Iowa State vs. Florida State PhD Statistics

[shuggie]

Both of these programs have been in my consideration for a year so I'm happy to have them as options. Briefly, I have preliminary interests in functional data analysis and nonparametric regression. I am aiming for academic research positions upon completing my PhD (and likely a postdoc). Due to the crisis I've had limited contact with both departments, but significantly less with FSU.

Iowa State:

• I like the program/department a lot. The students I've spoken with are very positive about the department culture. Being a large program everything seems very refined.
• I have a friend from undergrad in their 2nd year who is very comparable to myself and doing well in the program (a nice comfort, but more of a mental prior)
• Research interests are less clear. They have people working in the areas I'm interested in, but I'm not familiar with their work, and I would be tempted to explore other areas.

Florida State:

• Almost no contact with the department. Communication has been slow amidst the crisis. I'm not holding this against the department, but I don't have a lot of info to go off.
• Very interested in the Shape Analysis group at FSU. Interdisciplinary work with the the math department is very enticing.
• Several faculty members conducting research that piques my interest (specifically Srivastava, Wu, and some new(ish) hires that could be strong/interesting co advisors)
• Don't have much placement data. Looks like many of Srivastava's students have gone on to research labs, and Sebastian Kurtek is at OSU.
• I did speak with one Alum from FSU who spoke highly of the program, but they entered with a MS and started research quickly. I only have a BS.
• I also happen to have friends in the math department at FSU.

I would like to know if one program has an edge over the other concerning placement in academia. I plan to directly email the faculty I'm interested in working with at FSU to gauge availability in a couple years.

I'm reasonably confident I would enjoy the research at FSU, and if I attend I would be choosing to do so mainly for research. However, with only a BS I am far more familiar with coursework than research and don't know if I really have the background to pick an area now. I think having a general topic in mind is beneficial, but my concern is: if I change my mind in two years I won't have as many options as I would at Iowa.