wannabeGS

Hi Geococcyx, 
Thank you for your response. With respect to research at Berkeley, I garnered the following from their page:  "In extremely rare cases, a thesis option may be considered by the MA Chair. Typically, this will be when either the option has been offered to the student at the time of admission, or if the student arrives with substantial progress in research in an area of interest to our faculty." (https://statistics.berkeley.edu/programs/graduate/masters). I was not offered the opportunity to pursue a thesis, however. 
With respect to everything you mentioned...I agree! Out of curiosity, is Duke still in the running for you? Maybe we'll both be there soon! 
To the wide Grad Cafe community - does anyone have any dissenting views?? (Affirmations of Duke still welcome ?) 
Thanks!