Undergrad Institution : UIUC
Major(s): Actuarial Science GPA: 3.94
Minor(s): Computer Science
Type of Student: Domestic, Asian Male
Math/Stat Grades:
Numerical Methods (A)
Discrete Math (A+)
Abstract Linear Algebra (A+)
Probability Theory I,II (B+, A)
Stochastic Process (B+)
Machine Learning (A)
Intro to Regression (A)
Some Actuarial math courses (Mostly A)
Math/Stat Courses Taking:
Real Analysis, Combinatorics, Time Series, Differential Equations GRE General Test: 153 V/ 170Q / W unknown yet
Programs Applying: Statistics Research Experience: 1. Did a undergraduate research on pension funds, presented outcomes in a symposium
2. Currently doing a research about machine learning in financial mathematics Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 1. Course assistant for Introductory computer science course
2. Actuarial internship
Letters of Recommendation: One professor who supervised the undergraduate research project. I hope I will get two more LoRs from the professors I am currently working with.
Research Interest: Mathematical Statistics, Stochastic Processes, Network Science.
Reach School:
CMU, Duke, UPenn, Columbia
Target:
UMich, Purdue, UCLA, UIUC, Madison, UC Davis, NC State, NC Chapel Hill
My biggest concern is my weak research experience. All the research experiences I have listed are undergraduate research projects which are supervised by math/actuarial science professors. In addition, my overall GPA might be overstated. I studied overseas in Hong Kong in my freshmen and sophomore year, and I did poorly (~3.5 GPA). This is partly due to the fact that in some courses there's no curve despite that most students were doing poorly. I think a 3.3 GPA in Hong Kong is approximately 3.5-3.6 GPA in US considering the difficulties.
I'm really unsure of the type of school I am competitive for. Recommendations to my list are appreciated.
Thanks!