statsguy3

Undergrad Institution: Large State School, Top 50 US News and World Report (Top 20 Public) Major(s): Statistics Minor(s): Computer Science GPA: 3.925 Type of Student: Domestic White Male GRE General Test: Q: 170 (96%) V: 159 (81%) W: 5.0 (91%) Programs Applying: Statistics & Biostatistics PhD Programs Research Experience: Summer Institute in Biostatistics, multiple research projects as part of the Statistics curriculum at Home Institution. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List (all terms) Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA and grader for large online course in computer science department Letters of Recommendation: One from my Math Stat professor who closely advised my application process, one from TA supervisor (also had as a professor), one from academic advisor who I did an internship for and could speak to some circumstances regarding a couple low grades. Math/Statistics Grades: A's in all the following: Calc III, Linear Algebra, Intro to Proofs, Real Analysis I, Probability, Statistical Inference, Regression I and II, DOE, R, SAS, Stat Learning, Bayesian, Math Stat. Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: My SOP was fine but not outstanding and I probably would have liked to have another statistics professor to write a letter for me in hindsight. Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome) NC State (Statistics PhD) - Admitted / In-Person Visit / Accepted Emory (Biostatistics PhD) - In-Person Interview and Visit / Admitted / Declined Duke (Biostatistics MS) - Admitted / Declined Michigan (Statistics PhD) - Rejected Wisconsin (Statistics PhD, Biostatistics Concentration) - Rejected Penn State (Statistics PhD) - Rejected Home Institution (Biostatistics PhD) - Pending/Ghosted as of 4/14 UNC Chapel Hill (Biostatistics PhD) - Pending/Ghosted as of 4/14 Reflection: Overall it was definitely a challenging process and a difficult decision, but you just have to make the choice and pick. I really enjoyed my visits to both NC State and Emory and liked both programs for their own reasons. I got a lot of advice from faculty at my home program that helped guide the decision making process which was nice. I'm happy with the overall decision I made and I am looking forward to moving down to Raleigh this fall!