ilikepie

That's a very valid point on the opportunity cost. Honestly, I'm still trying to assess what I want to do. I suppose it's a mix of things: The actuarial field is a very narrow niche and typically governed by regulation. If I wanted to move out of the insurance industry, it won't be a lateral move and I won't have the appropriate training as someone coming out of a Masters/PhD program in Stats. Some positions do lean more towards statistics / data science (and these were roles I've enjoyed more) but at the end it's limited by actuarial judgment. While I'm doing well professionally, I'm not that interested in the insurance industry. Part of me is considering whether a MS in Math would be better (like NYU's program) so I can explore a variety of math courses, something I neglected to do during my late-switch in undergrad to my Actuarial degree. Related question, what are top MS in Math programs that offer a thesis option? I'm open to any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks for the advice so far!

Thanks for the quick response! On the math professors - I can reach out but I doubt they'll remember me given how long it's been. Would it hurt my app to not have a rec from a professor? On Stanford/Chicago, anything I can should consider doing to make my application more attractive?

Hello! I've been working for ~10 years as an actuary but I'm reconsidering my career. Hoping to get thoughts on whether a top tier (top 15) MS program in Statistics is out of reach for me, or if there are things I could do to make my application more attractive. Undergrad: One of the State University of NY Major: Major in Math (Actuarial), Minor in Chemistry GPA: 3.25 overall, 3.8 major (I was previously trying to go the premed path but was not suited for it. At the same time, I was dealing with some family issues - onset of dementia in a parent, younger sibling going through a crisis of risky behavior - and as a result, probably held on too long to premed than I should have.) Student Type: Domestic Asian Female Undergrad Courses: Calculus II (A), Calculus III (A), Ordinary Differential Equation (A), Probability I (A-), Probability II (C+), Applied Probability Models (A), Topology (A-), Linear Algebra (A). And maybe less relevant undergrad courses - Interest Theory (A), Microeconomics I (A), Microeconomics II (A), Macroeconomics I (A), Macroeconomics II (A), Actuarial Problem Solving (A). GRE General: Will take, assuming quantitative will be fine Math GRE: Should I take this? Research: None related to math - 2 semesters in materials research under a Nobel prize winner Work Experience: ~10 years as an actuary within consulting and life insurance, regular promotions and great reviews Letters of Recommendation: Likely will ask from past managers Programs Applying to: MS in Statistics Considering to Apply to: Top 15-20 programs Questions 1. What can I do to improve my application? 2. Which programs do you think I can get into? Will it be a stretch if I'm aiming for top 15-20? 3. I'm guessing I'm not the typical applicant since I'm more removed from school. How will that be viewed? Many thanks!!