StatsG0d

@ar_rf: Thanks for the replies. I agree that my linear algebra could probably use a little tune-up. I'm not sure if going from random variables to random vectors is that trivial. I'll take a look at those books. Any opinions on Casella and Berger? @dickmwong: That was indeed the book I was talking about. I took Real Analysis, but we did not use that book and did not really touch on measure theory.

It's likely that you aren't alone in feeling like that. I went through a similar thing with Real Analysis. I think when you get to the more theoretical classes, it's absolutely vital to read the textbook, sometimes several times over. Each theorem that you are introduced to, read it 5-6 times over until you start to get a good grasp of it. Practice makes perfect. Try looking up exams online from other schools with their solutions. Even if you aren't able to solve all of them that's ok--just keep trying to see how to use theorems. On the admissions thing, I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think they would have accepted you if they felt like you didn't have the tools. I also find that in these types of classes the homework assignments are MUCH more difficult than the exams. Professors understand that you have so much more time and resources to do homework problems. Just hang in there. We've all been there.

As admissions decisions roll out, I was wondering what is the most difficult adjustment people have had to make entering their first year of graduate studies, particularly in statistics. Are the mathematics courses so much harder / different than in undergrad? Do you find your classmates collegial or does it seem more like a competition. Are stress levels manageable? In addition, did anyone do some math review the summer before the entering semester? Should one tirelessly study Rudin prior to entry? Thanks a lot.

Thanks a lot. If only other schools were as quick haha.

Trying to revive this thread for the Fall 2015 applicants. I read the whole thing, and it seems like everyone's concern is how conservative people are. Personally, I care not for politics, so if people are politically conservative I could care less. But what about when it comes to having fun? Like are people so morally involved with the Bible that they are not willing to go out and have some fun? Everyone talks about partying or whatever, I just want to make sure partying doesn't mean going to the bar for a few drinks and then going home alone every time.

Undergrad Institution: Top 100 Private, no math/statistics PhD programs offered Major(s): Economics Minor(s): Mathematics GPA: 3.81 Type of Student: DWM GRE General Test: Q: 164 (88%) V: 157 (74%) W: 5.0 (93%) GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: M: Did not take TOEFL Score: n/a Grad Institution: n/a Concentration: GPA: Programs Applying: PhD Statistics Research Experience: 1 year RA for undergrad professor; 2 years RA at international organization; Undergraduate thesis Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Magna Cum Laude; Alpha Sigma Nu; Received superior rating at current job Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Working as econometrics RA; volunteering as tutor Letters of Recommendation: 1 Econ professor (very well known); 1 biostatistics professor (well known); 1 math professor (not well known, but was the top performing student in his differential equations and real analysis classes) Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Coming from a relatively unknown university with mediocre GRE scores, I think my research experience and letters made the difference.

Just got accepted to Texas A&M with full financial support!

You should maybe consider contacting the department. Maybe they're putting you on a waitlist. I assume that it doesn't say anything on the application web site?

Just noticed the first acceptance to A&M Stats was posted today. Hopefully this isn't a sign of bad news for me :/

Assuming autocorrelation, then I guess you can expect either this week or early February. Good luck. That's a tough program to get into I think.

I guess this might happen for stats in the near future, given the increased competition among applicants in recent years.

Same boat. Looking at last year, it seems that statistics results just came out much later than biostats. It seems like many decision were made mid to late February.

Seems like everyone on here is a biostatistics applicant haha. Checking statistics acceptances last year, most didn't come out until mid- to late February. Guess I have nothing to worry about (yet). Congratulations to those of you who have been accepted and best of luck to those who haven't yet!

Thus far that doesn't look like much for statistics. What's weird is that only one school on my list (Purdue) out of 17 says my application is "Under Review." Not sure if some things just aren't updated or what. It's making me a little anxious haha.

I also think you're better off waiting until next year and applying to more programs (potentially better ones too). That said, if you're pretty set on going this year might as well apply. I'd say you have a good shot, but I'm unfamiliar with those programs. Maybe the engineering forums could provide better advice for computational sciences.

I think it's still very early and the only schools that would be accepting people so early would be those who review on a rolling basis.

Obviously your best option is to go to a PhD program if they accept you. Otherwise, the only thing that sounds logical would be number 2.

I think that you should retake the GRE and shoot for a higher math score, shooting for at least a 163 or 164 (which I feel is the consensus minimum, but I could be wrong). I would say that, once that is finished, you have a great chance at getting into the top 10, let alone the schools you listed. Good luck!

Ouch. Yeah I kind of heard that they were a little under water. I didn't realize it was that bad. Thanks a lot for the good wishes.

That's reassuring. Thanks for the response.

I just finished my application to Rutgers and realized that, although the app deadline is 1/15, the financial aid deadline was 12/1. Has anyone missed the deadline and still received aid? Furthermore, does this refer to just fellowships or also TA-ships? Thanks in advance!

To the OP: Just realized you're applying to MS and not PhD. You'll be strong at all those schools I am sure. BrainDrain: I don't think that will severely hurt you. I think a B is fine, particularly since you took it at the same university you are applying to. Good luck.

It's probably good enough for masters but I think the consensus on this forum is that a 163Q is the cutoff if you want to go to a PhD. I'm sure you're fine to do Iowa State's online masters. Honestly, I feel like most online programs are diploma mills anyway.

I think you have a decent shot but it looks like most of your B's are in important, theoretical courses (Probability and Stats, Multivariate, Linear Algebra) while your A's are in more applied courses. I'm not sure how that will look to the adcoms unless your university is known for deflating grades.

There's two parts you have to train for: the material and the endurance. For the material, I HIGHLY recommend Manhattan's Strategy Guides. They are expensive, but they go in depth into every possible thing that could be covered. And then, at the end of the book, they have challenge questions. For the endurance, you can usually find a few free practice tests but be aware that the majority of the free ones are intended to be VERY hard so that way you buy the rest of the practice questions and maybe other practice material. Try to mimic actual testing as much as possible (no water or snacks except on breaks, etc.). Still, there's nothing like the actual test. For example, I was scoring 169-170 consistently doing practices, and ended up with a 164 on the real one. Still not a bad score, but not nearly what I thought I was going to get. Good luck to you.