Bayesian1701

The senate bill passed. The passed version didn’t touch the education credit and still has tax free tuition waivers for grad students. Now both the senate and the house have to agree on an identical bill. Hopefully in the end the senate education provisions will stay. The senate bill relies on the individual mandate for health insurance to be repealed and a different tax bracket structure to afford to keep the education benefits. As a prospective graduate student, I am hoping universities will fund me with scholarships to cover tuition. For what I understand if universities don’t fund every admitted student and make the scholarship independent of being a RA/TA then a tuition scholarship would be tax free. If a university funds all of its PhD students why not make tuition cheap/free and then waive it. I hope universities can come up with a solution because I think they have options if tuition waivers become taxable. If you want an easy way to contact your representatives you can use the countable app on a smartphone. Through the app you can message, call, or video message your representatives. Here is a form letter that I wrote that you can easily customize. As a potential graduate student, I am concerned that the final tax reform bill will include a provision that would make tuition waivers for employees of universities taxable. In most cases receiving a funding package for graduate school that includes a stipend for work and a tuition waiver is competitive. Students never receive the tuition waiver money in their bank accounts. Graduate stipends are small and most of them are at or under $30,000. I have been running the numbers on what taxable tuition would mean for me (insert). Graduate education increases the earning potential of individuals and education incentives encourage higher education which in the end raises government revenue through higher incomes. This provision only increases revenue by 65 million over 10 years according to the house committee’s estimate. But this provision would discourage graduate education which will have negative effects on our future as a nation. I believe this provision would especially impact our nations competitiveness in STEM. America needs more STEM graduates and I believe this provision would lower the STEM workforce. I do not think the small increase in revenue is worth the cost to our great country. I urge you to fight for tax-free tuition waivers in the final bill.

The waiting is already awful. I have sent 4/9 applications, and I am waiting to submit my other 5 until I have fall grades since 3 of my classes are related to my field and I am expecting As in them. I couldn't wait for grades for the first 4 because the deadline was before my semester was over. I have checked the results surveys to get an expectation on when I should hear from each school and it's going to be a long 2 months or so. I guess I am going to learn patience.

Yes. PM me if you want to swap.

I am also an applicant so I am not an expert. I have however read the applicant profiles for the past few years and studied the results survey. I don't understand the GPA scale so I can't comment on that. Your math grades are good. Your GRE quant score is perfect which is great, but your verbal and AWA is a little low for an international student applying to top programs. There is a thread dedicated to the relative unimportance of SOP for stats programs at the top of the forum. If you are applying for programs in this cycle I don't know how you can get meaningful research experience in a month or two. Your list is long but it consists of mainly top programs. A lot of the schools on your list (WashU, Columbia, etc.) highly suggest the Math GRE but it is too late for you to take it for this cycle. Your current lack of a TOEFL score may exclude you from most programs. Take the TOEFL ASAP if you are applying for this cycle. Almost all of the schools on your list are highly competitive, especially for international students. Consider adding some less competitive programs to your list and removing those which have early deadlines and require the TOEFL. If you don't have a valid TOEFL by the deadline it is probably not worth applying since some programs can not accept you without a TOEFL above the threshold. Read up on the TOEFL requirements before you submit the application. Some schools with later deadlines include: Florida State (2/1), Kansas State (1/15), Missouri (1/15), Baylor (1/15), Virginia Tech (1/15). If you don't require funding consider applying to MS programs they have later deadlines and are less competitive. You could apply to PhD programs after you get a US Masters.

Can anyone explain if giving out scholarships instead of waivers is an option in general? Scholarships are still tax exempt if they are used for tuition. I figure it is too late for universities to do anything with aid packages for the spring 2018 semester, but is it possible that universities give scholarships instead of waivers for future semesters? Scholarships do have to be merit-based and can't require work, but would scholarships be a viable option? I found a Forbes Op-Ed that makes it sound like scholarships are an option. I am still not sure if the bill will pass but I might be overly optimistic.

I am also an applicant for this cycle so I am not an expert. However, since you are an international student and you need funding I would focus on middle-tier and lower-tier programs. How much math do you have? Do you have any experience with proof based mathematics? Also are you interested in Bayesian statistics? My suggestions on schools to start are: Virginia Tech, Missouri, Kansas State, Florida State, and Baylor to start.

I am also an applicant for this cycle so I am by no means an expert. I am not sure if you want to apply to both the MS and PhD program at the same school or mix up your applications so that you only apply to MS programs at some schools. Columbia and Duke consider you for their MS if you get rejected from PhD and check that box on your application, and I imagine most other schools would do this as well. I would definitely not apply to both the MS and PhD programs at the same school, and I would go for the PhD program. I would imagine funding would be difficult to get as an MS student for top programs so you might want to consider that if you apply to MS programs instead of PhD programs at certain schools. I have read the applicant profiles and results survey to better understand my personal odds. From what I have read, you have a shot at getting into a top program. You have some research experience, good math grades, and your GRE looks good. But you can not guarantee acceptance to a top program. If you want to add some more safety schools then go for it. I don't think people regret applying to safeties like some regret aiming too high. Your list right now is very competitive and I would personally add a few less competitive programs but it ultimately up to you.

I think getting a tax bill to pass in the senate is going to be difficult. Honestly I think there are at least 3 republican senators that could be successfully persuaded to vote no (not necessarily for this reason but in general) because they do not like the plan. The tax exemption on tuition waivers isn’t cut in the current senate bill. Hopefully it will stay that way. My fear would be that the senate would cave on this position in conference (if it even passes the senate) and cut all the education tax benefits. Not in grad school yet, but if this does actually happen it will definitely influence my decision. I might add a few more lower tuition schools to my application list to be safe.

Definitely considering emailing them and asking any questions you have. They are very responsive and helpful. They paid for my hotel and gas (it was impractical for me to fly but they offered to buy me a plane ticket). They confirmed 6 spots for this cycle (all funded) and they start sending out responses in February. Baylor's average gre scores of admitted students (from the department) are about 90% quant and 70% verbal (they don't care about AWA). Also, 1701 is a star trek reference. Assuming the rest of your application is good and you aren't exclusively applying to top programs your GRE score shouldn't ruin your chances. Totally agree that the waiting game sucks. Also anyone want to trade SOPs? Mine is done.

Visited Baylor this week and loved it. Changing my list to: Baylor (first choice), Duke, Columbia, UT Austin, Missouri, Kansas State, Florida State, and Virginia Tech. My list is probably final at this point. I guess it is time to start customizing SOPs.

I am also an applicant for this cycle so take my advice with a grain of salt. I don't think your AWA is that bad. You can look around in the results and compare it, but I would think it's fine. Maybe replace one of the higher ranked programs with something a little bit easier to get into. I am changing my 3rd letter based on whether the program is more math focused (using real analysis professor), or interdisciplinary (using research ethics professor). I would think a letter from your supervisor from your tutoring job would be better than another pure math professor.

I am also an applicant for the 2018 cycle looking to do (Bayesian) social science statistics. I am only applying to Statistics PhD Programs. Since I want to do Bayesian statistics that limits my options even more. I have had some trouble finding professors/programs that do social science statistics. The advice I was given by my professors was to be clear about your interests and see if they think you are a good fit. I am looking for a department that is flexible on what field their students apply statistics to. Here is my current list: UT Austin (Math heavy program, not a lot of social science research) Baylor (very biostatistics focused, applying because of its Bayesian focus) Florida State (don't recommend for you, applying since I have connections) University of Missouri- Columbia (seems to do a lot of social science statistics from what have read) Kansas State (applying because extremely interested in one professor's research) Columbia (applying because extremely interested in one professor's research) Virginia Tech (applying because they have a lot of Bayesian statisticians compared to other departments on my list) Duke (applying because of the Bayesian focus) Check out Missouri and see if you like it. Economics programs with Econometrics may be a better fit. Hopefully someone more knowledge will have more advice.

I want to create a thread for applicants to Statistics MS and PhD programs to discuss schools to apply to, chance each other, exchange SOPs, and later discuss admissions results. I personally am applying to Statistics PhD programs and am hoping to specialize in applied Bayesian statistics. I am a domestic female applicant. I am applying to Baylor (first choice), Duke (reach), Missouri, Florida State, Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Rice, and Southern Methodist University. I am also applying to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

If you are seriously considering applying for the Fall 2018 I would sign up for the GRE very quickly. At least in my area the spots fill up pretty quickly. I think a great GRE score (95% on Math) would improve your odds. I might consider taking the GRE Math subject test to show that you have a strong math background. You may not have strong relationships with your professors, but do you think you can at least get 1 decent letter from one of your statistics professors? I would focus on applying to less competitive schools if you decide to go straight into a PhD program. Look at the results survey and find where people with similar stats got in. Make sure to mainly focus on the results for domestic students, since the application process is usually more competitive for international. The results survey doesn't show all factors, but there have definitely been people with worse GPAs that have gotten in to some programs. What is your GPA in just your math and stat classes? It looks like it would be higher than a 3.68. If it is higher highlight it on your CV. I would also apply to masters programs as a back up. I don't think their are a lot of opportunities to gain statistics research experience outside of a graduate program (I might be wrong though). Doing a year or two in a masters program may not be a bad thing. You could get rec letters and research experience and then you would know if you really like research.

To attempt to find information I look at a variety of sources. I have emailed a couple programs, and have gotten a variety of responses, but most of the time they are pretty vague. I always ask for the starting stipend, but I don't always get that information. I emailed Baylor for more information and they told me there was 23k and they only admit funded students and have 6-7 spots. There is a survey of PhD stipends here: http://www.phdstipends.com/results, but it doesn't have a lot of data points so I look at the stipends for other STEM programs at that school. A lot (but not all) of the result survey responses have information on funding package( I would focus on the domestic students since I have occasionally found data on https://www.indeed.com/ about the average stipend at a school. $18000-20000 seems pretty standard at state schools (sometimes regardless of cost of living), and private colleges seem to pay a little more. There is also the possibility of getting an enhancement or fellowship that might raise the stipend at some programs. If you are trying to figure out the specialty of the school look at job placements and research areas of faculty. On the GRE side, I am using Magoosh (which I recommend) and Manhattan Prep but 10 practice tests in I am still at 164-166 in quant. The counting/statistics/probability questions are pretty easy to me, but I miss some of the more obscure geometry and coordinate geometry (which I will probably never use again). I was surprised at how difficult it is to get a 90%+ percentile score in quant, but its probably because most GRE test takers are trying to get into a STEM program. I might do better than I expect on test day, but I am pretty confident I will get at least a 164 in quant.

Here is my profile Undergrad Institution: Public State School (not flagship) Major: Math, minor in Economics, expected graduation May 2018 GPA: 3.7 Type of Student: domestic female Upper Division Courses: Proof(A), Math Stat I (A+), Diff Eq. (A), Programming(B) (horrible professor), Calc III (B), Calc II(A), Linear Alg. (A), Math Stat II(A), Real Analysis I (A), Numerical Analysis(B), Will take Abstract Algebra and Real Analysis II, GRE: Taking in August, Estimate: 165Q/157V Undergraduate Research: Independent long term project 10 hours a week for over a year, preparing to send manuscript to journals Plan to apply to: Duke, Rice, Baylor, Florida State, Southern Methodist, Kansas State, Missouri, South Carolina (?) That was a typo thanks for pointing that out. My GPA is a little lower and my GRE will probably also be lower. I have basically no teaching experience, but I have done a lot of research. Some of the very top programs do require the math subject GRE but I am avoiding schools that require it. I definitely want to go into applied Bayesian statistics. I am strongly considering a career in academia, but I want go to a program that has good placement in both industry and academia. I am applying to Duke and Baylor because they are Bayesian focused. The rest of my programs are mainly medium sized programs with a lot of variety of research. Duke is my reach, Baylor is my first choice, and the rest are programs that I have identified that meet my criteria. I made my list based on research matches, good funding relative to the cost of living, location, and most importantly probability of acceptance. Every program on my list had at least 2 professors (preferably more) whose research I was interested in.

Edit: Fixed second to last sentence. I am also applying to Fall 2018 Statistics Ph.D. programs so I am not an expert, but I would hope you would get in a PhD program somewhere since I am probably a similar level of applicant. Duke has admission stats on their Phd program here: https://gradschool.duke.edu/about/statistics/statistical-science-phd-admissions-and-enrollment-statistics. Duke, UNC, and NC State are pretty competitive schools, and I assume Carnegie Mellon would be as well. I would drop the masters applications and add a few middle tier Phd programs (Florida State, South Carolina), unless you have a specific reason to apply to WVU and Depaul. I would check to see if any of those schools require the GRE Math Subject Test (I know Duke and VT don't), and avoid programs that require it since it is a very difficult exam even for math majors. From what I have read some programs will offer rejected PhD applicants acceptance to their masters program. Do you know what you want to do with a PhD in statistics or what you want to specialize in (biostat, Bayesian, applied, theoretical etc)?

I am also applying to PhD Statistics programs this fall and I am not an expert by any means but I have some advice. I would take a practice GRE very soon (if you haven't already) to see where you are at. My goal is 157+ on verbal and 165+ on quantative (quant). The GRE quant section has some quirks with format and content so I would definitely start studying for it. If you haven't booked a date for the test by now do it very soon because dates fill up. I am applying to middle tier and lower tier schools (Baylor, Rice, Florida State, South Carolina, Kansas State, SMU) and Duke (which is a reach) and that score seems to be competitive for domestic students. I would try to get letters from past professors. Find one that is approachable and try to get them to help you through the process. Figure out what schools the professors at your college went to. They may have connections at University X where their dissertation advisor is now the graduate program director or head of the admission committee. If you think have an idea of your focus (applied statistics, probability theory, biostatistics, financial statistics, etc. etc.) try to look for a program that fits your ideal specialty. If all you know is that you want to be a statistician don't apply to niche schools and go somewhere broad (Rice and UT would be broad programs).

I am planning on applying to 8-10 Statistics Ph.D. programs, but one school is definitely my first choice. I am trying to keep this question pretty general because I am sure that other people are in a similar situation. The program has everything I want: research in my specific field (applied Bayesian statistics), great funding, departmental focus on Ph.D. program, ideal funding, weather, you name it. It's a program that I have a fairly good shot at getting into, but there is still a chance I will get rejected. I want to make sure the admission committee at this school understands that I really want to go there. I also can easily travel for a visit when ever I want. I am thinking about applying in September/October (the deadline is December) and also making a visit in the fall to attempt to show my strong interest. I also want to mention that the program is my first choice in my SOP. I am worried that I will come off either as desperate or as a brown noser that probably told every other school they were her first choice. I am also worried that I may not get the best funding package (tuition waivers and a stipend of $23k are standard with this program but there are enhancements) because I gave the impression that I would attend no matter what they gave me. How do I effectively show interest in a program and up my chances of an admittance and a good funding package? Will an early visit in the fall and mentioning that this program is my first choice help or hurt me?

I am applying to Statistics Ph.D. programs this fall and I am not taking the GRE Mathematics Subject test since none of the programs I am applying to require it. You should check with each program you are interested in, but most should not require it and some won't even consider it. If you apply only to MS programs you will probably not get funding, some people don't get funding for Ph.D. programs. If finances aren't and issue and you can fork out the money for tuition then you would have better chances than someone who would need funding. I would also throw in a couple of lower ranked programs as safeties. You really can't get research experience in a semester. I would try to connect with professors you already know since it would be difficult to get to know a professor enough for a rec letter in less than a semester when you consider deadlines.

How common is it for Statistics PhD programs to fly out prospective/admitted domestic students? I am trying to plan for possibly buying multiple plane tickets for visits (I would like to visit all programs that admit me with funding). In particular for the following programs: Rice University Kansas State University University of Missouri - Columbia Florida State University Virginia Tech University University of South Carolina North Carolina - Chapel Hill

I am applying to Statistics PhD programs for the 2018 season. I have done a few practice tests on verbal and quant and thus past week I did my first essays. The argument essay I get, but the issue task is not up my alley at all. I would give myself right now a 2.5 on Issue and a 4 on Arguement. My verbal is around 160, and my quant is around 163 (trying to get it up to 165+). I am a native English speaker, and I have a research paper I am working on getting published as a writing sample. Does my AWA score really even matter? Do the separate scores (i.e. I-2.5, A-4) get reported or is there just the final score on the score reports sent to colleges?

My undergraduate major is Mathematics and a minor in Economics, and my college offers three real stats classes (Mathematical Stat 1/2, Stats for Engineers/Scientists (applied calculus based stats). I know that Statistics undergraduate programs aren't that common (at least compared to math), and that I don't need a stats major/minor to get into grad school for stats. I would like to self-study a little more stats before I (hopefully) start atStats grad program in Fall 2018. For those of you with an undergraduate minor/major what classes did you take and what textbooks did you use? I have Wackerly Math Stat already. I am looking for textbook suggestions that are more undergraduate focused and do not require anything above Real Analysis I. I would like a Regressions book and a book on Bayesian Statistics for sure, and anything else that you think would be helpful.

I get paid to do my research and I can work as little or as much as I want. I have been doing research basically my entire undergradiate career. I have done a little tutoring on the side, but other than that I have no teaching experience. I am applying for fall 2018 PhD programs in Statistics. I can get cut back on research next year and do tutoring or lead supplemental classes on math next year. Is it worth it to cut back on my research? I know in other fields it is more important to have teaching experience, but is teaching experience necessary in for applications in Stats/Math?

I took the kaplan free test and got a 164Q/155V. My goal would be 166+Q and a combined score of 325+. I don't like video based programs like Magoosh, I learn better by reading instead of watching. I have bought ETS power pack, 5 pound book of GRE problems, and Manhattan Vocab book with 6 online tests. I think I don't need any more practice problems, because this is over 3,000 problems and I have 6 months to study. What are some good books for advanced strategy?