JegVetIngenting

Thanks! I really appreciate the advice.

Hi there! I am thinking of applying to a Logic, Computation, & Methodology PhD program. However, I have some concerns regarding change of career trajectory. But first, my profile: Undergraduate: Large State School Major: Applied Mathematics, Economics GPA: 3.5 Type of Student: Domestic White Male Relevant Courses: Calculus I (A), II (C+), and III (A), Ordinary Differential Equations (B-), Linear Algebra (A), Discrete Mathematics (B+), Introductory Real analysis (A-), Numerical Analysis I (A) Graduate: Large State School Program: MS Statistics Relevant Courses: Mathematical Statistics I, Mathematical Statistics II, Theory of Estimation (think likelihood and asymptotics) (all A) Grad GPA: 3.9 GRE General Test: Q: 167 V: 160 W: 4.5 Research Experience to Date: Applied Bayesian MCMC work (undergrad), 2 non-first-author publications in applied statistics Awards/Honors/Recognitions: A few semesters of Dean's List, Award for highest grade in Linear Algebra or Real Analysis (they never did mention which), Decent-money scholarship from grad institution, low-money scholarships from grad institution Letters of Recommendation: Statistics professor (decorated, dept head) I know, him personally and through classes, Statistics professor/Thesis advisor, Professor for analysis and discrete math (prolific author in mathematics). Additional XP and Remarks: Profiency in a couple non-native languages, experience working in R and LaTex, ample experience in math and statistics TAing and tutoring. There was a time when I would have never envisioned myself pursuing graduate education. I started my academic career at a small community college (even made a D in precalculus because I was so blasé about the formal educational experience that I just couldn't be bothered (explains the C+ in calc II as well), and now I can't satisfy my academic appetite. I'm currently interested in philosophy of probability. All right, now a trio of questions: 1) I understand that some LCM programs are, say, accessible to applicants of backgrounds in mathematics. However, myy background is in "applied mathematics" (no algebra, topology...) and I am unsure if this lends itself to the same treatment by adcoms. Simply put, could the PhD program be an appropriate pivot point, or would I need a second masters? 2) Assuming yes to (1), at what range of schools should I aim? 3) How concerned should I be with the writing sample component of the application?