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bayessays

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  1. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from Abuelo in Unconventional Applicant: Seeking Advice for Ph.D. in Statistics   
    In that case, your math background is actually really solid for most programs.  I'd figure out your letter writers - even if you weren't super close, are there professors who stand out in your mind as being supportive?  Even if you don't have "real" research, is there a professor you did a project for that could stand out?  If you can throw together 3 decent letters, I'd apply a little higher than what I stated above, and throw in some master's as a backup.  I definitely think you belong in a program that's higher than what I stated above, but you just gotta put a couple pieces together in terms of selling your profile.
  2. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Abuelo in Unconventional Applicant: Seeking Advice for Ph.D. in Statistics   
    What type of school did you take the math classes at?  Was it an online university?
    Your biggest issue obviously is that you don't have any letters of recommendation, so that will make it very difficult to get in anywhere since there isn't any research or pedigree that makes you a standout candidate.
    In your current shape, I'd probably start the search at US News rank 60 and below for statistics PhDs, and 25 and below for biostatistics.  You would benefit a lot from a master's program where you could form some relationships with professors, get some research experience, and drastically improve your results.
  3. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from BL4CKxP3NGU1N in Choosing a PhD Program: UWashington, UC Davis, or UCSB?   
    Have you ever lived somewhere that's not California?  Seattle's weather concerns are overblown - it's less rainy/cloudy than many major cities on the east coast, and the winters are relatively mild.  It's not like going to Chicago or Minnesota.  But, obviously it's not Santa Barbara, and if weather is a huge concern for you, then only you know how much that would affect your happiness.
    I think the best thing is to really think about your goals.  You should be able to get a decent job coming from any stats PhD program, but Washington is really in a different tier than the other two and I think you'd have more options, especially if you're interested in machine learning.  I think that holds even if you want to move back to California - you'l have more options in San Francisco after attending Washington due to the prestige of the program and your opportunity to do cutting-edge ML stuff.  On the other hand, I'm looking at UCSB's PhD placements and they are still pretty good: https://www.pstat.ucsb.edu/graduate/alumni
    Location is huge though, and it's 5 or 6 years of your life, so if you think you'd be much happier in California, you can definitely be successful at any of the programs.
  4. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from tonyk in Which MS program (statistics) should I choose?   
    NYU does not a curriculum that will help you get into a PhD program at all, so if that is a concern, choose UNC.
  5. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from Anonymous Dino in Choosing a PhD program: UC Berkeley vs. U of Michigan Biostatistics   
    Building on stxnre's observation, I think that you basically have to think about the financial situation in terms of what you'd have to give up. I think you'd be able to have a nice studio apartment downtown and eat out regularly in Ann Arbor, versus Berkeley where you'd almost certainly have to have roommates and you might not have the money to enjoy the area as much.
  6. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from Anonymous Dino in Choosing a PhD program: UC Berkeley vs. U of Michigan Biostatistics   
    At least in the near past, people with a Master's usually finished a year faster at Michigan.  I wouldn't worry about anything you mention in this paragraph - if you're working on your dissertation at either of these schools, I can't imagine any situation in which they don't fund you unless you start taking like 8 years.
    Obviously the warm weather is a huge factor, but Ann Arbor is a very nice place to live. I'd visit both if you can.
    They're both good programs - I don't think you can go wrong.  Both are schools that have good stat programs with lots of faculty to draw from - Berkeley does have stronger ties to stats department just because of the way the department is designed, but there are definitely people in biostat at Michigan working with stat faculty.
    I'd ask students about the requirements - a 20 hour a week teaching assistantship is often 5 hours or less, at every program I've ever seen.  Once you start your dissertation, your "research assistantship" is usually just doing your dissertation.  
  7. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Ryuk in Profile Evaluation for Stats PhD   
    I think your research is fine - research is a big commitment, so I don't think it's worth it to go out of your way to get publications or anything like that.  If you have three letters from tenure-track professors in stats/math at one of the top schools in Canada, and they are very positive letters, you're in great shape.
    A master's can definitely help, especially as an international student, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.
    If I were you, I'd just expand your list - apply to additional schools like UT-Austin, Ohio State, Illinois, that are great programs but not at the very top.  See how your results are, and re-evaluate if you need to.
  8. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from BL4CKxP3NGU1N in Profile Evaluation for Stats PhD   
    I think your research is fine - research is a big commitment, so I don't think it's worth it to go out of your way to get publications or anything like that.  If you have three letters from tenure-track professors in stats/math at one of the top schools in Canada, and they are very positive letters, you're in great shape.
    A master's can definitely help, especially as an international student, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.
    If I were you, I'd just expand your list - apply to additional schools like UT-Austin, Ohio State, Illinois, that are great programs but not at the very top.  See how your results are, and re-evaluate if you need to.
  9. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from BL4CKxP3NGU1N in Profile Evaluation for Stats PhD   
    You've basically listed all of the most competitive programs in the country.  You might have a chance at them, but this cannot be your entire list of schools.
    Your profile is strong in that you have good grades from a good school and a a very strong math background - your research experience is sufficient, but without publications doesn't really stand out (at least from the details you've provided).  I'd widen your range through the top 30 on US News.
  10. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from th2do in Profile Evaluation for Stats PhD   
    I think your research is fine - research is a big commitment, so I don't think it's worth it to go out of your way to get publications or anything like that.  If you have three letters from tenure-track professors in stats/math at one of the top schools in Canada, and they are very positive letters, you're in great shape.
    A master's can definitely help, especially as an international student, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.
    If I were you, I'd just expand your list - apply to additional schools like UT-Austin, Ohio State, Illinois, that are great programs but not at the very top.  See how your results are, and re-evaluate if you need to.
  11. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from th2do in Profile Evaluation for Stats PhD   
    You've basically listed all of the most competitive programs in the country.  You might have a chance at them, but this cannot be your entire list of schools.
    Your profile is strong in that you have good grades from a good school and a a very strong math background - your research experience is sufficient, but without publications doesn't really stand out (at least from the details you've provided).  I'd widen your range through the top 30 on US News.
  12. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Jim VK in Statistics PhD Interview Help   
    They are not technical interviews - generally, they'll ask you to talk about why you want a PhD in statistics, ask you about your research projects, etc. - you should be able to talk about these things.  You might want to have some questions prepared for them about their program.  Definitely not going to be quizzed on material in your classes, and if you are, I'd take that as a massive red flag of a dysfunctional department.
  13. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from Jim VK in Statistics/Biostatistics PhD Evaluation   
    Honestly I think that's a great list for you - I think about half of those schools are strong matches and then a lot of (realistic) reaches that are reaches for almost everyone.
    As for digging into the stat vs biostat choice, I sort of wonder about your choices for Duke, UNC, and Yale.
    For Duke, their biostat department is relatively new (I think this is one of the safer options on your list along with Emory and Iowa State) whereas their statistics department is elite. But for Yale, you made the opposite choice of Duke - choosing the elite stats department over the relatively middle-of-the-road biostat program.  
    For UNC, I don't think you can go wrong with either department, but UNC's stats department is sort of unique in having a big probability focus.  This might be a pro or con depending on your interests.  I don't think you can go wrong either way, really.
     
  14. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from suncertainty in Statistics/Biostatistics PhD Evaluation   
    Honestly I think that's a great list for you - I think about half of those schools are strong matches and then a lot of (realistic) reaches that are reaches for almost everyone.
    As for digging into the stat vs biostat choice, I sort of wonder about your choices for Duke, UNC, and Yale.
    For Duke, their biostat department is relatively new (I think this is one of the safer options on your list along with Emory and Iowa State) whereas their statistics department is elite. But for Yale, you made the opposite choice of Duke - choosing the elite stats department over the relatively middle-of-the-road biostat program.  
    For UNC, I don't think you can go wrong with either department, but UNC's stats department is sort of unique in having a big probability focus.  This might be a pro or con depending on your interests.  I don't think you can go wrong either way, really.
     
  15. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from suncertainty in Statistics/Biostatistics PhD Evaluation   
    I think you'll be in good shape.  Focus on getting strong letters from your research advisors.
    5-15 on US news is doable, but I'd apply to plenty of programs in the 15-30 range as well.
    Your questions:
    1. First, I don't really think they are essentially equivalent for everyone - they are for most students though.  If you want to study probability theory or extremely theoretical statistics, you will want to go to a statistics department.  If you only want to do applied research (not be a professor) and don't really like hard math, you will want to go to a biostatistics department.  If you're in between, it probably doesn't matter much.
    Your profile will be very good for either type of program, but I certainly think you have a much better shot at Harvard/Washington/Michigan if you apply to their biostat programs rather than their stat programs.
    2. Most statistics students do not do research their first year, so I wouldn't bother. This may vary for certain programs, but most students will probably not be doing this and it is not expected.
    3. I would not worry about this at all.  Differential equations is irrelevant, and one semester of linear algebra is fine.  Your math background is sufficient.  The only thing that could improve it really is to take lots of difficult proof-based classes/graduate classes to boost your profile for top 10 stat programs, and this is definitely not worth the effort.
     
  16. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from BL4CKxP3NGU1N in Statistics PHD Preparation Advice   
    Start with US News, I'd focus mostly on programs in the 10-60 range.  See what locations you like and look at those department pages - most programs have a faculty page that will list research interests.  Most programs will have one or two faculty that focus on Bayesian stuff - programs that focus on Bayesian stats include Duke, Texas, Missouri, Iowa.  You'll have to dig a little harder depending on what exactly you mean by "machine learning."  Also look at biostatistics programs in the top 20, as your profile will play well there.
    I'd talk to your professors, and focus on securing good letters of recommendation from research advisors - you go to a top 15 stats program, so try to take advantage of the vast connections of your department if possible.
  17. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from BL4CKxP3NGU1N in Fall 2024 Stat/Biostat Profile Evaluation   
    I think your classification of schools as reaches/matches is basically correct.  Your profile is basically ideal, except for the lack of real analysis being a detriment at top stats departments.  I think you'll have a lot of success.
  18. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Jim VK in Fall 2024 Stat/Biostat Profile Evaluation   
    I think your classification of schools as reaches/matches is basically correct.  Your profile is basically ideal, except for the lack of real analysis being a detriment at top stats departments.  I think you'll have a lot of success.
  19. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from BL4CKxP3NGU1N in PhD in Math (specialization in Statistics) or PhD in Data Science   
    From their website, it seems like Math PhD students on the stats track would only have to take exams in Mathematical Statistics and Real Analysis, but do you really want to be taking a real analysis qualifying exam at a top 20 math department? Do you want to be wasting your time studying for PhD Math classes?
    Personally, given my preferences, it would be a no-brainer to choose the data science program because I don't want to do that much math.  If you don't want to be a professor, I don't see many advantages unless you feel like you would get a lot of personal enjoyment and satisfaction from completing intense math classes.  I'd rather spend that time taking stats/data science electives and getting research experience, so I'd go for the data science PhD.
    (There may be some areas/professions where the Math PhD will help you a lot in getting a position - for instance, maybe if you wanted to go into some type of quantitative finance position.  But for biostatistics or technology jobs, I don't think the difference between these programs would matter at all, and I think you could get a lot more research done/learn more practical stuff without the distraction of hard math classes that have nothing to do with statistics)
  20. Like
    bayessays got a reaction from FewCinnamon in California State University options - MS Statistics   
    Since cost is not a factor, I think location is really the biggest consideration.  Maybe people who grew up in California have more associations with these schools, but you're not choosing between schools that are at vastly different levels of prestige like Stanford vs CSU East Bay.  I don't think the availability of slightly more electives is a reason to uproot your life if you don't really want to.  CSU East Bay would be my choice for this reason.
  21. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Jim VK in PhD in Math (specialization in Statistics) or PhD in Data Science   
    From their website, it seems like Math PhD students on the stats track would only have to take exams in Mathematical Statistics and Real Analysis, but do you really want to be taking a real analysis qualifying exam at a top 20 math department? Do you want to be wasting your time studying for PhD Math classes?
    Personally, given my preferences, it would be a no-brainer to choose the data science program because I don't want to do that much math.  If you don't want to be a professor, I don't see many advantages unless you feel like you would get a lot of personal enjoyment and satisfaction from completing intense math classes.  I'd rather spend that time taking stats/data science electives and getting research experience, so I'd go for the data science PhD.
    (There may be some areas/professions where the Math PhD will help you a lot in getting a position - for instance, maybe if you wanted to go into some type of quantitative finance position.  But for biostatistics or technology jobs, I don't think the difference between these programs would matter at all, and I think you could get a lot more research done/learn more practical stuff without the distraction of hard math classes that have nothing to do with statistics)
  22. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from BL4CKxP3NGU1N in California State University options - MS Statistics   
    Since cost is not a factor, I think location is really the biggest consideration.  Maybe people who grew up in California have more associations with these schools, but you're not choosing between schools that are at vastly different levels of prestige like Stanford vs CSU East Bay.  I don't think the availability of slightly more electives is a reason to uproot your life if you don't really want to.  CSU East Bay would be my choice for this reason.
  23. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Ryuk in Reasonable range for statistics PhD   
    Probably top 5, almost certainly top 10-12. If you're working with a prof on a deep learning project at one of those schools and can get a good letter from him, you're pretty set with your grades, extensive math coursework, and your school pedigree.  Statistics is not like CS where you need publications before applying.
  24. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Jim VK in Potential PhD schools list assessment   
    Where's the list?
  25. Upvote
    bayessays got a reaction from Jim VK in Reasonable range for statistics PhD   
    Probably top 5, almost certainly top 10-12. If you're working with a prof on a deep learning project at one of those schools and can get a good letter from him, you're pretty set with your grades, extensive math coursework, and your school pedigree.  Statistics is not like CS where you need publications before applying.
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