[2022 Applicant Profiles and Admission Results for Statistics/Biostatistics]

Undergrad Institution: one of Toronto/UBC/McGill/Waterloo
Major(s): Double major in Computer Science and Statistics 
Minor(s): None
GPA: 4.00 

Type of Student: International Asian 

GRE General Test*:
Not taken.

GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
Not taken.
 

Programs Applying: Statistics PhD

 

Research Experience: 

• Summer 2020/2021, Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 on copula models and extreme value theory (a paper is about to be submitted for review, full-time research in mathematical stats)
• Fall 2021 on scientific computing (a conference paper is prepared, research project via a computer science project course)
• Summer 2022 on functional data analysis (I had not immersed into this project by the time when I applied to graduate schools, but I mentioned this upcoming full-time research)

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:  Several school-wise academic and research awards 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:  None

 

Letters of Recommendation: Two strong letters of recommendation from project supervisors; One letter of recommendation from the professor of my measure theoretic probability course. 

 

Coursework and grades(All A's except the ones which were S/Ued due to the pandemic):

• Mathematics: Honours analysis 1, Honours analysis 2 (basic point-set topology), abstract algebra 1, Honours algebra 2 (S/U), Honours probability theory,  Measure-theoretic probability, Vector calculus, Honours matrix numerical analysis; Honours complex analysis; Convex optimization; Honours Analysis 4 (Introduction to functional analysis)
• Statistics: Mathematical statistics, Non-parametric statistics, Regression, Generalized linear model
• Computer Science: Algorithm and data structures, Introduction to software system, Introduction to computer system (S/U), Programming languages and paradigms, Honours algorithm designs (linear programming, complexity theory, approximation algorithm, etc.), Introduction to data science, Applied machine learning; Theory of computation, Matrix Computation (equivalent to a graduate numerical analysis course offered by the math department)

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Based on the words of interviewers from different departments, my math background and experiences in theoretical statistics research are something they appreciate, and my lack of exposure to applied statistics courses/research doesn't diminish the profile in general. 

Applying to Where:  (All the admissions are fully funded)
UC Berkeley - Interview on Jan. 18th and 31st - Rejected on Feb. 11th

Toronto - Interview on Jan. 28th and 31st - Admitted on Feb. 9th - Declined (Had only two weeks to decide)

UW-Madison - Admitted on Feb. 1st with a fellowship - Declined

CMU - Admitted on Feb. 14th - attending

Columbia - Interview on Feb. 15th - Admitted on Mar. 2nd - Declined

Washington - Admitted on Feb. 16th - Declined

Harvard - Rejected on Feb. 18th

Michigan - Admitted on Feb. 22nd - Declined 

McGill - Rejected on April 5th

UNC-Chapel Hill - Rejected on April 19th (yes, it was very late...)

 

Total Places Applied: 10

Total Places Admitted: 6

Total Places Rejected: 4

 

Relevant Information:

UC Berkeley - The interviews were behavioral rather than technical, but one of the interviewers was a bit hostile. The department admitted about 1/3~1/2 of the students who were interviewed.

Toronto - One of the interviews was technical about mathematical statistics (e.g., consistency, sufficiency, etc) and measure theory (e.g., modes of convergence and conditional expectations). Admissions are released on a rolling basis. According to the interviewers, the department is trying to accept students with theoretical and applied statistics/math backgrounds on a 1:1 ratio. Holding a master's degree increases the chance of getting an admission. 

CMU - I didn't mention any potential supervisor in my SOP to CMU, but it didn't lead to a rejection.

Columbia - The interview had nothing really technical; I was just asked to list certain course materials and state some theorems. The interview was hinting an admission during the interview. The department has enormous academic resources (probably the best among all the schools I applied to IMO). As it is expanding, the department is accepting up to 15 students per year now. 

Washington - It is the only department which didn't hold any in-person visit. 

Harvard - All the interview invitations were sent out on a day. Candidates had access to a google sheet to choose their preferred time for interview(s). Not receiving the invitation on the day essentially meant a rejection.

 

[Profile Evaluation for Statistics PhD Fall 2022]

Thank you very much. Your response is very useful for me to plan my further education !

[Profile Evaluation for Statistics PhD Fall 2022]

Type: International asian male 

Bachelor Institution: McGill University (Canada)

Major: double major in honours computer science and statistics 

GPA: 4.0/4.0 (got A for all the courses taken that are not S/Ued due to the pandemic)

Courses taken: 

Ｍathematics : Honours analysis 1, Honours analysis 2 (topology), abstract algebra 1, Honours algebra 2 (S/U), Honours probability theory,  Measure-theoretic probability, Vector calculus, Honours matrix numerical analysis  

Statistics : Mathematical statistics, Non-parametric statistics, Regression, Generalized linear model

CS : Algorithm and data structures, Introduction to computer system (S/U), Programming languages and paradigms, Honours algorithm designs (linear programming, complexity theory, approximation algorithm, etc.), Introduction to data science, Applied machine learning 

Other courses I will take before my graduation:

Mathematics : Honours analysis 4 (functional analysis), Optimization, Stochastic Process

CS: Theory of computation, Matrix Computation (equivalent to a graduate numerical analysis course offered by the math department)

Master institution: N/A

Research experience:

Done/Progressing: Summer 2020/2021 on copulas theory (a paper expected to be published, full-time research)

Other research that I will do: Fall 2021 on functional data analysis (full-time research), Winter 2022 on deep learning theory (through a cs project course)

GRE: I will take them in July

LOR: Expecting 1 decent and 2 strong recommendations

I currently consider to apply to 6 stats PhD (UC berkeley, U of Washington, Harvard, Cornell, U of Toronto and one more) plus the fast-track master at McGill. I wonder if the idea would be realistic in light of my profile, and If I should apply to more schools for safety. 

I appreciate any advice in advance !