DJ3Sigma

I did not take real analysis. I took Fourier Analysis(B+), Linear Algebra (B-), and Advanced Calculus (A). Thanks for the help by the way.

I took it roughly two years ago and I studied a week prior to the exam.

Should I include in my applications that I got a 9/10 on the Society of Actuaries Exam P? I did not this time around because I did not think it would matter to the graduate schools.

@Bayesian1701, and @bayessays thanks for the input I will look into more programs in the ranges that you both are suggesting. Though I have only taken the GRE once, I am not sure I want to take it again.

@Bayesian1701 Thanks for asking the following is a list of where I applied and the results: Rejected: CMU, Duke, UW, UC Berkeley, U Michigan Still Waiting/Possible Rejections: U Toronto, U Florida

Hello world, I would like some help in determining where I should be applying to for PhD programs? Although I applied this year, many of the schools that I applied to I know now were "reaches." So if worst comes to worst and I do not get accepted into any of my schools or do not receive enough funding to attend any of those schools I would like to know what my options are and where I should be looking for next application cycle? I have put some of my stats below. Undergrad Institution: Large public university Majors: Statistics (B.S.) and Physics (B.S.) Minors: Actuarial Science GPA: 3.30 cumulative, 3.30 major Graduate Institution: Large public university Major: Statistics (M.S.) GPA: 3.74 Type of Student: Male, Hispanic, Domestic GRE General Test: 156V, 161Q, 4.0AW Programs Applying: PhD in Statistics (will apply), PhD in Biostatistics (may apply) Interests: Machine Learning, AI, Big Data Analysis Research Experience: 1.5 years in Physics lab programming equipment (undergraduate volunteer). 1 year in Statistics group programming in C++, and R with research into causality in a Bayesian world (graduate assistant). I may have a publication by the end of the semester. Employment: Have worked as GA during my graduate studies in a center that focuses on biostatistics and performs statistical consultations for the entire university. Consulted on many projects. Skills: R, C++

I completely agree with you funding is everything to me.

@NumStats gotcha. If you don't mind me asking which one of the schools that you applied to was your safety school?

What are the alternatives you are considering?

Wow sorry to hear that. I wouldn't give up just yet though... "Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get" -Forest Gump's mom. Plus if you don't get in anywhere with all of those degrees what hope did the rest of us have.

Got that Duke rejection today pretty sure there was no mistake on mine. At least they put my name in it haha. This was for their PhD Stats program.

I wish I was a little bit smarter, I wish I was a scholar, I wish I got in to a school if it was good I would holler. remix of "I wish" by Skee-lo

You know the sad part is when you wait all that time just for a rejection letter that starts with Dear applicant ....

@lilchowI am in the same boat I am still waiting for 3 more schools.

Plus Florida has the nicest weather in the states and has one of the only natural disasters that will give you weeks to prepare.

@huxlb I think you are a strong candidate but then again I have not been accepted to either of those programs. Sure enough in the results section of the forum I have seen people with lower GPAs and test scores slightly lower than yours that have been accepted but then I do not know the full profile of those people. I can say that for me CMU was a dream school and although I knew that my chances of getting in were not the best (probably not even as great as yours) I applied anyways. In Spanish we have a saying that roughly translates to luck is crazy and anyone may be struck by it. Everyone above who has commented on your post has had very logical and sensible arguments as to why you should not apply to those two programs but to me at the end of the day the question is are you willing to risk loosing all of that money for a chance at these programs? @Bayesian1701 stated that she has a similar profile to yours and that she managed to get wait listed at Duke which to me means that with a bit of luck she may be accepted. @huxlb are you feeling lucky? haha

@GoPackGo89 Pssh I guess it is just us rebels in Florida that do not take President's Day off.

hahaha @phdhopeful1995 you are correct but I do not think any university celebrates President's Day

@huxlb If you can spare the ~$110 per program go ahead and apply to CMU and Duke. "Go big or go home"

Sorry to hear that @jswizzle48. I have been rejected from 4 universities thus far.

I was not interviewed so I figured I had been rejected. I just found it strange that I had not heard anything yet I figured that as soon as people were wait listed rejection letters would be going out like hot cakes. Oh well thanks for the information Bayesian1701.

Thanks. I just ask because I have noticed that quite a few people have been rejected and accepted by Duke and even @Bayesian1701 stated that she had been waitlisted by Duke but I have yet to hear anything from them.

Does anyone know if the date on which you receive your letter of acceptance/rejection is dependent on the date on which you submitted your application? Also, are students with Masters degrees also competing with students with Bachelors degrees or is there some separation?