Fall 2020 Evaluation

[bootstrap]

Looking at PhD programs for Statistics for Fall 2020.  Looking to get a better idea of rankings and the merit of it all.

Undergrad Institution: Larger State School, known for STEM not much else.

Undergrad Major: Math

Grad Institution: Other Larger State School, USNews ranked for mathematics/applied mathematics PhD, but on the lower end.  Seems to be known for analysis?

Grad Major: Applied Math (Masters)

GPA(Undergrad): 3.6

GPA(Masters): 3.9

Type of Student: Domestic

Relevant Courses(Undergrad): 
Calculus 1-3, Abstract I, Advanced Calc I  (A-)

Abstract II, Advanced Calc II, Topology, Comp Sci courses (A)

Several generic statistics/actuarial science/finance courses.  My major GPA is likely higher than my cumulative, any sub-A grades were not in math coursework.

Relevant Courses(Masters):

Math Stats I, Math Stats II, Probability II, Sequential Analysis (A) * These were the seemingly typical Casella-Berger/measure-theoretic probability courses

Probability I (B) *  Measure theory started rough, finished well at the end though

Some other generic applied math, statistics, and CS courses.  All focused on modeling. (A)

GRE General(Unofficial): 160 Q, 160 V,  ? AW 

I took the General GRE on a last-minute whim to ensure I had time for two chances before December.  Given I have time to retake I would expect to be able to beat this with some actual studying and now being aware of the testing process.

GRE Math Subject: Taken in October.  Unsure of score, but I am hesitant to rely on it in any way at all.  I assume 70s are the only worthwhile scores to send?

Programs Applying: Statistics PhD

Research Experience: 

- Thesis related to statistics and machine learning.  Did presentations in statistics/probability seminars locally.  Most of this was just following papers over the last few years from bigger names at the top 10 schools.

Teaching Experience: Is this important?  I was hired as adjunct faculty during my 2-yr masters stint so there's a good bit here.

Coding Experience: Proficient in R, Python.  A few other less-relevant things.

Letters of Recommendation:  One from advisor, two from professors I took class with.  One letter is from the Probability/Analysis professor.

Research Interests: Regression, supervised learning, etc buzzwords

PhD Programs I am applying to:

USNews 20s - 50s?  Specifically ignoring the biostats programs and re-ranking them in order without those programs filling the list.

Is it even worth applying?  I feel like I have a very subpar application comparatively as I look around.  I don't really want to go to the lower ranked schools whose stats are just a repeat of Casella Berger and start a dissertation, as I was hoping to do a program that offers some more diversity and be able to do something more in the topics of interest.

My Advisor recommends sending apps to a few top 20 schools and mentioned sending custom letters, but I don't think there's much merit there.  I feel questionable in standing when applying to the 30's, let alone above that.

Assuming I come back with some 165 general GRE scores does anything really change, or is that really just the bare-minimum to be bothering in the first place?  I assume if I want to be competitive I have to come back with a strong Subject GRE?

 

Edited October 30, 2019 by bootstrap

[ENE1]

Hi bootstrap,

My general impression is that you're selling yourself a bit short. You've got a good GPA in your Masters degree and have taken some relevant courses. You've got some research experience and (hopefully) will have a good GRE score. Your letter writers sound appropriate and will hopefully give you strong recommendations. So it seems like you've ticked most of the boxes of a strong application.

I don't know much on this, but if you're interested in going to a top 20 school, then you've got nothing to lose in applying (but the app fee).