runmore05

I recently graduated with a BS in a natural science and a minor in stats. I believe I have most of the prereqs needed for Statistics MS programs: I've taken Calc I and II, Linear Algebra, and 4 stats classes. Calc 3 seems like the only major prereq I need to take, though I have seen programs suggest taking courses in calc-based probability and real analysis. I took Calc I about 4 years ago and got a C. I took Calc II three years ago and got a B+. I've barely touched calc since. The options I've considered are: 1) Review Calculus principles for a couple weeks before the semester starts and begin Calc III. Try to get a good grade and drop if necessary. 2) Retake Calc 1 this spring and take Calc 3 in the fall (maybe summer). An advantage to this plan is that some programs request you have at least a B for your prereqs, which I could do for Calc 1. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you.

@omicrontrabb This is very helpful, thank you! I appreciate the insight. I feel like there's a lot to consider. I haven't really made a full career plan yet, but I don't see myself sticking around in academia.

I'm interested in applying to Stats and Data Science MS programs. The USNWR and AMSTAT top schools list is helpful (for stats), but I'd like to see a larger list. I've come across some interesting programs just by looking up x school (not on the best ranked lists) and looking up programs they're offering. Does anyone know of any resources that post a list of all data science programs and/or statistics programs in the United States? This resource from CSU East Bay is kinda what I'm looking for, but it's dated. Looking up data science programs is trickier-- no USNWR or AMSTAT lists, but instead a lot of "20 Best Value Schools for Data Science Masters" type results. A little bit off-topic, but should I just stray away from considering schools that don't score highly on USNWR (or are even unranked)? It seems like a ton (most?) of the posters on GradCafe are only seriously considering Ivy-League or similar status schools. I'm sure the elite schools consistently beat out lower ranked schools across most metrics, but is it to the point where I shouldn't even consider the lower ranked?

Based on some searching on here, I tried laying down some estimates for what GRE minimum scores are needed for the various schools that offer a Stats MS program. I was wondering if people could critique this list? Thanks! 159 Q minimum target score for unranked/very low ranked schools 161 Q minimum target score for the lower ranked USNWR schools 164 Q should be sufficient for most ranked schools 165 Q is a minimum target score for almost all of the ranked schools

@omicrontrabb Is there a resource that posts acceptance rates, average GPAs, and average GRE scores for biostats/stats programs all in one place? I was able to find your 80% acceptance number on Michigan's website, but it's a lot tougher to find acceptance rates for some other schools I'm looking at.

@bayessays Thanks, I'll definitely look into their program. I'll also look at biostats programs-- I've seen a couple that have an environmental health concentration that looked interesting. Out of curiosity, would you happen to know anything about NC State's environmental stats concentration? They look like they have a have a ton of resources on campus and nearby.

Based off my undergrad major (Environmental Science), I'm somewhat of a non-conventional applicant. I'd like to apply to stats MS programs this fall, but I'm going to lack some of the core pre-reqs needed for application. I'm missing Calc 3 and Linear Algebra, which I've found most programs to ask for in their minimum requirements. I plan to take Linear Algebra this fall, but probably won't be able to take Calc 3 before apps are due. @penguinbombs suggested early this year that larger programs may still be open to a non-conventional applicant if they have a strength in a field relevant to what they may do in grad school. I've been digging around various programs and have been looking close at those with Environmental Statistics disciplines. I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for schools/programs to check out for Environmental Statistics and/or programs that would be more open to taking on someone with my background? Undergrad Institution: Small state school Major: Environmental Science Minor: Statistics GPA: 3.80 Relevant Courses: Calc 1, Calc 2, Linear models, experimental design, nonparametric stats Additional notes: Plan to take Linear Algebra and Calc 3 at a school I haven't decided at yet-- either a community college, a large recognized state school, or a top 15 public university GRE: not taken yet Research Experiences: 1 summer at a recognized R1 lab, handful of side/class projects I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you.

I'm an Environmental Science major/Statistics minor graduating soon. I plan to apply for Statistics graduate programs in the Fall and was wondering if anyone had any advice for finding Statistics related jobs/research experiences for someone fresh out of undergrad-- without a Math, Stats, or Computer Science BS. My institution is small and almost entirely undergrad focused(no math/stats graduate program), so no chance to research there. However, one of my mentors has been helping me get in contact with employers in the area. My hometown (which is where I'll likely be if I don't get a job in the area of my undergrad institution) is in a large city and home to a handful of universities. I noticed that many universities with a Statistics department have a statistical consulting lab on campus-- would it be worth emailing them to see if they have opportunities? I'm a little unsure on what these labs are. I go through LinkedIn regularly searching for terms like "Statistics", "R", "Machine Learning", and "Data science" but feel like my current résumé isn't strong enough to get anything. Any tips for searching for opportunities? Thank you.

@Bayesian1701

I haven't quite figured out the type of job I'd like to go into, but I enjoy performing regression analysis and linear models. Doing that type of analysis for something environmental related for a government agency would be sweet (and relate to my BS), but I think I'd be just as happy performing similar analyses for a completely different field/industry. I was under the impression that the PhD was mostly for people who wanted to work in academia and wouldn't matter for most industry/government jobs. I'm not really interested in working in academia. Out of curiosity, why would getting a masters not help me get into a PhD program? Since I lack the math background competitive PhD applicants have, I would have figured that a Master's would overcome my disadvantage by showing that I'd be capable of studying stats in graduate school. I really appreciate your insight. Thank you.

I'm finishing up my senior year at a young and small state school near the Bay Area. I'm an Environmental Science B.S major with a Statistics minor. Over the past couple years I've recognized that I'm really passionate about quantitative analyses and have taken all the statistics courses I could. I'd really like to go to graduate school for an Applied Stats program, but feel a little discouraged because I don't have much of a math background. It seems like most programs want at least Calc 3 and Linear Algebra, but prefer students to have a Real Analysis class. I have only taken Calc 1 (C+) and Calc 2 (B+), both early in my college career-- I'm sure I could've done better had I taken those classes when I was more mature. I currently have a 3.80 GPA and have aced all the stats courses I've taken (Generalized Linear Models, Nonparametric Statistics, Experimental Design). I've gotten a 4.0 for my last three semesters and am working hard to get a 4.0 for my last semester. I have one research experience in bioinformatics at a well recognized RO1 school. I was hoping to get some advice for someone in my position. Right now I'm looking for jobs and internships took get involved in after I graduate. I also plan to take Linear Algebra (this seems to be slightly more preferred by grad schools than Calc 3?) in the summer and Calc 3 in the fall. From browsing online, it seems like applying to a MS program is the better option for me. I also plan to do the best I can on the GRE. There are a couple MS Applied Stats programs I've seen that seem ok with just Linear Algebra and a year of Calc. I think those might be the ones I want to focus on. How does my plan sound? Should I skip another year (and apply in Fall 2020) and focus on adding more math classes? Do I have a chance at a decent program? Thank you