jdm11

That's an interesting and valid point! I will be sure to discuss that with the students when I visit each school.

@jaymeowmeow I actually heard from them yesterday! I emailed Dr. Polonik because I was worried I'd have bought a ticket to visit another school by the time Davis accepted me and told me their visit day and politely asked them to expedite the process for me for that reason. He said on March 1st "You will hear from us very soon (either this week or early next week). We are just about to wrap things up..." So I suppose you'll hear back within the next 7 days or so! Good luck. Also, thanks for the UCLA tip. I must have gotten rejected or waitlisted and they just haven't told me. I even emailed the dept last week and still no response haha oh well. In regards to visiting, I haven't done that yet. I visit Michigan on the 18th and Davis on potentially April 4th. That will definitely be a big factor. I'm mainly asking on this forum because I hope someone might bring something to my attention that I can talk about during the visit days for each school!

I posted this before in the general forums but decided it'd fit better here. As the title mentioned, I'm choosing between these two school (and UCLA if I get in...) for a Stat PhD. A bit about me. I'm an undergrad from Rice and I'm pretty sure I want to go into industry after grad school (google, walmart labs, some start-up. Think data science jobs). My research interests include statistical learning methods and graphical models. Here is a bit about each school that I've decided is important to help me make a decision. UC Davis Already in California. Accepted into this program that looks like it'll prepare me for a good first job in industry (http://www.stat.ucdavis.edu/research/nsf-rtg/index.html) $21,000 stipend over 9 months $5,000 summer fellowship for one month for the first two years No mention of TA duties but probs assume I'll have to TA each semester I'm there Michigan Much higher ranking (top 6-top 15 at most of the websites I've looked at) $2418.64/ month stipend with health and dental coverage $9690 summer stipend for first year only No TA duties for first year, and two semesters of my choosing between 2nd and 3rd Seems like Michigan is an obvious choice but I'm afraid it might be too theoretical/difficult for me to branch out and take other classes. I essentially want to take or audit up to the first year or two of the computer science major of whichever university I attend. Also, I'm from Houston, TX and have never been in the true cold vs Davis which is in California (where I'll probably want to work afterwards). Any help??

@fernandes yeah RGA is still a very good idea! They even give a shuttle to and from there from campus (I think it's 24 hours!). You'll enjoy Rice. Also, thanks! I definitely thought it would be better to change schools a bit. All of our engineering departments are stellar but the Stat dept has a bit of catching up to do since it's so small. They're in the process of hiring more faculty and expanding but many of them advised me to explore elsewhere haha. Will you be able to visit Rice before you decide?

As the title mentioned, I'm choosing between these two school (and UCLA if I get in...) for a Stat PhD. A bit about me. I'm an undergrad from Rice and I'm pretty sure I want to go into industry after grad school (google, walmart labs, some start-up. Think data science jobs). My research interests include statistical learning methods and graphical models. Here is a bit about each school that I've decided is important to help me make a decision. UC Davis Already in California. Accepted into this program that looks like it'll prepare me for a good first job in industry (http://www.stat.ucdavis.edu/research/nsf-rtg/index.html) $21,000 stipend over 9 months $5,000 summer fellowship for one month for the first two years No mention of TA duties but probs assume I'll have to TA each semester I'm there Michigan Much higher ranking (top 6-top 15 at most of the websites I've looked at) $2418.64/ month stipend with health and dental coverage $9690 summer stipend for first year only No TA duties for first year, and two semesters of my choosing between 2nd and 3rd Seems like Michigan is an obvious choice but I'm afraid it might be too theoretical/difficult for me to branch out and take other classes. I essentially want to take or audit up the first year or two of the computer science major of whichever university I attend. Also, I'm from Houston, TX and have never been in the true cold vs Davis which is in California (where I'll probably want to work afterwards). Any help??

Hi! I'm actually a senior undergrad student and wanted to chip in. I've stayed in apartments and as long as you don't keep rather expensive things in your car and lock your doors, you shouldn't feel too worried about theft. I've lived in a few apartments for the past few years and the worst that has happened was people rummaging through my car when I forgot to lock it. I've even left valuable things in there and for some reason they've never been stolen. Since then, I've always locked all doors and it's never been an issue. Also, there is a facebook group where students (undergrad and grad) both look for affordable places near the university. The link will be below. Just want to make sure you don't limit your options so soon :] Hope this helps! https://www.facebook.com/groups/845844578762879/