statistics phd/ms profile evaluation - international student

[maximmm]

Hi everyone, I am looking for some advice on what schools are save for me. Thanks a lot in advance!

Undergraduate Institution: University of Toronto

Major: double major in statistics and math

GPA: 3.88 (or 88 percentage according to my own calculation)

GRE: 157V 170Q 4W 

GRE Math Subject: didn't have the time to take it

Type of Student: International Asian female

Research Experience: 

1. Worked as an RA for a social science prof for more than one year, which includes text mining(classification) using machine learning methods, network analysis, and regression models.
2. One spatial analysis project on air quality.
3. Something maybe not worth mentioning: Participated in the DataFest in our university and a financial data competition(both no price).

Publications and Presentations: none

Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from two social science profs from research experience 1, and one letter from a statistics postdoc from research experience 2. I know it is kind of weird not having any letters from statistics profs, but I am sure the two social science profs (one of which worked in quantitative field) will give me very strong letters since they know me pretty well and the postdoc might also write a strong one about me.

Relevant Courses:

1. Math: DID NOT take Real Analysis. Took Linear Algebra(I and II), Multivariable Calculus, Abstract Mathematics, ODE, Non-Linear Optimization, Group Theory, Graph Theory, Number Theory.
2. Statistics: Probability and Statistics(I and II), Multivariate Data, Methods of Data Analysis(I and II), Data Mining and Machine Learning, Statistical Computation, Time Series, Survey and Sampling.
3. Programming: R

Applying to Where:

• MS: University of Toronto, University of Waterloo
• PhD: Boston University, University of Minnesota

I have very few schools on my list now, so I am looking for more PhD programs that are save for my situation because I understand I might not have a shot at top schools like U Chicago or Duke. I am also looking for MS programs with funding. Thank you! Any advice is appreciated!

 

[statfan]

You have a very good chance of getting into Waterloo. If you are a Canadian PR/citizen, you also have a good shot of getting into u of t. However, without real analysis, it would be difficult to crack top statistics phd programs. You can try to apply a few phd programs but I would mainly focus on masters programs in Canada, as most of them are research based. Assuming you get A's in real analysis and produce meaningful research during your masters, you will stand a chance at almost every top phd program.

[maximmm]

14 minutes ago, statfan said:

You have a very good chance of getting into Waterloo. If you are a Canadian PR/citizen, you also have a good shot of getting into u of t. However, without real analysis, it would be difficult to crack top statistics phd programs. You can try to apply a few phd programs but I would mainly focus on masters programs in Canada, as most of them are research based. Assuming you get A's in real analysis and produce meaningful research during your masters, you will stand a chance at almost every top phd program.

Thank you! These are very helpful advice! I am not Canadian PR/citizen so I know getting into U of T is hard for me. But one thing I don't really like about the master's program at U of T is that it's only one year and course-based even though it is funded.