wwolfski41

Hi everyone, This May I graduated with a sociology degree. My goal is to become a social science researcher. Because the field of social science research is going toward a quantitative direction, I plan to apply to applied statistics masters program this fall. After masters, I plan to work in the Industry for a few years, and then apply for a social science PhD. (economics, public policy, political science, sociology..). I will really appreciate it if you can give me some advice. Undergraduate Institution: Top 10 Liberal Arts College Majors: Sociology Minor: Statistics GPA: 3.73/4.0 Math/Statistics GPA: 3.82/4.0 Type of Student: International Asian Male Related Courses taken: Calc II (4.0/4.0) Calc III (3.7/4.0) Linear Algebra (3.7/4.0) Probability (3.7/4.0) Econometrics (using Stata) (3.3/4.0) Applied Multivariate Statistics Analysis (using R) (4.0/4.0) GRE General Test: V:165/Q:167/W:5 Research Experience: None in statistics or Math. Two summers of research assistant experience for a sociology professor (not quantitative). One year of teaching assistant experience for social theory courses. A conference presentation at 2019 American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Working Experience: Research Assistant for a large social science research organization since this July. Working on projects that heavily involve quantitative analysis (Stata, R, SPSS, SAS...). Collaborating with senior researchers on a quantitative research paper for journal resubmission. Letters of Recommendation: Two from math/statistics professors (probability and Applied Multivariate Statistics Analysis) who told me that they will write strong letters of recommendation. For the third one, I am considering asking either my sociology advisor (who knows me very well and views me very highly in terms of social science potential. But he does not do quantitative work), or a senior researcher that I am working with on a quantitative project at work. Currently considering Masters programs: Berkeley statistics CMU statistical practice UNC Data Science and Analytics Wisconsin statistics Michigan applied statistics NCSU statistics Cornell applied statistics UCLA applied statistics Ohio State applied statistics Rice professional statistics Georgetown applied math and Statistics Also considering these masters programs: Columbia Quantitative methods in Social Science Chicago Computational Social Science Do I have a shot in getting into these programs? Should I apply to more lower-ranked programs? What are other statistics programs that would be a good fit for my level of background? Should I ask my sociology advisor from college or a senior researcher at work to write me the third letter of recommendation? Thank you!

Thank you for your advice. Do you have recommendations on the websites (besides US news ranking and each program's website) that I should look at to consider which program to apply?

Hi everyone, I just graduated from a top ten liberal arts college with a Sociology major and Statistics minor. I realized that Sociology is not very practical in terms of jobs. Therefore, I plan to change directions and apply for a masters degree in Applied Statistics next year. I will really appreciate it if you can give me some advice: Because my background is in Sociology instead of math, what is the ranking range of applied statistics program that I should primarily aim for? What are some online resources (about rankings) that will help me choose the right programs to apply to? I have taken math courses including proof-based linear algebra, but I have not taken an Analysis course. Will the fact that I have not taken an Analysis course hurt my chances? I am also considering other related masters programs including masters in Survey Methodology. (e.g. Michigan https://psm.isr.umich.edu/, U Maryland https://jpsm.umd.edu/). Are these programs worth applying to? What is some general advice you would give for me to prepare for my application? Here is some information about me: GPA: 3.73/4 GRE: Q:167 V:165 W:5 Math/Stats course taken: Calc II (4/4) Calc III (3.7/4), Linear Algebra (3.7/4), Probability (3.7/4), Econometrics (using Stata) (3.3/4), Applied Multivariate Statistics Analysis (using R) (4/4). Research interest: my primary research interest is in education inequality. I have a paper on academic achievement gap accepted for presentation at the 2019 American Sociological Association (ASA) annual meeting. Work experience: current quantitative intern at a program evaluation organization on education. Thanks a lot!!!