[Which Master of Data Science, Statistics, Analytics Program is the best? Pros & Cons]

Stanford is the best and it's not even close. Especially for what you want to do.

[Profile Evaluation for Stats Master]

Just wanted to submit an update. I took the GRE this afternoon and scored 165 on Verbal and 167 on Quant. Is this in range for top tier master's programs?

[Profile Evaluation for Stats Master]

If you're looking at a terminal masters, I think you're selling yourself too short. Apply also to Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvard. I'm fairly confident you can get into at least one of these.

 

With that said, you should really consider applying to PhD programs directly if you're considering one down the road. If you decide to leave early, you'll get your masters. Just my .02.

 

That's not a bad idea. I'd probably have to aim lower if I want to get a PhD though, right? Maybe the best thing for me to do is apply to a combination of higher ranked Master's programs and lower ranked PhDs to keep my options open. Thanks for the advice!

[Profile Evaluation for Stats Master]

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?