Phd in Statistics Suggestions

[frequentist]

I do not know if it is early to post in this forum, but I thought I would get some suggestions before starting the process. 

 

Undergrad: Big State School ranked around 150

Major: Mathematics, with Minor in Computer Science

GPA: 4.0 (By the end of Junior Year)

Student Type: International Male

Undergraduate Courses:  Calculus Series, Into Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Proofs and Logic, Discrete Mathematics, Undergraduate Real Analysis Series, Intro to Programming, Object Oriented Programming, Data Structures, Data Science in Python (Mostly Sickit Learn packages implementation), Data Visualization in R, Database System. 

Undergrad/Grad Hybrid Courses: Mathematical Statistics I, Mathematical Statistics II, Elementary Number Theory, Analytic Number Theory, Abstract Algebra

I am planning on taking graduate level real analysis series (including  measure theory), advanced probability series (measure theoretic), Topology, Advanced Linear Algebra, Multiplicative Number Theory, and Algorithms in my senior year. 

 

GRE General: Will take this summer

Math GRE: Haven't decided yet

Research: I have worked in analytic number theory since last August, found a small new result last month. I improved the error term of an important formula (Peparing the work to submit for publication). I am currently working on probabilistic number theory, but do not know if I will get any mentionable result. I got a prestigious summer fellowship of Fields Institute for this summer. I was initially supposed work on probabilistic number theory at University of Toronto for this summer as a part of fellowship, but the program has moved online because of Covid-19. I do not know how effective this online research program would be, but I will work very hard to get the best out of the program. I was also accepted to present a poster at a conference this summer, but the conference got moved to next year due to Covid-19.

Letters of Recommendation: My primary advisor (number theorist; he wrote good letter that helped me land fellowship), hoping to get a letter from the professor who will become my research supervisor this summer; my computer science professor, and real analysis professor have written good letters for me in the past, so will ask for them as well depending on the program.

Programs Applying to: Statistics PhD

Interests: Bayesian Statistics?? (Haven't narrowed down the interest, but something that is more mathematically inclined). 

Considering to Apply to:  Need suggestions about what should I target.

 

Notes: What level of schools should I consider targeting to? Do I have a decent chance at top level schools to spend time preparing for subject GRE? I think I tick boxes for average to good level graduate programs, but I am not sure about top programs. As I am an international student and did not have any AP credits, I spent first two years taking 4 calculus classes, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, proofs and logic, which mostly covered what I already knew. So, I had to wait until my Junior year to take advanced mathematics classes. Also because we have a small department, I do not have options to take a lot of advanced courses. So, I neither have a strong mathematics nor statistics background. My undergraduate degree has mostly been a little of this and a little of that. But my advisor says that I have done a decent amount of work in number theory for an undergraduate student. 

As I still have about 7-8 months and a good summer research opportunity before applying, what should I do to make my application strong? And what level of schools should I have in my mind when I am preparing for my application? Do I have decent shot at schools like University of Michigan Ann Arbor or North Carolina Chapel Hill?

[Spaghettini Plot]

I think you'll be a strong applicant. Though you may not have a super well known undergrad, I think the GPA and research experience should make it clear you'll be able to handle a PhD program.  Though nothing is guaranteed, I certainly think it would be worth it for you to at least give top programs a shot and apply.  The math GRE is usually a more important metric for international students without any US degree, though I'm sure it would help your odds to get into a top program if you do well (80% + )

If you're into Bayesian Stats, you should definitely give Duke a shot, and Michigan is probably similarly hard to get into. 

Also there are some not currently ranked programs like UT Austin and UCSC that are quite Bayesian, and will probably be ranked next time those lists are updated. 

 

[frequentist]

18 minutes ago, Spaghettini Plot said:

I think you'll be a strong applicant. Though you may not have a super well known undergrad, I think the GPA and research experience should make it clear you'll be able to handle a PhD program.  Though nothing is guaranteed, I certainly think it would be worth it for you to at least give top programs a shot and apply.  The math GRE is usually a more important metric for international students without any US degree, though I'm sure it would help your odds to get into a top program if you do well (80% + )

If you're into Bayesian Stats, you should definitely give Duke a shot, and Michigan is probably similarly hard to get into. 

Also there are some not currently ranked programs like UT Austin and UCSC that are quite Bayesian, and will probably be ranked next time those lists are updated. 

 

Actually, I am doing my undergraduate in the States. But I see it cant go wrong with taking a math GRE and giving a shot.