Stats PhD Application Evaluation Request

[mathfriend]

Hello,

I’m a current MS student in Math (expected graduation Spring 2020) applying to PhD programs in Statistics for Fall 2020 and am looking for feedback on my tentative school list - apologies if this is posted in the incorrect place or manner! 

Undergraduate Institution: Top 10 US public university

Graduate Institution: Local state school

Majors: Economics

GPA:  Undergrad 3.96, Grad 4.00

Type of student: White female

Relevant Courses:

Undergraduate:

·         Introduction to Statistics (A+), Econometrics (A), Applied Econometrics (A)

·         Calculus I -III , Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (A)

·         Proof writing (A)

·         Intro Mathematical Probability , Mathematical Statistics I, II         (A)

·         Advanced Calculus I, II (Real Analysis I, II) (A)

·         Abstract Algebra,  Number Theory, Advanced Linear Algebra (A)

·         Numerical Analysis (A)

Graduate:

·         Topology             (A)

·         Measure Theory (A)

·         Multivariate Statistics (A)

·         Computational Statistics (IP)

·         Calculus on Manifolds (IP)

GRE General: Q170 (96), V170 (99), AW5.5 (98)

GRE Subject: I really don’t want to take it!

Research Experience: Year long project in probability, presented at a conference, summer project in machine learning presented at a big conference and papers submitted (but I probably won’t hear back in time), current thesis in regression methods for complex data structures (being as vague as possible here because it’s pretty niche).

Work Experience: Two years at a think tank, supervisor on a Math REU, instructor of undergrad mathematics (labs and lectures).  

Honors and Awards: a bunch of university based awards.

Letters: All from Math/Stats professors, all but one of whom I’ve done research with. I expect them to be very strong.

Interests: Are varied – causal inference, algebraic statistics, machine learning, anything with good theoretical meat.

Concerns: I don’t have any formal training in Computer Science, but I’ve done extensive work in Python, Matlab, R (mostly R). I’m having a hard time narrowing my schools down based on research interest, since there’s so much I’ve enjoyed – all I know is that I don’t want Biostats.

Am at any kind of disadvantage having an MS already? I know there are many undergrads who have about as much graduate math as I do, but my undergrad was in another field. 

Schools: I am obviously biased towards CA. All programs are Statistics PhD’s unless otherwise indicated.

·         Reach: Berkeley, Harvard

·         Target: NCSU, Duke, UCLA, UC Davis

·         Safe: UCSB, UCI, UCSD (Dept of Math and Statistics), JHU, Colorado State

Questions about schools:

According to US News, UCI is ranked 50^th, but looking around here I’m seeing it referred to as a strong program. What am I missing?

I wish I had a more realistic “reach”, but I’m very geographically biased. Suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[bayessays]

You have a pretty fantastic profile.  I'd say you would very likely get into a top 10 program if you applied to all of them. I'd be very surprised if you didn't get into NCSU/UCLA/Davis.  UCI and CSU are great schools even if they're ranked a little lower, so I don't think you're selling yourself short. JHU and UCSD will have fewer statisticians because of the mixed departments. UCSB is probably a very safe option and you can get into a better program. UCI is a new program so it is ranked a little lower but they have some amazing people. Based on your seeming geographical limits, I'd look into UNC, Boston U and UCSC (the latter two being safer options).  If you want to go into academia, I think you should apply to any other top 20 programs that appeal to you geographically because you certainly have the profile.

[mathfriend]

Thank you for your input. Boston U and UCSC had been on previous incarnations of my list and I will give them a closer look. 

After sleeping on it, I realized that my real concerns about my application are that I have research experience but no publications, and that all of my most recent Math courses were from a state school (with a good Math department) rather than my more prestigious undergrad. 

And to clarify my geographic concerns: I have a strong preference for California, but have friends and have spend time in Boston and NC and would consider those as well. 

Thanks again!

[bayessays]

Research isn't a big concern.  Essentially nobody has meaningful research going into a statistics PhD so this won't hurt you at all - you have way more experience than most.  If you had done poorly in your master's, it would hurt your profile, but you got a 4.0 so at a minimum it will help a little bit.  Your GRE score is unreal.  I think you'll get into a few if not all of the UCs.  Based on your math background, you might be able to do decently on the math GRE without studying, and I don't think it would be a waste to apply to Stanford.  The only other school I can think of in California that you might want to check out is USC.  It's in their business school, so it's not a well-known program (sort of like UCSD in that even statisticians aren't really aware of it), but they have some fantastic faculty members.