ralphhumacho

The following link takes you to the 1995 NRC rankings, which are slightly dated (Florida, for example, should be way higher.) The 2008 NRC rankings should be out this fall, so be sure to look at those when they come out. http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_r ... rea34.html

What do you want to study specifically? Do you want to focus more on Applied Statistics, Theoretical Statistics, Biostatistics, or something else (ie Finance.)? Also, unless you are applying to countries other than in the US, I'm pretty sure there are less than 100 universities which offer PhD programs in Statistics, maybe 70 at most. Thus, I would break it down as follows: apply to 2 top 10 schools, 3 top 10-20 schools, 3 top top 20-30 schools, and 4-5 schools ranked higher than 30. You have a strong profile and should get into at least a couple schools, although your Math grades are a little troubling. Have you taken Real Analysis? I can give you some specific recommendations once I know what you want to study.

Hey there, I will be starting my PhD program in Statistics this year (in two weeks actually.) Purdue was one of the schools I applied to and got accepted with full support. I have accumulated a lot of information about various programs (everything from research areas, to application statistics etc...) Let me know if you have any questions, but I will offer some general advice: 1. Off all the schools you mentioned, Purdue is probably the most difficult to get into, and probably the most respected (although all schools you mentioned are excellent.) 2. You will be at a very large disadvantage as an international applicant. Which leads me to point 3: 3. Apply to a lot of schools. In the last few years, applications have double or tripled while funded spots have decreased. The university I will be attending received 130 applications for 8-10 spots three years ago. This year, it received 280 for 6-8 spots. Apply broadly.

Hi there, Expect to start anywhere between 40-55k depending on the university. I believe all state universities are required to make faculty salaries available to the public, so you can dig up that information to get a better perspective. When I checked my state school's (HUGE publice research university, top 25 Math program) Math faculty salaries, new faculty were in the 45-60k range, associate professors were in the 60-90k range, and most of the full professors were in the 90k - 130k range. One or two were pulling in >200k, but that is most likely from consulting, extremely generous grants, book royalties, or maybe a patent. Private universities in general pay a little higher.

i agree with most of the last few posts. the process is great if you're in the first or second round of admissions offers, but below that, it can be hell. i know a person who is still holding onto 6 offers and has made it clear he will decide on april 15, because "he can." no courtesy or consideration of others whatsoever. i'm almost 100% sure he could decline at least 2-3 of the schools to make the process go smoother for everyone. i can't imagine that his heart is torn equally between all six schools. i'm guessing this is what holds things up and screws over the waitlisted. sorry for venting but people like that really upset me.

keep in mind the application fee usually goes towards the graduate school processing, not the department. in most cases, the departments do not get any of the application fee. faculty volunteer to serve on the adcom, an there's usually a secretary to do all the grunt work. thus, i would withdraw, make it easier on everyone on the adcom.

First, I'd brush up on Calculus (I, II and Multivar) as well as Linear Algbera. Next, I would learn the basics of the major statistical software packages your school uses (SAS, R, etc) This will save you a TON of time and you will be able to focus on the actual material in your applied classes rather than be bogged down in having to learn the software (I know a few people who did poorly in a Regression class I took simply because they had to devote too much time to learning SAS at the beginning of the semester, and then fell behind.)

Hi - I've applied to Phd Programs in Statistics and so far got into 4 places I applied (waiting to hear from one more) 1. Not the same thing. MS/PhD requires you to first go through their MS route, pass the master's exam, etc., then go into their PhD program (you MAY not get in the PhD program, even after getting the MS, but you have a huge advantage.) Often times, the MS portion is NOT funded. Many Biostatistics PhD programs require a master's, and this route is common for Biostats, but all Statistics PhD programs I know of (which is most) prefer that you apply for the highest degree you intend to get (so you either apply to an MS program OR a PhD program.) 2. Depends on if you're looking to go into Theoretical Statistics (if you want to get into Academia), General Applied Statistics (if you want to work in industry, finance, consulting, at a lab etc.) or Biostatistics (if you want to work in pharma or a research lab.) I would highly recommend against biostats. Almost every job that a Biostats PhD can do can be done by a Stats PhD, maybe even a Math PhD with a concentration/grad minor in stats or and MS in Stats. However, a Biostats Phd may lock you out of finance, insurance, etc. Top theory-focused Programs: Stanford, Harvard, UChicago, UCBerkeley etc. Top Mixed Programs (strong in both theory/applied): UIUC, UMinn, UWisc, UMichigan, Texas AM, Florida, UNC Chappel Hill Top Applied Programs (generally not "highly ranked" but have excellent industry connections): NCSU, VTech 3. Kind of - will discuss later 4. For PhD programs' incoming class: smaller programs: 5-6 med size programs: 6-12 (I'd say ~80% of schools are in this category), large programs >12 (very few programs are this large) Sorry the grammar sucks, im in hurry!

Hello all, I recently got accepted to all 4 PhD programs I applied to with tuition waivers, health insurance, and a TA offer (ranging from 15-17k) at each school. My top choice sent me the financial aid package today, and it said that my TA and tuition waiver is renewable for up to 5 years. However, it said that this is dependent upon my progress in the program (duh), as well as the department's budget (?!?). They mentioned that they have NEVER cut off an assistantship due to budget reasons. However, with the way the economy is looking, I'm worried that I may get cut off 2-3 years into the program and end up have to pay like 80k for the last 3 years, which would suck. Is this a possibility, especially in today's economy? Or am I just worrying too much? Any help would be appreciated. Good luck to all.

1. when are you taking it? oct or nov? or did you take it in april? november - i did not take it in april 2. what score are you aiming for? what would be the minimum you would consider to be good? aiming for the 99th percentile of course, but realistically hope to get >75%ile (im only applying to stats phd programs - some which dont require the subject test, most only encourage you take it). i understand that for top 25 math programs, you should at least get in the 75%ile and 85%ile for top 10 programs. 3. how are you studying? and how long are you studying for? going through old textbooks, going through the four old gre math subject tests i have procured. i study about 15 hours a week, with 10 of those being on weekends. luckily, i am taking abstract algebra, adv linear algebra, and topology in school now so those will be fresh in my mind by november and i dont need to study those topics good luck! me: 1. i think i'll probably take it in november. i'd prefer october to get it out of the way, but i think i could use the extra 3 weeks. 2. so its out of 990. i think i need at least an 850 to be competitive. 3. i study for about 3 hours a day. i started studying about a week ago, and the plan is to study every day until the exam for a total of about 70 days or so. i'm going through old textbooks as well as that GRE math subject study book - the highest ranked one on amazon.