Statapplicant2017

For someone who might want to strengthen their application to PhD programs, are there masters programs that would serve that purpose better than the USnews top 10?

Alternatively for someone interested in doing applied statistics work but wanting to leave the door open to return to a PhD in the future would an MS in stats be the sweet spot between the 3? (Stats,Biostats,Applied Math)

I've always wondered how the stipends in California and New york aren't double the stipends of midwestern or southern schools.

I have room for 1 more class in the fall and seeing as it will be the last full semester graduate schools will see on my application I want to make it count! Here are my choices: A measure theory independent study. I don't think I have any or much exposure to measure theory and I am reading it is very helpful for graduate level probability/stats. A con I see for this is that I will probably be taking a class in this my first year into a program so having this before hand doesn't look or help me THAT much (or does it?) Another option is a graduate level time series analysis class. Here is the catalog description: Analytic and computer methods for time series analysis, including the time domain (autocorrelation) and frequency domain (spectral) approach. I am thinking/have been told this would show I am serious about becoming a statistician and doing well in a graduate class as an undergrad may help. Lastly there are other independent studies I could do of almost any topic. I could do something very niche and interesting that might help grad schools decide on me and be very fun and interesting at the same time TLDR: Space for 1 class in the fall to help my grad application/prepare me for stats grad school 1) Measure theory independent study 2) grad level Time series analysis class 3) Niche prob/stats independent study

Well $1 goes a lot farther in Tallahassee than it does in California AND they are offering more. I don't think the money will matter that much though? UCLA doesn't have qualifying exams if that entices you. It sure makes it tempting to me. UCLA and FSU also have great college sports (and LA has major pro teams) so to me it'd be between those. I think I would have a hard time living in such a big city. FSU has name recognition in the southeast and UCLA is pretty well known everywhere. I'd probably pick UCLA. Edit: Would you mind posting your stats? # of REUs, GPA range, GRE ect? Nothing that you feel would identify you but UCLA and FSU are on my list of schools and I am curious where I stack up