2019 Stats PhD profile evaluation

[decisionhelp]

Hi guys, I'll be applying for a 2019 PhD program. I greatly appreciate your time and advice! Below is my profile:

Undergrad: Smaller state school in PA

Major: Mathematics

Minor: Statistics, Actuarial Science

GPA: 3.9 (Only 1 B from Abstract Algebra)

Type of student: Domestic White Male

Program desired: PhD in statistics

Research Experience: 1 published paper, 2 large projects in sports analytics. I've presented them at IFORS and SAS Global Forum (Oral presentations, not poster). Both accepted for presentation at INFORMs 2018 annual meeting. 1st was done entirely in SAS, uses SQL and IML and simulates baseball games (Win/Lose accuracy about 70%). Second is about optimizing pitcher rotations with a fully functional front-end. Coded all in Python. Starting another project within a few weeks, probably about sports, using machine learning. 

Teaching:  1 semester as a TA in a stats class, 4 semesters working in math tutoring center. 

Other: 1 actuarial internship at large insurance company in actuarial/analytics role, passed first two exams (P and FM)

Programming: Strong: Python, SAS, R, SQL, Latex Proficient: C++, VBA

GRE: Haven't taken yet

Course Work:  Calc 1-3, Mathematical Statistics 1-3, Statistical Computing, Statistical Modeling (grad level), Data Mining (grad level), Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra( this fall), Real Analysis (this fall), Deterministic Models of Operations Research, Stochastic Models of Operations Research

Plan on applying to:

• Ohio State
• Michigan
• NC State
• NC State Chapel Hill
• Pitt
• Penn State
• CMU
• Stanford
• Iowa State (maybe)
• Duke
• Columbia
• Rochester

Please criticize my schools, or add any you think. I've just started the list and know I need to add quite a few more. Let me know what you think!

Thanks again.

 

Edited July 20, 2018 by baseballguy123
update actuarial section

[bayessays]

All of this depends so much on you taking more math and doing well in it that I think it is sort of irresponsible to give you any advice - you haven't even taken linear algebra yet, so we really don't have much to go off at all. 

 

It's hard to tell how your math profile will look this early because you've only taken one real math class and got a B in it. Since you're not at a top school, this is not going to be looked upon favorably  You really need to do well in analysis and linear.  I'd cross of Stanford and Columbia regardless.  I think Michigan, CMU and Duke are already in your "big reach" range even if you do well in the other math classes. 

[decisionhelp]

Sorry I didn't last all of my classes. I've also taken: nonparametric statistics, number theory, interest theory, discrete mathematics, modern concepts of mathematics,  and elementary statistics 1, and 2.

Do you think my research, presentations, and publication make any contribution?

[Bayesian1701]

Your research will help, but you would ideally have two semesters of Real Analysis before you applied. Like bayessays said you don't really a lot of proof intensive courses.  For the very top programs,  you would ideally have graduate level real analysis a probability and statistics course that used multivariable calculus and some proofs.  More applied grad classes are good,  but not as helpful as theoretical ones.  You need to show you can handle advanced coursework and material. Coming from a small state school is going to make it harder for you than someone coming from an R1 university and combined with limited evidence of mathematical maturity is going to make getting into a top tier program hard.  I would pick one program out of Stanford, CMU, Duke, Columbia, and Michigan and add some middle-tier programs.  Your list is pretty top heavy and risky.