SteelBite

I applied to 14 schools. It definitely can be done without stretching yourself thin, but it does require some money and careful documentation of your applications (I had an excel spreadsheet). My reasons were a combination of being international (so lower admission odds), wanting to get into a top school, and fear of getting in nowhere, mostly by seeing discussions here. I ended up getting into one of my top choices, so looking back I'd drop a few schools, admission in general is a bit easier than it's made out to be here. Best of luck!

Undergrad Institution: Foreign tech school, ranked 101-150 in mathematics on ARWU Major(s): Mathematics Minor(s): N/A GPA: 91.1 (converted to 3.94 with WES) Type of Student: International white male GRE General Test: Q: 170 (96%) V: 162 (90%) W: 4.0 (54%) GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: N/A TOEFL Score: 116 = R30/L30/S27/W29 Grad Institution: Same Concentration: Mathematics GPA: 97.2, but incomplete Programs Applying: Statistics PhD at all places except for MIT (mathematics) Research Experience: Worked on some abstract algebraic topology problem and got preliminary results, can't really call it research Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 4xDean's list, cum laude Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for 2.5 years, taught linear algebra, abstract algebra and fundamentals. Also tutored in lots of subjects. Worked for two years in an unrelated software engineering-ish role Letters of Recommendation: The advisor the MSc I didn't finish, a professor who saw me deliver a few seminar lectures and my real analysis professor. The first might have some recognition, but not in statistics. Math/Statistics Grades: Not going to list everything, but I guess the important ones are: Calc-based probability 99, Real Analysis 95, Numerical Analysis 96, Optimisation Theory 83, Intro to Applied Mathematics 83, ODEs 88 Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Some of the math classes mentioned were grad classes, along with more grad classes in algebra and topology Applying to Where: Harvard (statistics) - Rejected MIT (mathematics) - Rejected Columbia (statistics) - Interview, then Rejected NYU Stern (statistics at IOMS) - Rejected UPenn Wharton (statistics) - Rejected CMU (statistics and data science) - Rejected Pitt (statistics) - Waitlisted, then declined UT Austin (statistics and data science) - Rejected UChicago (statistics) - Accepted and attending! Northwestern (statistics) - Rejected UW Madison (statistics) - Waitlisted, declined after later being contacted by an adcom member due to preferring UChicago UWashington (statistics) - Rejected UCLA (statistics) - Rejected USC Marshall (statistics at DSO) - Rejected Comments: Overall very happy with the results. I was afraid I'd get in nowhere, but in retrospect people give too much weight to nonsense like essays or GRE subject exams, and real admission rates are higher than what is presented. I got a bit bummed after Columbia got my hopes up only to later dash them, but UChicago should be great.

Yep, they sent out an email telling me to ignore it.

Just got an email from Pitt (oddly enough, from SCI rather than Dietrich, where the stats department is located) that an offer of graduate admission to the PhD in statistics should be available at my account on the university website, and that my academic advisor is Dr. None (hmm). This seemed odd, especially since applications only closed on Saturday, so I logged onto the system and sure enough, the decision was still pending. I followed up with the sender for further details, will keep y'all posted.

Finished filling out my last application today. Applied to 14 statistics PhD programmes, and some are definitely ambitious. Hope I get into one, and that some life signs will show in January since I hate this waiting game.

It is indeed optional, but nothing "optional" on the applications truly feels that way to me.

Hey everyone! I'm applying to 14 stats programmes this year, and three of them are under business schools (Wharton, Stern and Marshall). I'm particularly worried about Stern's personal statement. What does an international white heterosexual male who does not lean left have to contribute to diversity? I could go on about teaching underprivileged high schoolers and soldiers at various points in life, but that seems to somewhat miss the point, and I don't want to come off as a white saviour.

Hi everyone, Now that my LoR writers have submitted all of the letters, I'm thinking of getting them something as a token of my appreciation. Is this customary? If so, what have you guys gotten your LoR writers? Thanks!

A few hours ago I got an email from UCLA asking me to specify my faculty preferences. Is this standard protocol for the department?

Update: Taking classes (in particular mathematical statistics; linear and logistic models and nonparametric tests; causal inference; non-cooperative games; computational statistics), though sadly no grades will be available by the time applications close. Does this work in my favour? Still stressing out about being an international candidate with no statistical research experience and fearing a worst-case scenario where I get rejected by every single one of the schools.

As I'm filling out the forms, most of them are asking for previous honours and awards I've received, most of which do not detail a time period. Scholarships, graduating cum laude and making the dean's list seem like obvious additions, but should I address accomplishments in national high school level mathematics olympiads, or would that be too old/irrelevant? Thanks!

Yes, it was the same class. Thanks for the suggestion.

That's a fair point. I actually had great grades, especially in the classes most relevant to my research, but insecurities caused a lot of other issues which led to me dropping out. I have worked out those issues and have found a field in which my interest is more robust, so I am far more confident regarding my ability to succeed at the moment. Perhaps I should mention that said lecturer is not a research professor, but rather a long-time external lecturer. Either way, thank you for your input.

Hi, I'm applying to PhD programmes in statistics after an undergraduate degree in mathematics and a failed master's in a very different mathematical area. My adviser in said master's and a professor from the department with whom I took one class and two seminars are going to write rec letters for me, but I'm not sure which of these routes is best for my third rec letter: 1. A prof with whom I took a relevant class and got a great grade (99 in probability and 95 in real analysis, two different profs) but otherwise doesn't know me very well. 2. A TA from two classes (probablity and calc 1) who knows me better, has already finished his PhD and is now doing a PhD in mathematical data science at a top 50 institution. 3. A lecturer with whom I worked as a TA for five semesters and created reworked class notes. Thanks!

Updates: Took the TOEFL, not worried about my score there. Still waiting for registration to open for the mathematics GRE. Going to take an intro to statistical modelling class at a local university (Shanghai 76-100 subject ranking in statistics) this coming autumn semester, so sadly no grade by the time applications are due. Also considering a class in mathematical finance. Would these look good on my application? At any rate, I plan on doing a master's there if I don't get into a PhD programme. As far as my research interests go, I'm mostly interested in applications of statistics in finance and medicine. As far as schools and expectations go, are these realistic? Reach: Harvard, Penn, Columbia, Chicago, CMU, Washington, UCLA, UW, MIT (mathematics department) Target: UT Austin, OSU, Northwestern, Pitt Attainable: Rutgers, NYU, USC, Boston U