jaymeowmeow

Do you have a master's? I remember considering GW and not applying because they require a master's. (I'm talking about their PhD program.. If you mean their master's program, ignore what I said!) Whether you mean the Master's program or not, you need more than the minimum GPA generally to get in anywhere... Or at least a very high GRE score + a killer statement. I imagine 3.0 is about their minimum. Don't know how tough it is to get in, but see if they post thatinformation somewhere. Some schools do.

No, I didn't attend. Wanted to, but felt overwhelmed with the traveling I was doing and knew that other programs I was admitted to would be a better fit. I bet Santa Cruz is crazy beautiful! Sad to have missed it. I think NCSU student fees will be between 1200-1300 from what I remember seeing in their website. Hm, sounds like a tough decision. You seem to hint that on one hand, Boulder is a better program on paper. On the other, you will probably like Raleigh better than Boulder and NCSU has more people working on what you're interested in. Boulder would also be more costly, especially given that they don't fully cover health insurance in addition to the fees. I think once you visit Raleigh, you'll know your answer. I think it would be hard to live somewhere for so many years and not like it, so in many ways location/happiness there > rankings. That is sort of up to you though. If you end up feeling similarly about both cities, then maybe it would make sense to pick Boulder in that case. Enjoy your visits!!!

How are the TAship amounts comparatively? You don't have to give exact amounts if you don't want to. I also got an offer from Santa Cruz and Denver, but won't be going now that I know I prefer a straight-up statistics program. I thought CU Denver's TAship amount was pretty nice, but the program seems a bit small for me. Also, since I want to do stats and there are only two profs there who do stats, I would feel limited. I also applied to Boulder, but haven't gotten a decision yet so I must be waitlisted/rejected. I think it sounds like CU Boulder sort of wins in terms of the program (based on the pros you listed). You might be one a a smaller group at NCSU. However, I don't think location should be weighed less than you think. If you aren't happy where you're living, then maybe it's not worth it to go there! I personally love Colorado and the Boulder area is very nice and open with mountains/hills closeby, but it's so expensive!!!! I visited NCSU's stats PhD program and just didn't like the campus or Raleigh enough. In addition, the program didn't feel like the best fit for me, so that was ultimately why I ruled it out. Raleigh is a city, but it's not as lively as somewhere like Seattle or even London (never been there). For me, I don't really like big cities, so if I were to live in one, it'd better be a big, lively one with lots of stuff to do like Seattle, Boston, NYC, LA (meh), or San Francisco. Those are my two cents! Are either programs more prestigious than the other? I personally thinks rankings are bulllll, but they could be a tipping factor. Good luck!

Not that rankings really matter, but look carefully. It's their biostats department that is top 15. Their stats and OR department is #20 in total, but probably in the top 15 amongst just stats departments. I sort of hate US News for lumping biostats and stats together, which is why schools may appear twice on the list! I applied there and haven't heard back yet (I assume I'm on some last resort waitlist or about to be rejected once their class is full), but I know someone who got in there and is strongly considering it. He told me it's more theory-based, but I would take that with a grain of salt. Departments that are more theory-based generally just tend to teach their classes in a way that is more theory oriented. I'm sure your research can be whatever you want if you find the right advisor, but my guess is that the classes will be taught more theoretically. Shared what little I know.... hope that helps a little!

Hi, before I address your question.. I was wondering when did you hear from Davis? (I applied there and got asked for a phone call by a prof, and haven't heard since then, two weeks ago now.) Also, UCLA Stat PhD hasn't gotten you a decision yet? I know people who got in (I did not) and already attended a visit day. Now to your questions..... Have you visited both programs yet? That will honestly be one of the only ways you know for sure which program to go with. The money sounds somewhat comparable at both schools minus TA duties, so I think you should look at who the professors are and who you would like to work with. Once you visit, you'll get a feel for whether you want to live in that place for 5 years. It sounds like Michigan would be a bit far for you, but that you're also considering the prestige of the program. It is different for everyone, but personally I think "ranking" is most arbitrary for stats grad programs. Sure, you may want the extra "wow" factor, but ultimately the job market is good enough that you will be hired upon graduation even if you attended a program unranked. A PhD in Stats will get you that far (as long as you put forth the effort) no matter where you go. So, if you have visited either program, it would be useful to know what you thought. If you haven't, let that be the deciding factor.

No, but I'm curious as to what you feel about stats vs. actuarial science. I also don't know much about actuarial science... and what a Ph.D in it would entail? And by MSU, do you mean Missouri State? I don't want to assume anything You could mean Michigan State and I wouldn't know it.

Hi all, I just got this email from a professor at UC Davis inviting me to chat on the phone. We've scheduled only a 15 minute window (which seems too short for an actual interview). Here is some of what the email says: "I'm writing today in regard to your application to our PhD program here in the Department of Statistics at UC Davis. We are impressed with your application and would love to have a brief chat on the phone. Basically, we want to see if you have any questions for us and just to let know that you are high up on our list of candidates. We also want to make sure you have a direct method to contact us if there is any question or concern you might have." l know they have already made some offers, so is this their way of saying they like me, but they're unsure? I feel like a teenage girl again reading too much into a boy's text haha... I want to think that they are close to making me an offer, and simply wanted to reach out, but I don't want to be presumptuous. Thoughts or similar experiences? Thank you!

I am still pretty new to grad cafe, so I may very well be stepping on the toes of an already existing thread, but what the hay? I'll give it a go because I love stories! I also love how maybe I can learn from and be enlightened by your experiences. Tell the story of your Ph.D program decision process. It is 4+ years of your life, so a significant amount of time! Where did you go? What where your other options? How did you end up choosing? Are you happy with your choice? Anything you regret? Who really wins in the location vs. ranking battle (saw some threads in this!)? These are just a few of many possible questions you may address. Please write about anything. If you feel so kind, any sage advice you can give us incoming candidates would surely be appreciated! Thanks!

I wish I could help you, but I probably know as much about the program as you do.. I applied there too and haven't heard back from them yet. Congratulations! I'm guessing if you hear from other schools, they might be, on paper, better options than Riverside. But really, a visit is the only way you'll know if you like it! I'm from Southern California, and Riverside is the uber hot valley/desert part of the LA region. I have never been a fan, but I heard it has developed quite nicely in recent years. So, there is a lot more to do now! Good luck!

nissl, thanks for your reply! I applied to a LOT of programs, so maybe I'll shoot an email to the ones I would consider attending, given that I have two offers. How much is CSU's student fees? They haven't given me the official offer yet, so I don't know. Submitted my official CSU app over the weekend, so I guess I should know soon. Darn those student fees!!!!! Are you visiting CSU next week, too? PM me if you are! I saw on the results page that waitlisted people are supposed to find out March 11th if they're accepted to CSU. Makes sense that is the latest date they gave you.

Thanks! This is helpful. I will definitely wait a couple weeks before asking about extending that decision deadline. To answer some of your questions (which may have been rhetorical): CSU's offer was for 9 months. They said you teach over the summer and then you can get it for 2 more months. I think the extra money would be somewhat needed. Right now I'm in a program that gives a 12.5k stipend over the course of 8 months (they skipped January), and it hasn't been enough. I think the price of apply to grad school has been a huge factor on that, but I feel that since moving here, I've been behind every month financially. It's doable, but a bit stressful. I think 1785 a month is fine if my moving costs and all that jazz were covered first. But then again, real life means there will always be unanticipated costs that I should try to just save for. I will definitely look for external scholarships. I've been slow on that since the application process for grad school has been so taxing. NC State is a better program on paper, and it's bigger (which I'm not sure I want), but I applied because I know how good of a program it is. I would seriously consider it if I feel that it would provide me better opportunities and all that. I didn't even think I would get in! Also, if my California options don't pan out, Colorado and NC State are amazing options. If I didn't have parental pressure to go back to Cali, I would not have 2nd thoughts about being out-of-state and even as far away as the East Coast from SoCal. Applying to non-California schools was my way of being a bit rebellious.

Thanks!

More specifically, I have applied to mostly Ph.D in Statistics programs (some applied math/math programs with stats focus). What should I be asking on my visits? Who must I talk to? What must I know before leaving? I visit two programs next week. I want to make sure I ask everything I should know before deciding which program is the best fit for me. (Also please feel free to direct me to any past threads that may be helpful)

Hi all, I was admitted to Colorado State (CSU) in their Ph.D in Statistics program. I really love the program, but am still waiting to hear from 14 other programs! It is one of my top choices, but is a bit far from my family (SoCal). I love Colorado, so I would choose it in a heartbeat if all the cards were right. Anyway, I have two problems: 1) Their unofficial acceptance email said that they would like me to tell them my decision by March 1st. I'm visiting on 2/22, but have a feeling I won't have heard back from all my programs by March 1st! When they say "if possible", let them know, how much wiggle room do you think I have? Should I tell them that they're one of my top programs, but I just need more time to decide? Not sure if other programs do this with such an early deadline. 2) I also got into NC State's Ph.D in Stats program. They offered me a TAship of $2083.33 a month for 9 months, plus everything else except like $2600 a year in student fees. CSU offered me only $1785 a month for TA stipend (and I'm not sure of other offerings like health insurance and student fees). Are these negotiable? I feel like if it comes down to it and CSU is the more feasible and better fitting program for me, I'd like to try and get a higher monthly stipend amount. This is especially something I want to do since cost of living is a little bit higher in Fort Collins than in Raleigh. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

He submitted it today! Thanks for the advice. I sent him an email playing it cool, but also checking in to make sure things were okay. He said he got swamped with finals, which is understandable. All is good now! This was my first post on thegradcafe, thanks for making it great!!!