Undergraduate:
UC Santa Barbara
B.S. Mathematics, Anthropology minor
3.76 cumulative GPA
3.65 major GPA (much higher grades in second 2 years)
Other Experience:
Two semesters of independent study in the mathematics department (not stats related) with excellent LOR from advisor. Programming experience in Python and R.
Research/Presentations:
Two years as a medical research assistant. Work involved a combination of designing/coordinating clinical trials and conducting epi research using monte carlo simulation models. Coauthor on two abstracts (one clinical, one model-based). Several publications in the works, including one first-author data analysis. Not sure these will be published by the time I apply.
Letters of Recommendation:
One from Mathematics professor who I conducted independent study with. One from Biochemistry professor I got to know quite well. One from PI from research assistant position (biostatistician at top medical school).
Interests:
I am interested in computational statistics and machine learning. I want to work as a data scientist and keep the door open for a PhD down the road. Despite my background, I am not particularly interested in biostatistics programs.
Considering Applying to:
Columbia - MS in Statistics
University College of London - CSML
UCLA - MS in Statistics
Georgia Tech - CSE
Edinburg - Statistics and OR
UNC - INSTORE
UT Austin - MS in Statistics
UCSB - MA in Statistics (alma mater)
Am I aiming too high? Are there any programs I am missing that I might have a good shot at that emphasize the computational aspects of statistics?