A few questions on Statistics PHD

[1230wc]

1. Some programs put time to completion at 4-5 years. Is it thus easier to graduate compared to other disciplines?

2. Is it time inefficient to do an MS stats one place and phd at another? Does this involve more courses than a direct phd after BS?

3. Is it more common to apply w/ MS or BS? How competitive is admissions?

4. What's the diff between stats and biostats phds? Is biostat phd like an applied stat program restricted to biology?

5. Is stats phd less theoretical than applied math phd?

Thanks!

 

[R.Mesri]

1. The time to completion for a statistics or biostatistics program can vary greatly depending on the individual and the institution, so it is difficult to say if it is easier to graduate compared to other disciplines. 2. It is not necessarily time inefficient to do an MS in statistics at one place and a PhD at another, although it may involve more courses than a direct PhD after a BS if you need to take additional graduate-level courses to meet the requirements of the PhD program. 3. It is more common to apply for a PhD program with a BS or MS, although some programs may require a MS or even a PhD for admission. Admissions are typically competitive, but this can also vary by institution. 4. Statistics PhDs are typically focused on more theoretical aspects of the field, while biostatistics PhDs can be either more theoretical or applied, and often focus on the application of statistical methods to biological data. 5. Statistics PhDs tend to be less theoretical than applied mathematics PhDs, as they focus more on data analysis and interpretation than on pure mathematics.