Profile Evaluation: Am I Being Realistic?

[thatsHimOfficer]

Hi everyone, I'd really appreciate some feedback for my chances of success.  Specifically, am I overshooting with the school's I'm applying to?

 

Undergrad Institution: T100 USNR School
Major(s): Information Systems
GPA: 3.7

Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE General Test:
I haven't taken the GRE yet but I scored a 710 (Q48, V40) on the GMAT.  ETS says that this should be about a Q166 and V164 according to their score comparison tool.

Grad Institution: T10 USNR School

Concentration: Business Analytics
GPA: 3.8
 

Research Experience: None relevant
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Academic fellowship program during undergrad, merit scholarship for grad

Math/Statistics Grades:  A's in math and statistics courses

Applying to Where: 
Columbia - MS Data Science

Upenn - MSE Data Science

Harvard- MS Data Science

UChicago - MACSS

Stanford- MS Statistics, Data Science Track

 

Edited May 22, 2020 by thatsHimOfficer

[DanielWarlock]

I don't understand it. Are you applying for a second master after the first one? 

[bayessays]

I can't offer a lot of advice on master's programs, but if you already have a graduate degree in analytics, why spend all that money on a second master's?

[DanielWarlock]

I think OP wants to move into "data science" which is hot now. But either way, I don't think Stanford will admit given there are only 8 admits GLOBALLY. I don't think your background is good for other programs either, at least not typical. UChicago - MACSS may be your best bet yet. If you did BA, then applying to an actual job (e.g. in a bank) should make more sense. 

[bayessays]

If you want to do data science, I would recommend leveraging your current degree into an analytics role and self studying some Python on the side.

[thatsHimOfficer]

Thanks for the feedback guys!  As for why I'm going for another MS, my end goal is to get into a PhD program.  My previous MS was a very professionally oriented degree and did not offer any research component.  My hope is that with a second MS I will be able to get some research experience and move directly into a PhD.  I will also be applying to  PhD programs this coming fall but am not very confident about my chances due to my lack of research experience.  

22 minutes ago, DanielWarlock said:

I think OP wants to move into "data science" which is hot now. But either way, I don't think Stanford will admit given there are only 8 admits GLOBALLY. I don't think your background is good for other programs either, at least not typical. UChicago - MACSS may be your best bet yet. If you did BA, then applying to an actual job (e.g. in a bank) should make more sense. 

Interesting, I was under the assumption that the Chicago MACSS program would be among the most difficult to get into, and that the Upenn and Columbia programs were among the less selective.  I do agree that the MACSS program is what I should be aiming for though, considering the PhD placements from that program.  

Edited May 22, 2020 by thatsHimOfficer

[DanielWarlock]

Just now, thatsHimOfficer said:

Thanks for the feedback guys!  As for why I'm going for another MS, my end goal is to get into a PhD program.  My previous MS was a very professionally oriented degree and did not offer any research component.  My hope is that with a second MS I will be able to get some research experience and move directly into a PhD.  I will also be applying to  PhD programs this coming fall but am not very confident about my chances due to my lack of research experience.  

Interesting, I was under the assumption that the Chicago MACSS program would be among the most difficult to get into, and that the Upenn and Columbia programs were among the less selective.  I do agree that the MACSS program is what I should be aiming for though, considering the PhD placement from that program.  

Most data science programs are also professionally oriented. But there is lots of flexibility in the Harvard program, which I went. I successfully got into several good PhD programs this year. I would recommend the Harvard program if money and time is not a problem for you. But it is scary, really. You will be basically taking next 7-8 years of your life in order to do a PhD and you have already had a master--10 years in total! Are you married?

[thatsHimOfficer]

Just now, DanielWarlock said:

Most data science programs are also professionally oriented. But there is lots of flexibility in the Harvard program, which I went. I successfully got into several good PhD programs this year. I would recommend the Harvard program if money and time is not a problem for you. But it is scary, really. You will be basically taking next 7-8 years of your life in order to do a PhD and you have already had a master--10 years in total! Are you married?

I am well aware of the time commitment that a PhD requires and do not expect it to be an issue.  Finances are not a concern either due to the fact that I was able to receive substantial scholarships during my undergrad+grad programs.  Great to hear that you're enjoying the Harvard program, would you mind chancing me for that program?

[bayessays]

What subject do you want to get a PhD in? These are professional degrees so they don't clearly lead to a PhD in any subject. If you plan to get a PhD in statistics, you should just take the required math classes and apply.

[DanielWarlock]

1 hour ago, thatsHimOfficer said:

I am well aware of the time commitment that a PhD requires and do not expect it to be an issue.  Finances are not a concern either due to the fact that I was able to receive substantial scholarships during my undergrad+grad programs.  Great to hear that you're enjoying the Harvard program, would you mind chancing me for that program?

They like to admit people with interesting background. I myself specialized in Monte Carlo algorithm and they thought I would be an interesting addition to the cohort. There are people who did astronomy, fashion design, environment protection, Italian language and all sorts of things that can apply data science techniques in novel ways. I thought you have good chance given your background is kind of unique although it is not guaranteed--you should make case of how you would apply stuff such as neural network or other ML things to your specialty (i.e. BA).

Graduates from my cohort is highly successful which actually exceeds my expectation-- most of them went to Facebook, Google, Apple, Uber or top finance firms such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Mckinsey, Bridgewater etc., and several including myself remained at Harvard for PhD in CS or stats. I also got offers from Berkeley Duke etc. Now that I'm graduating, the outcome (both my own and my classmates) indeed exceeds my original expectation of what a master degree can achieve. Two years before I worked as an IT-type of guy in an unknown company maintaining spread sheet and emails etc. and never thought I would have progressed this far. This master degree really paid off (meanwhile it also almost bankrupts my family financially and put me in a hard spot for the future 5 years so you need to think twice if you are married). In the case where you have money, you should apply and do a master here. 

Edited May 22, 2020 by DanielWarlock

[StatsG0d]

9 hours ago, bayessays said:

What subject do you want to get a PhD in? These are professional degrees so they don't clearly lead to a PhD in any subject. If you plan to get a PhD in statistics, you should just take the required math classes and apply.

I second this. I don't think any of these programs will help you get into a PhD in any field, including data science. Moreover, I believe there's really only one "PhD in Data Science" degree, which is at NYU. Their course requirements, are vague, but this is from their admissions requriements:

The Committee welcomes applications from candidates with relevant undergraduate/master’s degrees and candidates with work or research experience in data science. Relevant degrees include mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, and other scientific disciplines that develop skills in drawing inferences or making predictions using data. Coursework or equivalent experience in calculus, probability,
statistics and programming are required.

 If you're interested in statistics / computer science, you will be much better off taking the courses required for admission for those programs. For the former, the minimum is Calc I-III, Linear Algebra, and Real Analysis I. It's getting more competitive, and many successful applicants have gone further (Real Analysis II, Abstract Algebra, Complex Analysis).