WishyWashyMS

For the unfunded MS programs I am applying to, most seem to require that I state my ethnicity and do not give me the option of not answering the question, which would be my preference. One of my letter writers, who also is one of the senior professors in my undergrad's statistics department, commented on how my chances might be greater by being a domestic White applicant than an international applicant, since supposedly many graduate STEM programs get few domestic applicants and many more international Asian applicants. Is this true for an unfunded MS program? Or only true for PhD and funded MS programs? Also, since I'm biracial, I am unsure if I should list both my White and Asian heritage. I have spoken with a lot of my friends and a few professors who suggested that I might be better off saying that I am White on my application since else I will be likely compared with the many international Asian applicants to the programs I'm applying, who tend to have much better mathematical preparation and performance compared to mine. But I've always been told to "put which side you identify more with", which is White. Does this information really matter from an admissions perspective if I am not a URM? Any insight you can all provide is much appreciated!

Hi everyone, I'm currently applying for the first time, but I noticed that UChicago indicates on their Statistics application FAQs page that, for students reapplying, "Generally speaking, applicants who are not admitted one year will not be admitted in future years. We recommend that you apply again only if your experience has changed significantly, for example, if you have gotten a new degree." I'm confused on what would constitute your experiencing "changing significantly". Do you think a better GRE score, the addition of a GRE Subject score, or some more substantial work experience would qualify? Or is this a question that I should ask the department for more clarification? I'd rather not waste my one time application if i wasn't quite confident I could get an acceptance. I'm asking since I haven't seen this posted for other programs. Thanks!

@Stat PhD Now Postdoc @cyberwulf @Biostat_Assistant_Prof I was wondering if any one you would have any advice or opinion regarding my question? I know that I've received good, thoughtful answers from bayessays and theduckster, but I was wondering if other eminent users in this forum concur with the advice given or have a different opinion! I know that some of you are more biostats focused, but I'd really appreciate your insight. Many thanks!

Yeah, I think it is a little insane to be considering taking it just for the MS. The only reason I would honestly do it is to increase my chances at Stanford's program, which has it as optional (and I seriously doubt any MS applicants have taken it / submit it).

Though I think that I will apply next cycle, do you think that it's risky to apply to the schools I listed this cycle? I mean, I think that with those math grades, it might be a hit-or-miss if I apply this time.

Thanks for your advice! Taking the Math GRE seems like really the only thing more I could do at this point, and while I'm not averse to preparing for it next year, I don't really know how much more it would help me, considering that it probably won't be easy preparation. But thanks for all your help!

Hi everyone, I'm applying to a few Statistics MS programs this time around, or perhaps next cycle depending on the advice I get here. I do not know if I yet want to do a PhD in the future, but I'm leaning away from it. However, I'm want to apply mainly to MS programs that are 1.5-2 years in length so that if I decide I want to do a PhD, I may be able to get some research opportunities. Here's my profile: College: UCLA (graduated June 2017, have been working / starting my own startup since then) Ethnicity: Asian/White Gay Male (if this matters for diversity purposes lol) Major: Applied Mathematics UGPA: 3.66/4.00 Math / Stats GPA: 3.44/4.00 (... yeah... ) Harvard Extension GPA: 4.00/4.00 Undergrad Coursework (Quarter System): Single Variable Calc (AP/AP), Multivariable Calc (B-/B+), Intro Linear Algebra (B+), Intro Differential Eqs (A-), Linear Algebra (B-), Real Analysis (B+/C), Mathematical Modeling (B+), Complex Analysis (B), Varied Mathematics (A+), Discrete Structures (P), Ordinary Differential Eqs (C+), Systems of Linear and Nonlinear DEs (A-), Intro Stats (A), Intro Stat Programming (A-), Probability Theory (A+), Math Stats (B), Regression (A-), Design of Experiment (A-), Statistical and Machine Learning (A+), Statistical Research (A+), Stat Programming (A), Computation and Optimization Statistics (A) Econ Coursework (if Applicable): Intro Micro (A), Intro Macro (A-), Intermediate Micro (B+), Honors Micro Seminar (A+), Advanced Micro (A), Advanced Macro (P), Econometrics (A) Harvard Extension Coursework (taken after undergrad): Linear Algebra and Real Analysis I (A), Mathematics for Computation and Data Science (A) GRE Scores: 168Q/167V/5.5AWA Letters Of Recommendation: 3 From Professors (all Statisticians; 2 lecturers, 1 tenured; had good relationships with each and was the best student in the classes I took with 2 of them, so hoping for good letters) Other Awards: Obtained College Honors on diploma (not major honors, so essentially just indicating that I took many courses outside my major and did well in them); Phi Beta Kappa (prestigious honor society?) I am only looking to apply to a few schools (Stanford, University of Washington, University of Chicago, UCLA, and John Hopkins), which I know are likely a crap shoot with regards to my chances. Honestly, my letter writers thought I should apply to PhD programs in the 25-40ish range since they indicated that I'd likely have much more mathematical and statistical coursework than many of my peers in an MS program, which would almost make the MS redundant (which I'm not entirely sure if I agree, since my pure math background is rather weak). I just don't have my heart set on a PhD at this time. I also had a few illnesses during school, so hence the few P grades, a few dropped courses and a quarter where I withdrew. So I'd appreciate any advice you guys can give me, if I should just go ahead and apply this year or apply next year and work on my profile in the meantime (maybe take more courses or the Math Subject GRE). I just don't feel confident applying if I can't "reasonably" think that I could get admissions to each of the schools I'm applying to. Thanks for all your advice!