Stats Masters Chances

[WibblyWoobly]

Hi everyone, I'm gonna apply for a statistics masters in the fall, and wanted to know if I should expand the schools I'm considering (are they too top heavy)? Any additional advice or help is appreciated!

* More interested in industry-focused programs but open to PhD preparation programs.

Major: Applied Mathematics

GPA: 3.68 / 4.00 cumulative

Type of Student: Domestic Male

School: Top 5 Public (Top 3 Applied Math, Top 10 Pure Math)

Relevant Courses: 

Single Variable Calculus (AP/AP), Multivariable Calc (B-/B+), Intro Linear Algebra (B+), Intro Differential Equations (A-), Linear Algebra I (B-), Mathematical Modeling (B+),  Complex Analysis (B), Real Analysis I (B+), Real Analysis II (C), Systems of Nonlinear DEs (A-), ODEs (C+), Varied Mathematics (A+), Intro Statistics (A), Intro Statistical Programming (A-), Probability Theory (A), Intro Math Stats (B), Analysis and Regression (A-), Design of Experiment (A-), Data Mining and Machine Learning (A+), Statistical Research (A+), Intro to Statistical Computation (A), Optimization Statistics (A), Econometrics (A) (if relevant)

 

Relevant Courses (after undergrad):

 

Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Real Analysis (A), Mathematics for Statistics and Computation (A, expected) (both taken at Harvard Extension to improve my profile) 

 

GRE: 

168V/170Q/4.5AW

 

Programs Applying: 

Statistics Masters

 

Research Experience: 

None except a literature review class

 

Recommendation Letter: 

Two likely Strong, One Good

 

Coding Experience:

R, Python, Stata, LaTex

 

Other experience: 

Private tutoring

 

Awards/Honors:  

College Honors, Phi Beta Kappa

 

Targeted Schools:  

 

Stanford

UWashington

CMU

Duke

UChicago

Columbia

John Hopkins

UNC

UPenn

 

Not sure if there is anything more I can do to strengthen my profile before November time!

 

Thanks everyone!

[StuartLittle]

You should consider applying for an REU. That will strengthen your profile.

 

[WibblyWoobly]

I actually already graduated and am now working, so I'm not sure a REU will work out

Any other suggestions?  

[bayessays]

I think you'll probably get into a couple schools there, but maybe add a safety just in case - I don't think you'll need it. The C in real analysis and B-s in the other math classes might be a problem at some places, but you have great GRE and GPA from a top school. Most these masters programs aren't super competitive because you have to pay your own way. 

[WibblyWoobly]

Alright, thanks for your insight! Is there any additional benefit to taking the subject test, if anything to increase my chances at harder to crack programs such as Stanford's?

[bayessays]

I think if you did very well, it would ease any fears at those top programs and help immensely. I think it might be overkill to spend months studying for it though when it's not a required or even recommended part of those applications. 

[statfan]

Your math/stat gpa matters much more than your cumulative gpa and unfortunantely your major gpa turns out to be much lower than your overall gpa. Although masters are much less competitive than phds, your consistent B's in math courses is still a huge concern. Without evidence of strong math skills in your other part of application, it would be unlikely to get into top masters programs. I would advise you to look into some programs ranked 20-30, or do well in math GRE to show that you actually have sufficient math skills.

[WibblyWoobly]

That's what I was afraid of, that my math gpa isn't as good as I need it to be. Hence why I have taken the 2 courses from Harvard Extension to try to alleviate concerns about my Linear Algebra, Real Analysis and Multivariable Calculus in particular. Unfortunately, many of the other classes that I didn't do as well in (Complex Analysis, Real Analysis II, ODEs) are very difficult to find for working professionals, unless I want to re-enroll in undergraduate classes.

I am not averse to studying for the next half year to take the Math GRE, I'm just unsure if it'll show anything more than that I have mastered basic calculus and linear algebra, since that is what the test mainly is (not saying that those questions will necessarily be easy though). Would it be better for me to find, for example, a Real Analysis II class and retake it?

Edited February 8, 2018 by WibblyWoobly

[Cal1gula]

In my opinion, it would be better for you to re-take a Real Analysis II class, and maybe some other pure math classes such as Abstract Algebra/Topology (see this post: https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/99147-what-im-looking-at-when-i-review-applications/?tab=comments#comment-1058527404).

Plus, you'll probably learn more from it rather than cramming for some standardized test!

 

 

[WibblyWoobly]

I think the overall issue with going back and taking those classes is finding a program where I can actually enroll in them! I have certainly tried to call departments in the past year to ask if I could enroll in these kinds of courses at the undergraduate level, and generally the answer is "you can enroll if they don't fill up ... which is unlikely", barring the fact that many are during prime working hours! Thanks for the link though, I will definitely check out what's posted there!  

[ErdosJr]

Don't worry too much about your grades in analysis, it would be a big redflag for a PHD program; however, many masters applicants have little to none proof based math experience. Your school selection is good, although IDK if you wanna apply to UW, Columbia (Cash Cows & Not Rigorous). Also does UPenn even offer a masters in stats? I got into a few of the schools you listed for a masters in stats. My background was at a similar top 5 public, 3.5 overall in double major physics/math,  and around 3.8 math GPA with two graduate math courses. Your GRE scores are really, really,  good also. Really focus on your SOP, and I think you'll get into at least 1 of the schools you mentioned! Also, the subject GRE is something you could take, but in all honesty you probably will not need.

[WibblyWoobly]

Thanks for your advice! My employer encouraged me to apply to Columbia and UWashington (since apparently my employer has connections within those Statistics departments), so that's why I was considering those even though I kinda knew that they were not that rigorous (Columbia in particular).

 

Also, UPenn doesn't offer a masters! I misinterpreted the page I was looking at.

 

I think I will end up taking the Math GRE in October and will start reviewing for it now. As far as I know, none of those programs require it, though some like Stanford seem to imply that they wouldn't mind seeing it. If I do poorly, I just won't send. But since I really want to go to Stanford's or UChicago's programs, I want to try to best alleviate any concerns over my poor math performance during undergrad.