Profile Evaluation: Fall 2020 Statistics PhDs

[captivatingCA]

Hi guys! I'm (yet another) senior applying for PhDs in statistics.

Undergrad Institution: ~Top 100 USNWR (HBCU)

Major(s): Mathematics

Minor(s): Computer Science

GPA: 3.85

Type of Student: Domestic Black Male

GRE General Test: Haven’t taken it yet, and I’m studying for it now.

Research Experience: 

• I did research during my freshman and sophomore years, but it wasn’t relevant to stats.
• I worked with a math professor at my university on a bunch of random stuff (data visualization and topology in particular) over the past two years. Right now I’m doing directed readings in probability theory with them. This wasn’t research per-se, mostly just learning the material in a more intimate setting.
• I did summer research programs after my sophomore and junior years. Both were in well-respected departments. One was in a stats department, and the other was in biomedical informatics.
• I worked with in a stat professor’s lab when I was on exchange.

Letters of Recommendation: Mentors from my past two summers of research and the professor I’ve been working with during the school year.

Math/Statistics Grades:  

Calculus II, III (A, A)

Intro to Linear Algebra (A)

Proofs and Problem Solving I, II (A, A)

Differential Equations (B)

Intro to Analysis I (A)

Numerical Analysis (A)

Probability and Statistics I, II (A, in progress)

 

CS Grades: 

Intro to Computer Science (A)

Computer Science I (A)

Computer Science II (A)

 

I spent a semester on exchange at a top 3 university (according to US News). Here are the relevant courses:

Modern Algebra I (A)

Discrete Math (A)

Essential Data Structures (A)

 

Applying to Where: 

Reach:

University of Michigan

Duke University

Carnegie Mellon University

 

I’m unsure of what “tier” to apply to, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Edited August 31, 2019 by captivatingCA

[bayessays]

Assuming you do well on the GRE, I think you could probably get into schools like that, and I'd be surprised if you had to go outside the top 40, so I'd apply to a wide range within there. I also think you'd be very competitive at any biostat program.