Enough for applying to Phd

[tiop]

Hello, i'm in undergrad at a small unknown liberal arts university. I'm planning on pursuing graduate school (applying next year), ideally a phd in statistics however i'd like to get opinions on my chances with my background / the best way forward. Unfortunately my undergrad school severely limits my options and i regret coming here but thats a different conversation.

Type of Student: Domestic, White Male

City College
Major: Philosophy
GPA: 3.3
Note: Dicked around in my early days wrecking my GPA but had straight A's the last couple semesters.

Undergrad Institution: Small unknown liberal arts university 

Major: Mathematics and Computer Science (Very applied program, the list of required classes is small.)
GPA: 3.8/3.9
Classes: All courses should be A's / A-'s with the exception of a B- in Calc I By the time I graduate I will have completed : Calculus(I, II, III), Real Analysis (directed study), Applied Differential Equations, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra (very elementary but i'm studying more in depth on the side), Multivariate Statistical Analysis, Programming(I, II),  Databases, Introduction to Data Science, Data Structures, Efficient Algorithms.

Programs Applying: Statistics, maybe Comp Sci

GRE: Haven't taken yet.

Research Experience: Going to start doing some research in applied logic with one of my professors soon. 

Main questions and concerns: My undergrad institution is not well known and is also not very rigorous. My city college gpa was fairly bad. I'm not sure I have enough proof based math exposure and I won't have taken any mathematical statistics courses or probability courses (other than MOOCs) by the time i graduate. One question i have is if studying for the math subject GRE could be any help in this regard. If i have a chance what types of schools should i be looking at? Should i be looking for thesis based masters programs that have funding as well? (If these exist?) Anyways thanks a lot for the suggestions.

[Stat Assistant Professor]

With your current profile, you could probably get into a lower ranked Statistics PhD program. I don't think your city college GPA will matter that much, especially if the classes are not in quantitative areas. But I would maybe briefly address it somewhere in your statement of purpose (one-two sentences) and point out the upward trend and your strong performance after you enrolled in a four-year program.

However, if what you say is true about your undergrad institution not being very rigorous, then that is much more concerning than the fact that it is unknown. Above all else, you need to be able to handle rigorous mathematical statistics and statistical theory courses in the first two years of your PhD program, and you need to be able to pass qualifying exams on that stuff. Have you taken any proof-based classes (besides Real Analysis, which seems like it is a directed study rather than a class)? If you have only minimal exposure to advanced mathematics, then you will likely struggle in a Statistics PhD program (both the classes and passing the qualifying exams). If you want to maximize your chances of succeeding in a Stat PhD program, I would recommend applying to a handful of Masters programs (there are some funded ones in mathematics, and you can do a concentration in Statistics) where you can gain the requisite mathematical skills and then applying to Statistics PhD programs.

If you are insistent on applying to PhD programs in the fall, then is there any way for you to take math/stat classes at a more rigorous university over the summer? Many R1 universities typically have two summer sessions. If it is not too cost-prohibitive for you, I would recommend taking Real Analysis as a class (not as a directed study) and Calculus-based undergraduate probability during one summer term, and then in the second summer term, taking proof-based Linear Algebra and undergraduate upper-level statistics. Depending on your performance here, you can then appropriately calibrate your list of schools to apply to.

Edited April 28, 2019 by Stat PhD Now Postdoc

[tiop]

15 hours ago, Stat PhD Now Postdoc said:

With your current profile, you could probably get into a lower ranked Statistics PhD program. I don't think your city college GPA will matter that much, especially if the classes are not in quantitative areas. But I would maybe briefly address it somewhere in your statement of purpose (one-two sentences) and point out the upward trend and your strong performance after you enrolled in a four-year program.

However, if what you say is true about your undergrad institution not being very rigorous, then that is much more concerning than the fact that it is unknown. Above all else, you need to be able to handle rigorous mathematical statistics and statistical theory courses in the first two years of your PhD program, and you need to be able to pass qualifying exams on that stuff. Have you taken any proof-based classes (besides Real Analysis, which seems like it is a directed study rather than a class)? If you have only minimal exposure to advanced mathematics, then you will likely struggle in a Statistics PhD program (both the classes and passing the qualifying exams). If you want to maximize your chances of succeeding in a Stat PhD program, I would recommend applying to a handful of Masters programs (there are some funded ones in mathematics, and you can do a concentration in Statistics) where you can gain the requisite mathematical skills and then applying to Statistics PhD programs.

If you are insistent on applying to PhD programs in the fall, then is there any way for you to take math/stat classes at a more rigorous university over the summer? Many R1 universities typically have two summer sessions. If it is not too cost-prohibitive for you, I would recommend taking Real Analysis as a class (not as a directed study) and Calculus-based undergraduate probability during one summer term, and then in the second summer term, taking proof-based Linear Algebra and undergraduate upper-level statistics. Depending on your performance here, you can then appropriately calibrate your list of schools to apply to.

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

[BL250604]

I agree, as always with Postdoc. I'd be much more concerned about the lack of rigor in your background than anything else. Summer programs are great options as well. That being said, the A's are helpful and your background isn't that bad, to be honest. I would say some of the lower ranked programs you can definitely get into, and for sure some M.S. programs, at a minimum. If you want to chat more in private about your background, classes, institution or the process, feel free to shoot me a message. As I'll be starting in the fall (and have already committed) I am on here less but still check a couple days a week, at a minimum.

B