2020 Statistics PhD Applicant Profile

[Jdriii]

Undergrad Institution : Texas A&M

Major(s): Statistics
GPA: 3.65 (had a very poor freshman year)

Minor(s): Mathematics, Philosophy

 

Type of Student: Domestic, White Male

Courses taken and taking: Calculus I (D, retook and got an A), Calculus II (B), Calculus III (A), Foundations of Mathematics (A), Differential Equations (A), Linear Algebra (Q, A), Advanced Calculus (A), Statistical Computing (A), Mathematical Statistics I (A), Mathematical Statistics II (A), Introduction to Linear Models (A), Capstone Project (Taking), Real Analysis I (Taking), Machine Learning (Taking)

 

My final semester I plan on taking Real Analysis II, Numerical Methods, and Experimental Design

GRE General Test: not taken, what should I aim for?


Grad Institution: N/A

 

Programs Applying: Statistics
Research Experience: 1. Did time series data analysis on astronomical data with statistics professor

                                       2. Did research with a (different) statistics professor on Machine Learning methods

                                       3. Directed study with logic professor on computability theory

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TAed and TAing stats courses. 

Letters of Recommendation: One professor from stats department with specialization in time series, strong; One associate professor from the stats department; One associate professor at the philosophy department, I took two directed studies with him and got an A, strong.

Research Interest: Mathematical Statistics, Time Series, Stochastic Processes, Network Science.

 

Applying to where: Illinois, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Rice, UC Irvine, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Rutgers, Boston, Northwestern, Maryland (Reach?) 

 

I'm really unsure of the type of school I am competitive for. Recommendations/ adaptations to my list are appreciated.

 

My goal is to go somewhere that sets me up i a good position to stay in academia after graduation. I'm sort of worried about my GPA and whether the schools I'm considering are realistic.

[bayessays]

With a lower GPA and some bad early grades, your results might be a little erratic, but I think you have the right idea about the types of programs you should be aiming for. Having good letters from stats professors at a top department will help you.  I don't think any school on your list is going to be a safe bet, but I think you have a good shot at a lot of them assuming you get As in your current math class and do well on your GRE - I'd shoot for at least a 166 Q but the higher the better.