Chances at Professional Master's with no Research Experience

[yellowfellow]

Hi all! I am applying to several master's programs for Fall 2018 and I am hoping some of you might be able to help as I do not have much of an idea how my chances might be. I am particularly interested in 1-year professional master's in statistics programs, but I am also applying to others.

Undergrad Institution: Large state (Pac-12) Top 50 Math department
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Econ
GPA: Cum: 3.87; Major: 3.8

Type of Student: Domestic male

Relevant coursework: Calc II (A), Calc III (B), Discrete (A), Elements of Prob and Stat (A), Proofs (B), Analysis ODE (A), Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (A), Probability Theory (A), Topology (in progress), Statistics Theory (in progress), Java (A), Data Organization in C (A)

GRE General Test:
Q: 170 (97%)
V: 151 (52%)
W: 4.0 (60%)

 

Programs Applying: Cornell MPS, CMU MSP, Rice M.Stat, Brown Biostat, Columbia MA Statistics, Columbia Data Science, Brown Data Science. I did not determine that I wanted to pursue graduate studies until late 2017, which explains the lack of more "safety" schools as most deadlines passed before I began applying. 

 

Research Experience: None
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Just some GPA-based honors and selections
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Data science internship at a startup last summer

Letters of Recommendation: 1 professor, 1 post-doc, 1 from employer.
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Father did postdoctoral math research at Cornell, which happens to be my first choice, with an active and distinguished professor he is still in contact with.

 

My concern is that I have not done any undergraduate research due to being a student-athlete for 3 years and that this can affect me in two ways: first is that I have not done research and second is that my LORs will only be as good as "did well in class and went to office hours" LORs. Will undergrad research make a big difference for professional master's programs? I am also hoping my V GRE score is good enough such that it doesn't red flag. Do I have a reasonable shot at these programs this year? Thank you!!!

Edited January 24, 2018 by yellowfellow

[bayessays]

With your grades, math background, and GRE scores, you would be in good shape for some PhD programs - I can't imagine you'll have trouble getting into any of the programs you listed.  They're not research programs, so don't sweat it. I'm sure you'll have a few choices. 

[yellowfellow]

Thank you for the prompt reply! I will be keeping my fingers crossed and hoping you are right