2019 statistics profile

[danny1997]

Hello all, I'm planning on applying for PhD programs in applied statistics for Fall 2019. I am wondering what you guys think about my chances for some of the programs I'm looking into and any general advice you guys have.

Undergrad: Large State University (R1 University)

GPA: 3.3 (All A's and B's except for two semesters of organic chemistry, all semesters outside of sophomore year are much better)

Majors: Biology and Mathematics

Minor: Statistics

Relevant Coursework: Calculus 1-3, Differential Equations, Intro concepts of Mathematics (a class on sets and proofs), Numeric/symbolic methods for math/ stats, Linear Algebra, Biometry, Theory of Probability, Theory of Statistics, Data Analysis (These last four classes are cross listed with graduate courses).  I am currently taking Real Analysis and Deterministic Math Modeling, next semester I am taking Bioinformatics and I'm unsure on whether or not to take Real Analysis II or a Modern Algebra course

GRE: I have not taken it yet, I did take a practice test and I did very well on the quant section (168) and pretty poorly on the verbal section so I plan to spend a good bit studying before taking it. I will also be taking the math subject test.

Research experience: I work in a plant physiology laboratory, and I have for the past three years. I have done some poster presentations, a few at my university and one at NCUR 2017 in Memphis. I have been working on a project for some time that, if the data turns out well, could be published in an alright journal. I have also helped with some bigger projects that could lead to some secondary publishings but that is less likely. I also act as a liaison for my universities office of undergraduate research and am president of our Under graduate research association, this includes helping to start up our undergraduate research journal this year.

Teaching Experience: I spent one year leading Supplementary Instruction sessions for calculus two. I now work as a tutor for the university in various math classes and occasional stats courses.

Letters of Recommendation: One from my PI, one from the head of the undergraduate research office (who before wrote me a very long one for another position), and either a math department letter or one from a professor I have worked under in the past.  

Coding Experience: R, MATLAB, some python

Misc.: I am in a fraternity that is newer to campus that is working to charter in the spring. I serve as secretary for this.

Applying to: Carnegie Mellon (definitely a reach), Cornell (another reach, but my PI has worked there in the past), Rutgers, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Pitt. All in statistics

My goal is to perform statistical research in either land reclamation ecology or alternative fuels (my research is about using woody plants for reclaiming certain sites and to later be used as biofuels)

 

If anyone has any thoughts on my chances for these programs, or also what sort of things I should be learning before going to graduate school (ie what math classes I should take before graduation and which languages would be good to learn).

Thank you all for your help!

 

 

[bayessays]

It's hard to give you an exact answer without seeing this trend (if all your low grades were in your sophomore year and then you aced every class your junior year and then got an A in analysis, that would help), but I don't see you having even an outside shot at any of these schools. I don't see you getting in anywhere above 60 on the US News rankings.  Getting a master's first might be a good option for you. 

[danny1997]

On 9/2/2018 at 10:02 PM, bayessays said:

It's hard to give you an exact answer without seeing this trend (if all your low grades were in your sophomore year and then you aced every class your junior year and then got an A in analysis, that would help), but I don't see you having even an outside shot at any of these schools. I don't see you getting in anywhere above 60 on the US News rankings.  Getting a master's first might be a good option for you. 

I was worried that would be true, especially since recently my school got rid of its statistics department. My one worry is that getting Masters would cost me a lot more as I'd be less likely to get funding for it, do you have any advice on getting funding for a Masters degree? 

[Stat Assistant Professor]

1 hour ago, danny1997 said:

I was worried that would be true, especially since recently my school got rid of its statistics department. My one worry is that getting Masters would cost me a lot more as I'd be less likely to get funding for it, do you have any advice on getting funding for a Masters degree? 

It seems like University of Georgia and University of Kentucky have funded MS programs for statistics: http://jlmartin.faculty.ku.edu/~jlmartin/masters.html

Also, it seems like there are many more funded Masters programs in Mathematics than there are in Statistics, since there is always a need for graduate math TA's for the big Intro Pre-Calc and Calculus classes. I obtained an MS in Applied Math and it was completely funded with stipend in exchange for TA'ship. Two of the other Statistics PhD students from my PhD department also completed funded Masters degrees in math (one at Ohio State and one at Wake Forest), and one of my PhD advisor's former students did a completely funded Math MS degree at Clemson (and this person is now an Assistant Prof at a top 10 Stats program).

If money is a concern, it may be worthwhile to consider MS programs in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, where you load up on statistics classes as electives (that's what I did -- I took 4 Masters levels classes in Statistics, including the Casella & Berger sequence and a few applied classes). The student who got his Masters in Mathematics from Ohio State also took the Casella & Berger sequence, in addition to the required math courses for the MS degree, so he was well-prepared for the Statistics PhD program.

Edited September 4, 2018 by Applied Math to Stat