[UC Berkeley's new MA Statistics program]

I was admitted to Berkeley's MA Statistics program for the Fall of 2012, but am a little nervous about the changes:

-condensed to one year

-tuition (Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition) hiked $10K

-no longer providing financial support (i.e. TAships)

I know most programs are little more than a year, but I'm a little wary. It looks like they might be devaluing the program and trying to get more money out of it - but that is largely based on my prior that Berkeley = broke.

What do you think? No doubt Berkeley is still a good school, tons of brilliant professors, but I'm not sure their Masters program is as good as it was. I'm reluctant to borrow tens of thousands of dollars for such an uncertain program.

[Proper way of asking when a decision will be made]

I know this doesn't help you, but this is why schools should adhere to the April 15 common deadline! I would ask to push back School 1 from April 20 to May 1 - that seems easier to change than to get school 2 to decide on your application early.

[Actuarial Exam P for Graduate Statistics]

As an actuary and soon-to-be grad student, I agree: no, it won't really help you. Having many exams, and some work experience, is valuable, but one exam just doesn't weigh very much.

[How bad does my math subject test score have to be before I don't bother sending it?]

I applied to statistics masters programs, none of which required the scores but all of which recommended them. I was right at the average score, submitted them, and was accepted. My hunch is that I did well enough not to be hurt by them, but not well enough to really help me. It's a stupid test anyway.