I_Charge_by_the_foot

I just got the award!!! I'll post my statements later, I'm so excited. I've worked so hard for this day and to finally get a big payoff like this is a huge relief. Almost makes the tragic story in my past worth it.

Thank you, my friend. I'm going to take your advice and rearrange my scholarships and provide a brief overview of what each one looks for. Admittedly, I am slightly reluctant to describe some scholarships because many of them were awarded based on financial need---this was an orchestrated effort on my part since I come from a very poor family. I simply spent my time wisely. Arguably, it's in my best interest to be vague on need scholarships, and in general, to show no pattern of deceitful behavior.

How do I list scholarships in the scholarships and awards section? I have so many and I don't know how to organize them. I'm doing old to new, and listing only the tuition waiver amount for ones above 50%. Is this a good idea?

The best way to get better at english is speaking it/writing it more often. To learn by emersion is best. The present progressive is used to describe an event that you have done, are doing, or will be doing. The key is "-ing". E.g., If you start reading and writing in English more often you are bound to become more fluent. I assume you speak it well enough to be understood, but if your goal is to write better I recommend two things: read and write more. Now, I have a specific recommendation: read books that you've read in your native language, but the english version. Understanding the ideas is difficult enough, but if you are familiar with the work this will help. Next, I recommend perusing forums like Reddit or some professional equivalent that you're interested in to learn about what you like while improving your english. Funny enough, I recommend online gaming like MMORPGs like Runescape (a childhood game I played, but is still around) League Of Legends, etc.

4-4.5, not bad. you'll be able to get away with <4 grammar mistakes without it outright affecting your score since the graders understand small mistakes occur in a time crunch. The bigger point is cogency. You have that.

I did this. And I don't think it'll make a difference. Ask the program director though. I lied and said I had technical problems on their end. Worth a shot.

Listen, I've taken the GRE three times (see attached photo or https://imgur.com/a/ULiIj) and here is what I can tell you: the GRE is a lot harder to game than the ACT. I improved from a 26 to a 31 on the ACT with a lot of studying. On the GRE, however, I have fluctuated from a 156-161 verbal, 165-166 quant, and a consistent writing score. Some days I just do better on reading (because I read material before hand to get into the reading mindset!!! this technique is truly helpful). The only reason why I improved on quant, in my honest opinion, is because I fixed a mistake at the very very last second. No other reason, and I'm certain of that. I spent tons of time trying to isolate my weak areas. This is the only thing I can recommend that you do: find where you're weak, and practice there (but intermittently practice all other areas too). I would recommend retaking the GRE, IF AND ONLY IF, you know you have a VERY strong application everywhere else. You can't make shit smell good. I.e. you can't get a good GRE score to make a bad SOP look good, to make no research experience look good, or to make no work experience look good (unless you get a damn-near perfect score). If you have a strong application everywhere else, then retake the GRE. Otherwise, lower your standards and aim for a school with a strong program and a decent name. (AKA rankings between 15-30). I'm EXACTLY in this position, unfortunately, so I know what I'm taking about.

I'm with sherpa, check the average of the program. You want to aim for those at a minimum. On top of that, a perfect score on any of the sections is impressive and will raise an eyebrow, however, the sections that matter most is Verbal and Quant. Note, some school don't even publish their writing scores. You could, perhaps, mention it in your SOP, but I don't think that's a place to discuss any negatives. Depending on the program (and its average), I'd probably just retake it. For example, my AWA score is the only consistent score during all THREE of my sittings for the GRE... I bet yours wont waiver much, if at all, between 5.5-6.0.

I've taken the GRE 3 times and gotten all 5 for the AWA. My opinion on your writing style: you make so many grammar mistakes. You did a good job including an example, and it's the only reason why I'm not giving you a 2.5. Your example was decent at demonstrating your point, but it could be improved. For example, I rewrote your introduction while making as few changes as possible to keep it close to what you wrote. "The term ‘success’ usually comes as a result of hard work. We cannot say that a successful person has reached their current position by luck or chance. Success generally requires planning and preparation. The methodology of taking chances or risks to achieve success does not seem as effective as does careful and cautious planning. Inherently, planning is the guideline to the path of success, and good planning takes into account chances and risks." As is common with a lot of non-native English speakers, you NEED to use "the" and "a" more. This is how any english speaker can identify a non-native English speaker.

I'll discuss GRE. I've been interviewed for a couple mba programs. They generally have the same traits: average to slightly above average AWA score, 90th%+ for quant, and 70th%+ for Verbal. But work experience can offset mediocre scores (but not by much!!!). There is a trade off for a lower verbal score and a higher quant score. You can have a lower verbal if your quant is high and you can demonstrate coherent/cogent writing in the person statement. IF you have to submit a video essay, rehearse a half dozen times on skype with a mate and have them give you negative feedback. Sounding like a good speaker and having good essays will compensate for lower verbal. Research/work is the only demonstrable compensation for a lower quant, which is obviously harder to signal.

Your application is competitive. No one cares about AWA as long as you're >=4

I'll give you a review. About me: I went to nationals for student congress (essay writing/speech giving) here in the USA and I've won dozens of scholarships based on essay prompts. I've gotten 5s on every GRE I have taken (3 of them). Mistakes you've made: "the humanity", "profound impact" =>impacts, "of computer" => of the computer, "... in almost everywhere in the world" (this makes no sense) => in almost every corner of the world, "the statement mentions" statement => prompt, "As the world is developing day by day" (this makes no sense). -ing implies progressive tense (still occuring!) this means that as the world is changing day by day—you basically are saying 'As the world is changing day by day day by day', ... tbh you're making an insane amount of grammar mistakes. A 3 would be generous. You assume I know what quantum mechanics is (you should always explain what aspect you're referring to). You write very short sentences which doesn't work with your writing style. Try and write more thorough paragraphs like your third paragraph. Your conclusion is decent. I'd assume it'd be paired with a 3 or 3.5, but your intro and second paragraph are really no good. Here is a format you should focus on using: (I call this the FIRST/FURTHERMORE/FINALLY) introduction include a nice introductory sentence that acts as an axiom/adage/aphorism briefly introduce 2 strong points. Say how you'll analyze each point, then how you'll wrap them together Point 1("FIRST") "first, [point 1]" explain how it relates to the prompt on a philosophical level "For example,..." explain how your point relates to a real example Point 2 ("FURTHERMORE") "first, [point 2]" explain how it relates to the prompt on a philosophical level "For example,..." explain how your point relates to a real example Analysis ("All together, point 1 and point 2...") explain why these two points matter to the prompt interconnect these ideas with an example Conclusion ("Finally") summarize point 1. summarize point 2 summarize analysis and interconnectedness. This is a better way to write than the 3-point/5 paragraph answer because you only have to focus on two points, only two examples (or a couple if you're fast), you get more time on each example, each point, each analysis, and can create better transitions. Make sure you use phrases they like to hear: "For example," "For instance," "Connecting the ideas,", "What this means to the big picture"... stuff that indicates YOU UNDERSTAND.

As long as you get the point across that you can write succint and cogent points, utilize prose and propper grammar, and can get the point across without losing the reader while using valid and credible sources, you'll be fine. definitely include references

I used a paper I wrote at a summer REU in math. There is literally no "template" per se. Hopefully, you have done a long-enough essay for class. I would submit just that.

I've gotten all 5s on my essays (taken the gre 3 times). It doesn't mean I know a lot, but it helps to hear my perspective. So, errors (tons of them): "they", "evident", "supporting this point may strengthen the argument well," "Even, lesser or excess," "sport and it is,"... You have quite a handful of grammatical errors. You're better off memorizing perfectly written lines that are generic enough to insert in places you know they fit. For example, the introduction can almost all be trivially written and plugged into all argument essays with a handful of keywords. I recommend watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRj0CAiIehs. This guy really hits home what you need to look for. In fact, I watch this video 1hr before EVERY GRE I take. It really helps refresh what you have to look out for. The "first, furthermore, finally" format works. It really does. I used it in 2/3 of my argument essays. Problems. Your intro is vague. Your paragraphs are too short and don't make any interwoven inferences about the prompt.

Aah, I gotcha. Argument essays are easy, but I never quote squat in my issue essay. Oh well. I also never utilize the 5 paragraph essay in some formal way, I always use this 5 paragraph: intro, point 1, point 2, intricacies/implications/extensions, and summary type of format.

Look at the schools admission statistics. I'm in math/econ so IDK what the attitude towards AWA is. Some schools for econ don't even list AWA meaning it's practical useless (averages for programs are like 3.5–4). Simply check what schools you're applying for look at the most. I assume verbal and AWA but IDK. I'd be interested in reading your style of writing if you got a 6. I got a 5 and each time I assume it will be higher after the next test, but I've only ever gotten 5s. Congratz by the way. 1 score that's perfect doesn't raise an eyebrow. The GRE is a sanity check by most measures. Outside of the US cheating is known to happen so what matters the most is the LOR and the research you've done and can show for it (for econ/math/stats). As long as you're about the average/median for the programs you're applying to I'd say don't worry at all.

I've taken the gre 3 times, all 5s. grammar/wording/typos: decision-making, the advancement," A consumer of Apple's products ...", "we daily live our lives", "A user of the iphone"-> someone who owns an iPhone, "IPhone". other: iPhone was just by steve jobs alone, kind of cringey reading that. Kind of got tired reading this, very surface level approach to the statement. Probably a strong 3, maybe a 3.5 if the reader doesn't catch all the mistakes. You make enough logical areas to slow my reading which ultimately leads to the decision of a 3–3.5. TBH if you wrote a little less but with concise and logical points you'd fair better for a 4. Your dissection the prompt is expected, I assumed you'd make the point of filtering media, but one would hope you try to have a nice spin on it, yours was surface level. You can do a fair bit of improving, your conclusion is quick and to the point. Good. Your transitions are actually about 4.5 imo, but the logical hiccups really are the major flaw. I should add, most of your mistakes are in the beginning! that's the worse place to make them.

If it matters I've taken the GRE a few times and I've gotten 5 on the writing, the most recent one though hasn't been put out. However, I think you're deserving of a 3.5-4. Argument <=3.5. Pos: high level diction, decently strong intro (though it's vague) Neg: You could cite examples, a simple example makes your point waaay better, i.e. point out an artist who is all about creative work and dumps on formal education. Minor spelling errors (riginess, freeding,...), multiple syntax problems/transitioning words (", however." not good at the end of a sentence) are not effectively used. Additionally, you make a rather poor attempt at discussing the other side, in particular, how it might not hold true. You simply state "The riginess [sic] of formal education institutions can stifle the creative spirit. But this does not have to be the case." You don't elaborate on an assertion, a rather big rhetorical mistake since understanding the other side of the issue is important. The biggest problem with issue essay responses is avoiding the vague and dogmatic statements you want to assert as axioms. Rather, you should be entirely explicit when embodying your stance, use examples, weave ideas throughout the points, and don't ever spend time beating around the bush. Argument essay. This is actually my best subject, I've gotten numerous 6s on Princeton review's practice tests, and I've competed in many speech/writing competitions so I can help you out the most here. Pos: You spot the problems, and seem to grasp how to explain them, ie. why they're wrong in making their assumptions. Neg: Short intro, very meek way to begin an argument essay. You're better off approaching what overarching motif is plaguing the statement, and bring in an example of why it's no good, then say what you're going to address the problems, and assumptions, and what the IMPACT IS IF PROVEN UNWARRANTED (you did NOT do this). Moreover, don't even address the last statement as potentially true or false, and it's a great point to connect to reality (the recent decline in the economy is most likely the cause, and fitness levels will improve when the economy does.), here's my stab at it, took me 8 minutes to write this: Considering the last statement in the prompt, we ought to consider the impact of a growing economy and the effect on its beneficiaries. In periods of economic growth, there is usually a low unemployment rate and high satisfaction rates among the general population—measured by the FED and by the American Consumer Index. What we can note is that there is no defined causal relation, but when people are employed it's more accurate to say they are more likely to afford (more) luxurious goods—gym memberships and healthier foods, for instance. To address the reverse, if the economy is in a recession or depression, people often cut their spending on everything (healthier food, gas, clothing, and all other expenses) and often experience anxiety and other upset mood states due to the general unease revolving around their job and job prospects which often correlate with unhealthier lifestyles. Perhaps, we could say that people are healthier during a growing economy due to the widespread benefits of a growing economy, more jobs, money, as well as a positive attitude that often accompanies a healthier lifestyle.

Just wanna say that your GPA is great and your grades in those classes are all stellar. Everything about the coursework is top notch. Just to note, your first LOR sounds perfect to describe your aptitude, but the other three are very wishy-washy. Make sure to give them your personal statement/cv/resume to ensure they speak to what you've written so it seems they also know you. This is especially important because they've known you for one class—talk to each one of them and make sure you have an idea of what they're gonna say. Unfortunately, your quant score is not good at all... I say this with a heavy heart because mine isn't great for all the economics/statistics programs I'm going to applying for... I recommend you retake it (I've done it 3 times, most recently this past Thur. Nov 2), hopefully, some of these schools admissions are Dec. 15+ so you can sneak another one in because you'll have a better shot (21 days from your last exam is when you should take it). All (top) schools have verbal ranges starting somewhere around 157, quant around 166, writing usually 4 (again, top schools), however, these are usually the median or mean scores, but most of them are right-skewed. With all this said, really put a lot of effort into a killer personal statement. I personally have been advised to not put many stories in mine, or otherwise to make mine very succinct. Make every one of them tailored, read professors research papers to make them applicable, state why you want to study there, with whom, what aspects of the program appeal to you, etc. I'm not entirely sure how interacting with homeless people goes into your personal statement—I say this having been homeless—what are you gonna say, you wanna help the homeless with statistical models? lol... Best of luck, we may meet at Rice since I'm applying there!

I should have included that I'm actually going for an undergraduate BA in economics as well, I have take intro, intermediate, econometrics, and other varying courses. That's my bad. I figure I have a good chance at all the schools given the research opportunities I've been in, great letters of rec and relevant coursework, not to mention outside research and value-investing I'm doing

Well, what exactly do you know about economics Ph.D admissions and why exactly do you think I fall short of their standard? I understand my GRE scores are slightly lower than what would otherwise be the better scores (the higher the better, duh), but my scores are all within the admitted range of these schools. in fact, my verbal is on the higher end of the middle 50 and my quant is at par or slightly above some these schools. Additionally, Carnegie Mellon's equivalent GMAT score for Ph.D admittance is like 690 and my equivalent converted score is 700. Not to mention I'll have a letter of recommendation from a faculty member at CMU... Are you actually using any criteria to gauge this or do you just have no clue? Better yet, are you trying to say I'd be more competitive in the master's programs?

Hello. Cynics preferred, be honest, hold nothing back. I want to study economics, stats, computational finance or something similar and hopefully connected to data science or predictive analytics. I’m graduating a year early, for what it’s worth. I want to offset the year I’m graduating by getting a better school appended to my name so I have some good long-term CEO potential. Honestly, I’m considering so many options because I’m desperate to get a better school attached to my name. I’ll be entirely up-front about that. I’ve gone to a shit undergrad school because I became homeless my senior year of high school during application season and couldn’t capitalize on the fact or write a decent letter to save my life due to my living circumstances devouring my mental sanity. However, I’ve made the most of what I have here, truly, and I want help in getting the best out of what I can. Truly appreciate all the help guys and gals! Undergrad Institution: Shitty midwest state university, ranked like 200th+ in the USA :-( Major: Mathematics, Economics… (two degrees probably) Minor: Statistics Cumulative GPA: 3.82 Major GPA, Cum.: (mathematics): 3.83 Type of Student: Domestic White male (though in no way “privileged”) Math/statistics and applicable economics Courses: Undergraduate: calc 1, 2, 3 (AB exam pass, B, A), intro differential eqns (A), Applied stat. methods (A), Business Statistics (A, econ), Set theory and Logic (A), intro to linear algebra (A), Linear Algebra (A), Theory of probability (A), Statistical Theory 1, 2 (A,A), Intro to Real analysis (B present), Capstone Math (A), Econometrics 1, 2 (A, forecasting an A, econ) graduate: (Spring 2018) Linear Statistical Models (A) GRE: V: 161, Q: 165, W: 5.5 (88%, 89%, 96%) ... the low quant is why I’m essentially aiming at schools ranked 12-20… I’m a realist. :-( GRE Mathematics Subject Test: N/A Research Experience: 2 NSF funded programs and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars program (national program) ==> 5 semesters total of research experience of 6 semesters in college: -one is research in financial math (SUAMI) which was summer 2017 at Carnegie Mellon, very competitive to get in. -the other NSF funded one was at my University in a small group -Rest was with the McNair program: one of my projects was meh, I made a computer program for calculating Ducci numbers or something, my second one was better studying nonparametric estimation (Kernel density estimation) proving the bias and the expectation, as well as learning some R. My third one is a lot better, moving on from NP KDE to quantreg (simulation and more) I’ll design a user-friendly interface in java for large data sets (never-seen-before type of thing) and I will couple this with a quantile regression simulation and application for value at risk of stocks on the S&P or DJIA. -continuing a research project with my research partners from Carnegie Mellon trading stocks, and doing stuff with quarterly earnings (completely profitable program, 0 loss thus far, quite phenomenal tbh) Leadership roles: Chess club president (3 semesters), Actuarial Science Club president (2 semesters), Table Tennis Club treasurer (founded), Political organization Vice president Awards: Deans list, departmental scholarship(s), McNair program, Mason's scholarship, 3 local scholarships other: Actuarial Exams… P/1 passed 01/2017 and FM/2 sitting 04/2018 Program. Languages… Java, C, Python, LaTeX Software & Tools… Minitab, all Microsoft Suite, SPSS, STATA, & R Recommendations: 3 from research experiences (1 REU at Carnegie Mellon, 2 at my university), and my last 1 from class (he had me in like 6 classes though). I can surely state that 2 of my recommenders will write phenomenal letters, the one from CMU is probably going to be good (mainly affirming my research strength), and my class-only recommender will write a great one, but he has only had me in class so it should be discounted. (2 Ph.ds from Rice University, 1 from Iowa state [rather well-known in math education], and 1 from Washington state) Programs I'm Interested In: Top 20 Stats Ph.D./Masters (better if they have Machine learning classes), Top 5–12 Computational finance programs, Top Economics (not the top 4-5, I’m realistic here lmao) order matters (tentative on the Masters or Ph.D.) Carnegie Mellon (economics masters or Ph.D., MSCF, statistics MSP or Ph.D.)... meet the score requirements except for MSCF Berkeley (Econ masters or Ph.D., statistics masters or Ph.D., MFE finance engineering) UPenn (statistics, economics MA or Ph.D.) Umich ann arbor (economics) Princeton (finance masters) Columbia (econ masters or Ph.D.) UMN (applied economics Ma or Ph.D.) UCLA (econ masters or Ph.D.) Please criticize me or bring in some realism. I'd love to just chat about writing a better application too. I believe I can write a great personal statement since writing is honestly my strength, above all else to be frank, and if people want to call or email about this process, I'd be more than willing (restricting it to weekends though). Just my two cents below... My personal thoughts and worries: ... I know what you're thinking, I got to a small school... its only known for aviation, rural medicine, and hockey. I know this will ding me the most; professor Shreve at CMU in the MSCF program said so, additionally, they’ll have to evaluate my school to see if it’s good enough to even consider me. (ouch) I really want to go to CMU. IDC what for tbh, economics or stats. I believe I have a shot since I did research there and have at least 1 recommender from CMU, informally I could get another. my quant sucks, but I’ve gotten 165 twice so I’m rather shit out of luck tell me if I should retake it, I have a chance on the 26th of October (planned, but may cancel it) my recommenders will be great my research experience is great my leadership experience is great

Hello. Cynics preferred, be honest, hold nothing back. I want to study economics, stats, computational finance or something similar and hopefully connected to data science or predictive analytics. I’m graduating a year early, for what it’s worth. I want to offset the year I’m graduating by getting a better school appended to my name so I have some good long-term CEO potential. Honestly, I’m considering so many options because I’m desperate to get a better school attached to my name. I’ll be entirely up-front about that. I’ve gone to a shit undergrad school because I became homeless my senior year of high school during application season and couldn’t capitalize on the fact or write a decent letter to save my life due to my living circumstances devouring my mental sanity. However, I’ve made the most of what I have here, truly, and I want help in getting the best out of what I can. Truly appreciate all the help guys and gals! Undergrad Institution: Shitty midwest state university, ranked like 200th+ in the USA :-( Major: Mathematics, Economics… (two degrees probably) Minor: Statistics Cumulative GPA: 3.82 Major GPA, Cum.: (mathematics): 3.83 Type of Student: Domestic White male (though in no way “privileged”) Math/statistics and applicable economics Courses: Undergraduate: calc 1, 2, 3 (AB exam pass, B, A), intro differential eqns (A), Applied stat. methods (A), Business Statistics (A, econ), Set theory and Logic (A), intro to linear algebra (A), Linear Algebra (A), Theory of probability (A), Statistical Theory 1, 2 (A,A), Intro to Real analysis (B present), Capstone Math (A), Econometrics 1, 2 (A, forecasting an A, econ) graduate: (Spring 2018) Linear Statistical Models (A) GRE: V: 161, Q: 165, W: 5.5 (88%, 89%, 96%) ... the low quant is why I’m essentially aiming at schools ranked 12-20… I’m a realist. :-( GRE Mathematics Subject Test: N/A Research Experience: 2 NSF funded programs and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars program (national program) ==> 5 semesters total of research experience of 6 semesters in college: -one is research in financial math (SUAMI) which was summer 2017 at Carnegie Mellon, very competitive to get in. -the other NSF funded one was at my University in a small group -Rest was with the McNair program: one of my projects was meh, I made a computer program for calculating Ducci numbers or something, my second one was better studying nonparametric estimation (Kernel density estimation) proving the bias and the expectation, as well as learning some R. My third one is a lot better, moving on from NP KDE to quantreg (simulation and more) I’ll design a user-friendly interface in java for large data sets (never-seen-before type of thing) and I will couple this with a quantile regression simulation and application for value at risk of stocks on the S&P or DJIA. -continuing a research project with my research partners from Carnegie Mellon trading stocks, and doing stuff with quarterly earnings (completely profitable program, 0 loss thus far, quite phenomenal tbh) Leadership roles: Chess club president (3 semesters), Actuarial Science Club president (2 semesters), Table Tennis Club treasurer (founded), Political organization Vice president Awards: Deans list, departmental scholarship(s), McNair program, Mason's scholarship, 3 local scholarships other: Actuarial Exams… P/1 passed 01/2017 and FM/2 sitting 04/2018 Program. Languages… Java, C, Python, LaTeX Software & Tools… Minitab, all Microsoft Suite, SPSS, STATA, & R Recommendations: 3 from research experiences (1 REU at Carnegie Mellon, 2 at my university), and my last 1 from class (he had me in like 6 classes though). I can surely state that 2 of my recommenders will write phenomenal letters, the one from CMU is probably going to be good (mainly affirming my research strength), and my class-only recommender will write a great one, but he has only had me in class so it should be discounted. (2 Ph.ds from Rice University, 1 from Iowa state [rather well-known in math education], and 1 from Washington state) Programs I'm Interested In: Top 20 Stats Ph.D./Masters (better if they have Machine learning classes), Top 5–12 Computational finance programs, Top Economics (not the top 4-5, I’m realistic here lmao) order matters (tentative on the Masters or Ph.D.) Carnegie Mellon (economics masters or Ph.D., MSCF, statistics MSP or Ph.D.)... meet the score requirements except for MSCF Berkeley (Econ masters or Ph.D., statistics masters or Ph.D., MFE finance engineering) UPenn (statistics, economics MA or Ph.D.) Umich ann arbor (economics) Princeton (finance masters) Columbia (econ masters or Ph.D.) UMN (applied economics Ma or Ph.D.) UCLA (econ masters or Ph.D.) Please criticize me or bring in some realism. I'd love to just chat about writing a better application too. I believe I can write a great personal statement since writing is honestly my strength, above all else to be frank, and if people want to call or email about this process, I'd be more than willing (restricting it to weekends though). Just my two cents below... My personal thoughts and worries: ... I know what you're thinking, I got to a small school... its only known for aviation, rural medicine, and hockey. I know this will ding me the most; professor Shreve at CMU in the MSCF program said so, additionally, they’ll have to evaluate my school to see if it’s good enough to even consider me. (ouch) I really want to go to CMU. IDC what for tbh, economics or stats. I believe I have a shot since I did research there and have at least 1 recommender from CMU, informally I could get another. my quant sucks, but I’ve gotten 165 twice so I’m rather shit out of luck tell me if I should retake it, I have a chance on the 26th of October (planned, but may cancel it) my recommenders will be great my research experience is great my leadership experience is great Thanks, I appreciate it!

I'll throw in my 2ps mate, I think your GRE scores are competitive, your grades look great, GPA is stellar, IDK if I'd retake the GRE just for the writing portion; however, if you do get it mate! (I also recommend glucose tablets for revitalization instead of relying on the snack break—bring in like 4 tablets and just casually munch on them.) I believe your application is weak in the following areas: writing GRE portion (minor), research (medium/big problem for Ph.D. programs), recommenders (hopefully the have published/research themselves and can attest to your ability to, if not that's a major problem). So, focus on getting people who have published and can at least say you're a good candidate, and make sure you ask your recommenders what they're going to say... if you don't you could be shooting yourself in the foot. Heres what you can do: get the people who get attest to your strengths in class and your ambition coupled with fervor in the field you're applying for. Next, if you have no research experience start doing projects outside of the class NOW and get a professor to overview, or simply look at it often. Anything in R or STATA, grab some info on who is who at the universities you're going to apply at and tally their areas of interest and whoever has the most tallies, for example, say in forecasting of modeling, you do a project with that either on known or unknown data (i.e. a simulation or us the Engel data in R (my personal favorite)). This will help you sell yourself as working independently as well as strengthen your application. Make it meaningful, track what you do, write it up in latex (overleaf.com) each weak so it amounts to something tangible. Send that as additional docs in apps. Boom you just made yourself look like a phenomenal, hard-working go-getter! BTW your programs are very reasonable given your GRE score and how you accounted for your weaknesses. Hey, check out my post on the matter, similar to you. Best of luck mate, message me on here for my email and more—we could talk over the phone or something. I really would enjoy talking to someone who is in the same place I am, especially given you wanna go to the same places! Cheers!