Fall 2019 Statistics PhD Profile Evaluation/School Recommendation

[MahanDastgiri]

Hi everybody,

I'm having a hard time deciding on which grad school to apply to, as I haven't taken my GRE yet and currently I haven't done any research; my research project will be next semester. I was wondering if any of you can help me with my choices. Here is my profile:

Undergrad Institution: Best University in Malaysia (87th based on QS World University Ranking)

Major: Statistics

GPA: 3.71

Student Type: International Female

GRE General Test: Haven't taken yet. Is it possible to get offered a conditional acceptance without GRE? Since the verbal will be difficult for me, need to study for it.

Courses:

Math: Basic Mathematics (A), Calculus I (A+), Introduction to Computing (A+), Calculus II (A+), Linear Algebra (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Introduction to Combinatorics (A+), Differential Equations (A), Advanced Calculus (A+).               

Stats: Probability & Statistics I (A-), Introduction to Statistics (A+), Regression Analysis (A), Probability & Statistics II (B-), Non-Parametric Statistics (A+), Basic Operational Research (A), Probability & Statistical Inference (A), Data Analysis (A), Design and Analysis of Experiments (A), Stochastic Processes (ongoing), Survey Sampling (ongoing), Data Mining (ongoing).

Programs Applying: PhD in Statistics/MS in Data Science(funding is an issue)

Research Experience: None yet (I will start a research project next semester which will be after my applications)

Awards/honors: Dean's List

Programming Experience: R, S-Plus, SPSS, C++

Teaching Experience: Tutor for A-Level Math

Letters of Recommendation: I think I will have decent letters, one from Stats Professor who is the program coordinator, One from the head of the department, One from a Math professor.

Applying to where: 

Reach: NCSU, Texas A&M, John Hopkins, Northwestern, UT Austin, UIUC, Rice, Purdue, Penn State, Ohio State, Brown, Boston University, UCDavis

Target: USC, Iowa State, Minnesota, Arizona State, Rutgers, Florida, Michigan State, Virginia tech, Maryland College Park, UCIrvine, UCSanta Barbara, Pittsburgh, Iowa, George Washington, Arizona, Indiana, Emory

I want to narrow down my choices to about 10 schools. I'm not sure which ones will be safe choices for me and which will be too high. I would appreciate if anyone can have a look at my profile and recommend the schools for me. 

Thank you. 

Edited October 22, 2018 by MahanDastgiri