All applicants to the Master of Science in Biostatistics must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, show evidence of satisfactory preparation in math and computer skills, and have an acceptable academic record.
Application, admission, and degree-granting requirements and regulations shall be applied equitably to all individuals, applicants and students regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.
GRE scores are not required for admission. To strengthen the application, GRE scores are strongly recommended if the cumulative GPA from all undergraduate institutions attended is below 3.0. Official GRE test scores taken within the past five years are acceptable. Applicants must submit GRE scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 0167.
The admission committee does not list expected minimum scores.
The personal statement should be 750 words and can be uploaded to the Personal Statement section of SOPHAS. In your own words, describe experiences that have shaped your interest in public health and biostatistics.
Discuss your past education, experience, and current professional objectives. You are encouraged to comment on your plans to use your education and training, the needs and /or challenges you perceive as important in the field, and any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in the field of biostatistics.
Your personal statement can be uploaded electronically to the SOPHAS application
For each position on the résumé or CV, provide the job title, employing agency, dates employed, and responsibilities held. Indicate any additional strengths or skills such as fluency in foreign languages, research experience, teaching experience, community service, and demonstration of leadership skills. Include professional certifications, honors, and awards.
Your résumé or CV can be uploaded electronically into SOPHAS and should not be mailed.
U.S. transcripts
Official post-secondary transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended (must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS). This includes previous study at Indiana University campuses. U.S. applicants who studied at foreign institutions as part of a study abroad experience at their U.S. college or university do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their study abroad coursework.
Applicants are required to enter all U.S. coursework. Entering U.S. coursework allows SOPHAS to calculate GPAs that institutions use in reviewing applications, provides a way for institutions to review applications using electronic review forms and also allows for a mechanism to gather aggregate information about prior coursework. SOPHAS uses official transcripts to verify the self-reported coursework. This process significantly expedites the institution review process.
For regular mail, please send your transcript to:
SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471-9111
For overnight delivery only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-612-2090
Applicants who have not earned a degree at the time of application submission will be required to submit an official transcript upon acceptance to the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health. This official transcript should indicate your degree earned and date of conferral. If you did not earn your degree at the time you applied to SOPHAS, please send an updated official transcript with degree earned and date of conferral to:
IU Fairbanks School of Public Health
Office of Student Services and Admissions
Attn: Shawne Mathis
1050 Wishard Blvd., 6th Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46202
It is strongly recommended that all transcripts are submitted no later than April 1 to allow adequate time to verify transcripts by the May 1 deadline.
Foreign transcripts
All applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline (Spring - September 15 | Fall - March 1).
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.
Visit WES for more information
Transcripts must be sent from institution in the institutions sealed envelope directly to:
SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471-9111
For overnight delivery only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-612-2090
Three letters of recommendation are required from professional sources that can provide an unbiased critical assessment of your abilities, skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Examples of professional and academic sources are academic advisors, professors, preceptors, or immediate supervisors. Examples of sources that are not acceptable include coworkers, colleagues, classmates, and relatives.
Recommendation letters must be submitted electronically to SOPHAS.
The interviewees are invited at the discretion of the admission committee.
The MS in Biostatistics admissions committee conducts interviews using Skype video conferencing for applicants who are unable to travel to Indianapolis for the interview. Skype is a free software application that allows users to connect through the internet to communicate. Note that applicants will need access to a webcam and microphone for the interview.
Skype system requirements (taken from Skype website)
The Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health requires applicants whose native language is not English or whose academic study was done exclusively at non-English speaking institutions to prove English proficiency by providing either official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores must be under two years old.
The preferred minimum English language test scores for admission to the Fairbanks School of Public Health are:
Applicants must submit:
To schedule a test date and time please call the testing center at 317-274-2620.
All applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline (Spring - September 15 | Fall - March 1).
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.
Visit WES for more information
Transcripts must be sent from institution in the institutions sealed envelope directly to:
SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471-9111
For overnight delivery only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-612-2090
You may apply to our MS in Biostatistics program online via SOPHAS, the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service.
Remember to designate the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health as one of your school choices, along with your desired program.
We'll notify you by email once your application has been received. If you have questions about the application process, contact student services at (317) 274-2000. If you have questions about the MS in Biostatistics program, contact Cher Pearcy at chepearc@iu.edu.
Upon offer of admission, applicants will need to complete the required supplemental application, IU Graduate CAS, by using the invitation code and link provided with the admission offer. The IU Graduate CAS application resembles the SOPHAS application. To apply, unofficial transcripts earned at bachelor's, master's, or doctorate-granting institutions must be uploaded.
