformatics, diabetes, environmental health, health education, and survival analysis.
Training Grants
Students are also supported through involvement in training grants which provide support similar to the GSRA or GSI appointments. Currently, the Department has two training grants. Information can be obtained by clicking on the links below.
Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards
Awards for tuition assistance are available and are granted without
a work obligation. These awards are generally made on the basis of academic
merit, expected contribution to the field, and underrepresented backgrounds.
Some examples of awards our students have received include the Shapiro
Award, the Rackham
Merit Fellowship for Historically Underrepresented Groups, the Rackham
Non-Traditional Fellowship, the Rackham
One-Term Dissertation Grant, the Rackham
Regents Fellowship, the School
of Public Health Tuition Assistance Award. Other award/scholarship opportunities include the Barbour Scholarship, the Pre-doctoral Fellowship, the Susan Lipshutz Award and the Rackham Travel Award. The Rackham Sources of Aid page lists various sources of information on financial assistance available to students on campus.
Financial Aid
Many of our students are offered funding as GSIs or GSRAs, on training
grants, or receive scholarship or fellowship support. If a student does
not receive such an offer, he or she may apply for financial aid through
The University of Michigan’s Office
of Financial Aid. This office requires applicants for any and all
types of financial aid to complete the Free Application for Federal
Student AID (FAFSA) provided by the American
College Testing Center (ACTC). A FAFSA will be sent to you directly
if you indicate your interest in financial assistance on the admission
application form.
FAFSAs are available from most high school or college libraries and
financial aid officers, as well as from the School of Public Health Office of
Academic Affairs. FAFSA is also available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Additional information on admissions and student funding can be found in the Biostatistics Departmental Brochure, which is available online. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us:
By Mail:
Department of Biostatistics School of Public Health
University of Michigan
1420 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
By Telephone: (734) 615-9812
By Fax: (734) 763-2215
By E-mail: sph.bio.inquiries@umich.edu |
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