[2020 Applicant Profiles and Admission Results for Statistics/Biostatistics]

Undergrad Institution: Medium Sized Liberal Arts School
Major(s): Combined BS/MS

                  Bachelors: Mathematics & Statistics

                  Masters: Statistics
Minor(s): Actuarial Science
GPA:  Bachelors: 3.94/4.0 

           Masters: 4.0/4.0

Type of Student: Domestic, Male

GRE General Test:
Q: 163 (82%) <- in retrospect would've practiced more
V: 161 (88%)
W: 4.0 (57%)
 

Programs Applying: Statistics/Operations Research

 

Research Experience: Presentation at JSM 2019, research article to be submitted soon.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Scholarships from the math and statistics departments.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Was a TA for Regression and Statistical Inference.

Letters of Recommendation: Strong, but not from anyone well-known.

Math/Statistics Grades:  Calculus III (A),  Linear Algebra/Proofs Course (A), ODE (A), Probability (A+), Optimization (A), Abstract Algebra (A-), Real Analysis (B+), Measure Theory (A), Casella-Berger (2 courses, A's in both), Regression (A), Time Series (A+), Bayesian (A), DOE (A), Random Programming Courses (A's), Stochastic Processes (A), Consulting Course (A), Biostatistics/Survival Analysis (A), GLM (A), Nonparametric Statistics (A).
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Interested in Time Series, Stochastic Processes, MCMC, general probability topics. Had internships in the finance and oil industries.

Applying to Where: 

 

Statistics:
University of Chicago - Rejected 
Columbia University - Rejected 
Purdue University - Admitted

Michigan State University - Admitted

University of Michigan - Rejected

Ohio State University - Admitted

Texas A&M University - Admitted

 

Operations Research:

Cornell University - Rejected

Georgia Tech - Admitted

[Fall 2020 Statistics Applicant Thread]

2 hours ago, AM61 said:

Based on my visit and interviews with professors, I would think it's a pretty good place to be if you're interested in time series or Bayesian stats. It seems like there would be less opportunities to do applied probability, since that side of the department is rather small (from the impression Dr. Cline gave me). The students there seemed very happy and relaxed, so it seems like a good place to be. It's also a very well-established and renowned department, so I don't think you would have any issues if you are interested in academia. (I'm certainly no expert, but those are my thoughts.)

Thanks! Unfortunately, my visit was canceled due to the virus, so it's nice to hear that the department seems like a good place to be. I'm between TAMU and Georgia Tech (Operations Research). It seems like for the former I would have the opportunity to continue research on a variety of the statistics topics I enjoy, while for the latter I would likely have to commit more towards my applied probability/stochastic process interests. 

[Fall 2020 Statistics Applicant Thread]

Can I get thoughts on TAMU for someone interested in time series and applied probability? I could see myself dabbling in some Bayesian research as well. Most of the comments I've seen are about it's unfavorable location, which doesn't bother me much. The general conservative lean of the town doesn't really impact my decision either. I think it is a good research fit for me, but am nervous about its slight skid in the rankings from last time (which I know isn't the end all be all). I am interested in an academic job after I graduate. Any general comments would help.

[Cornell vs Georgia Tech Operations Research (Probability)]

Does anyone have any indication of how these two programs stack up for someone with interests in Probability, Stochastic Processes, and Time Series? For clarity, I have been accepted to Georgia Tech's PhD program and am still waiting on Cornell's decision. 

For reference, I have a statistics background. I have offers from a few top 25 PhD programs in Statistics as well. This is likely a question for faculty in these programs, but how would my experience differ between an OR and a traditional Math-Stat program in terms of both research and future employment opportunities (academia)? If I went to an OR program, I think I would like to have the flexibility to continue doing Statistics research if I so chose. It seems like Georgia Tech does offer this, but I'm curious about the general consensus on here. Thanks!