kawaiiresa

Thank you for all of the suggestions. The math department is not offering any sort of independent study this semester and there aren't any other local colleges within reasonable driving distance offering the course. I believe this course is only offered in the fall as well. It seems like I won't be able to take the course at all this fall. Historically, it seems as it independent study is offered during the spring, so hopefully, I will be able to do an independent study of real analysis next semester. I did have a chance to talk with someone who sits on an admissions committee for biostatistics PhD programs over the summer, and he said that while it is preferred that students take real analysis before enrollment, there have been cases where PhD students took it either the summer before their first year or during their first semester. However, in the event that I cannot take the course before I graduate, should I mention this predicament at all in my statement of purpose (perhaps as a sort of small comment at the end)?

I registered for classes months ago and planned on taking Real Analysis. However, this morning, I found out a class that I need to take for my major to graduate has moved to the same time slot. I really need to take both courses, but now I can only take the one needed for graduation (there is only one section of both of these classes). I will be applying to graduate schools this fall, and I know most of them look for Real Analysis. Should I mention the schedule conflict at all in my statement of purpose? Would schools understand? Thanks for the advice.

Hi everyone, I will applying for biostatistics PhD programs in the fall, and I just wanted to know if I would be a good candidate for programs. Undergrad institution: Top 20 public university Major: Statistics Overall GPA: 3.95/4.00 Major GPA: 3.92/4.00 Type of student: Domestic female Courses: Intro stats (A), Regression (A), Experimental Design (A), Time Series (A), Nonparametrics (A), Stochastic Processes (A), Stats Programming (A), Math Stat 1 (A-), Sampling (A), Stat Consulting (A), Calc II (A), Multivariable Calc (A), Intro to Proofs (A), Sequences and Series (A), Linear Algebra (A). I've taken some of the stats courses at the graduate level. In the fall, I'll be taking a graduate linear models course, real analysis, and abstract algebra. I registered for real analysis last fall but had to withdraw because the professor was terrible (he gave everyone 20s/30s on the first exam). Hopefully when I take it again, I'll be able to get an A. Will my withdrawal hurt my chances at getting into top programs? I'm worried that my reason for withdrawing will be seen as a weak excuse. GRE: I haven't taken it yet (I will take it in August), but hopefully I do well Research Experience: I did SIBS after my freshman year, worked at a federal stats agency after my sophomore year, and I'm doing a stats-related REU this summer. I also do biostats research with a professor at my home institution. We have published one paper together, and we're currently working on another. The paper wasn't published in a super prestigious journal, but I don't care. I'm just happy that it was accepted Awards/Honors: Math Department Achievement Award, Best Statistics Consulting Student Jobs/Volunteer Activities: I work at the school cafeteria (lol, that won't really help my application...), and I volunteer with a math outreach organization. Rec Letters: I will be asking my research mentor that I've been working with for ~2 years, my undergrad advisor (who has written letters for me in the past), and probably my stat consulting professor, who I established a really great relationship with this past semester. I may also ask the professor I'm working with this summer. Research Interests: Infectious diseases, cancer stats, mixed models, survival analysis, clinical trials. These aren't set in stone, but I've had exposure to these areas. In my statement of purpose, how specific should I be about my interests? Other info: I'm actually pursuing a joint BS/MS, so when I graduate in Spring 2016, I'll be graduating with two degrees. It's been challenging, but I really enjoy getting into the theoretical underpinnings of stats. I want to go into biostats because I want to apply the methods I've been learning. Schools I plan to apply to: Washington, Hopkins, Wisconsin, Berkeley, Harvard, Michigan, Florida, Ohio State, Emory, UPitt, UGA, Minnesota, Columbia. Is that too many? Should I look into other schools? Overall, I'm just looking for feedback on the strength of my application. I'm really worried about the withdrawal from Real Analysis, so any advice about that would be helpful. I'd also appreciate any general tips on the application process. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

Hi, I am an undergraduate student at a large state school. My school offers a major in statistics and I am very interested in this field, so I have decided to declare this as my major. My school also offers a dual degree program so I can get my Bachelor's and Master's in four years. I am just wondering if this is worth it? My school's statistics department isn't amazing, so is it worth it to get my Master's there or should I apply to a more prestigious program later? My only concern is cost. I also hope to get a PhD as well, and it would be my dream to earn that degree from a university abroad. Any advice? I'll have the chance to talk to my adviser over the summer if that helps at all. Thanks.