Undergrad Institution: ~Top 100 (according to US News) Major(s): Mathematics Minor(s): Computer Science GPA: 3.85
Type of Student: Domestic Black Male
GRE General Test:
Q: 163(~85%) V: 164(~90%) W: 4.5 (~85%)
Programs Applying: Statistics and Biostatistics PhDs
Research Experience:
I did research during my freshman and sophomore years, but it wasn’t relevant to stats.
I worked with a math professor at my university on a bunch of random stuff (e.g. data visualization) over the past two years. This wasn’t research per-se, mostly just learning the material in a more intimate setting.
I did summer research programs after my sophomore and junior years. Both were in well-respected departments. One was in a stats department, and the other was in biomedical informatics.
I worked in a stat professor’s lab when I was on exchange.
Letters of Recommendation: Mentors from my past two summers of research and a professor who I have taken a few courses from.
Math/Statistics Grades: Calculus II, III (A, A), Intro to Linear Algebra (A), Proofs and Problem Solving I, II (A, A), Differential Equations (B), Intro to Analysis I (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Probability and Statistics I, II (A, A)
CS Grades: Intro to Computer Science (A), Computer Science I (A), Computer Science II (A)
I spent a semester on exchange at a top 3 university (according to US News). Here are the relevant courses:
Modern Algebra I (A), Discrete Math (A), Essential Data Structures (A)
Applying to Where: Harvard - Biostatistics PhD / Interview invite-1/7 / Accepted-2/11 NC State - Statistics PhD / Accepted-1/7 Texas A&M - Statistics PhD / Accepted-1/19 UW - Biostatistics PhD / Interview invite-1/24 / Accepted-3/4 Duke - Statistics PhD / Accepted-1/31 UW Madison - Statistics PhD / Accepted-1/31 UW - Statistics PhD / Accepted-2/7 UC Berkeley - Statistics PhD / Accepted-2/11 U Michigan - Statistics PhD / Accepted(funded Master's)-2/14 CMU - Statistics PhD / Accepted-2/21 Cornell - Statistics PhD / Accepted-2/24 UChicago - Statistics PhD / Waitlisted-2/26
Takeaways: I thought it would be good to share some of the things I've learned from this application process. I'll try to keep it short!
First some straightforward, actionable advice. Apply for the NSF GRFP, it makes the rest of the application process so much easier. Study for the GRE; it's not hard but it's easy to get caught off-guard by some of the questions(at least it was for me). Turn in your applications early; it's a huge weight off your shoulders during a very stressful period.
Trust your recommenders, advisors, and mentors. I applied to so many places because I was unsure of my chances at any of them. However, one of my recommenders told me at the beginning of the school year that I'd be successful in my applications. It's definitely important to hear multiple opinions, but if your advisor is experienced in the field, take their advice to heart.
Don't compare yourself too much. Obviously the whole point of this thread is to compare yourself to others, just don't stress over it too much. GradCafe is great to see some of the commonalities between successful applicants. As long as you cover your bases though, missing one or two aspects that someone else had may not make as much of a difference as you think. Not to mention all of the factors you don't see on GradCafe.
Don't give up if you didn't go to a brand-name school! I met lots of people on visits who didn't go to the Harvards and Stanfords of the world. There are other ways to stand out besides going to a big name school, so don't give up just because you go to Directional State U.
Hopefully someone finds this useful!
