stats_sk

Thanks. Just to clarify, are you saying that I have a reasonable shot at places ranked above Michigan? I was aware that Biostats programs were less competitive than Stats for domestic applicants, but I didn't know how much math background is usually needed to get into those top schools. I'm wondering if it'd be a waste to apply to top 3.

Thank you! I didn't know much about Harvard and JHU. Thanks for the insight on Michigan.

Thank you for the quick reply. It looks like I edited my last post while you were responding. Are your referring to the schools I listed for Stats (in my original post) or Biostats (in my last post)? I'm definitely applying to Penn State for Stats.

Hi - I'm considering applying for Biostats programs as well, but I'd prefer to be in a program that also focuses on theory, not just application. I have heard that UW and UNC cover theory, but are there any others? Assuming I take analysis in the spring, would schools like UW, Hopkins, UNC, and Michigan be a reach for me? Thanks!

Hi All- I'm a non-traditional applicant. While working on my statement of purpose, I started wondering if my industry experience would help or hurt my chance of admission (or neither). If it doesn't matter too much, I would probably not talk about it very much in the SoP. Some specific questions I had were: 1) Since I've been out of school for many years (5+), could the admissions committees be concerned that I forgot how to do advanced/pure math, despite my good grades from undergrad? 2) Would the committees think positively about the skills I gained through industry experience -- soft skills, "big picture" thinking skills, and the ability to manage deadlines? If so, would it be better if one of my LoRs discuss this, as opposed to the statement of purpose? If it doesn't matter for admissions, I wouldn't bother. I would really appreciate to hear what you think. Thanks.

Hi! I was reading through some of the older posts and saw that UCLA's stats program isn't as great as its name and ranking suggest. Does anyone know if UC Davis has a great program and if it's just as competitive as UCLA? Based on my profile above, should I consider it as a target/safety?

Thanks so much @Stat Assistant Professor. I should have made this more explicit -- I already graduated from college and have been working in an applied stats/data science-y role for several years. Good idea to ask my professor to specifically mention those proof-heavy classes. What I could do with real analysis is take the course through UIUC netmath (or something comparable) and mention this in the SOP - do you think this would help? I'm relieved to hear that I have a good shot at schools like Penn State. You mentioned that Columbia is a reach, which isn't surprising. Would you say that schools like Cornell and Yale fall into the same tier as Columbia in terms of competitiveness? I guessed that even if they're outside of top 15, they probably receive a lot of applicants. Thanks again.

Undergrad Institution: Top 50 in the US (known for math and stats) Major: applied math and stats GPA: 3.97 Type of Student: Domestic male GRE General Test: Haven't taken yet, but I'm expecting 168+ in Q and 155-160 in V. Programs Applying: Statistics PhD Research Experience: Nothing impressive... but I've worked in a research-type role for several years after undergrad. Letters of Recommendation: One of my college professors and two advisors/mentors from work. My advisor has a PhD in a quantitative field and will be able to talk about my research potentials. Programming Skills: Python and SAS Relevant Courses: all undergrad-level --- calc I-III, linear algebra, differential equations, abstract algebra, mathematical stats, probability theory (calc-based), stochastic processes, applied regression, and several more applied stats courses. I'm concerned that I have not taken analysis, but calc III, linear algebra, and differential equations were specifically for advanced math students and required us to learn how to do proofs (in addition to abstract algebra and stochastic processes, which were also proof-heavy). Schools: Duke, Washington, Columbia, UNC, Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA My main concern is: Is my math background enough to get into these programs? Another possible path I can take is do a masters in math (or stats?) instead to build a stronger math foundation, but I wasn't sure if that's worth it if my ultimate goal is PhD. Thanks!