Profile Eval. and School Advice for Stat phd & masters

[sigmafinite]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and reading some of the applicant profile threads has been very helpful. I'm a rising senior thinking of applying to stat programs for graduate school and I'm looking for some advice regarding which schools I am competitive for, for both masters or phd-- I'm primarily interested in phd, but I'd like to retain the option of completing a masters in stat or DS and working in industry as well.

Type of Student: Domestic

Undergrad Institution: US News top 50, large public school

Majors: Mathematics, Statistics (separate degrees)

Minor: Physics

GPA: 4.0

GRE/Math subject GRE: Have not yet taken either, plan to take both

Research Experience: 

1 semester research in mathematical analysis, ended with a paper but no publication

1 REU

Currently doing research in theoretical data science/ml (I'm being vague on purpose)

Upper Level Courses: 

Probability, Algebra 1 and 2, Analysis, Topology, Complex analysis, Advanced linear algebra, Number theory, Math stat 1 and 2, Statistical learning, Stochastics, Applied multivariate, Nonparametric, Classical mech, Electrodynamics, Astro, Quantum mech, Graduate real analysis 1 and 2 (incl. measure theory), Graduate algebra 1 and 2, Grad probability 1 and 2,  grad ML, and 2 independent studies on representation theory and functional analysis

Disclaimer: I'm including courses I've taken as well as some courses I plan to take next year. I'm also only including classes "300 level" or above. All grades are A.

Other:

2 semesters as a TA for a Numerical Methods course

A few awards/scholarships from my school that I don't want to be specific about

Notes: My interest in statistics is recent. All stat courses are/will be within last 2 years. Also my first year I was an unrelated major, where I didn't really take any courses for my majors (only linear algebra)-- I will explain this in my personal statements. LoRs should be strong, professors know me well and one is fairly well known.

I have a lot of interests- statistical learning theory, image processing, clustering, astrostatistics are a few.

 

If anyone could give their opinion on schools I am competitive for, in terms of PhD programs as well as masters programs (stat or DS), that would be greatly appreciated! I'll take any information on biostat programs as well, though it's not my current aspiration. Thanks for your help!

 

 

 

[bayessays]

You should apply anywhere you want, I'm sure you'll get into some top ten PhD programs. 

[DanielWarlock]

Your course list is heavenly. You should get into most top programs barring possibly Stanford.

[StatsG0d]

13 hours ago, bayessays said:

You should apply anywhere you want, I'm sure you'll get into some top ten PhD programs. 

I agree. I wouldn't bother with the math subject test unless you want to go to a program that requires it (which I think is only Stanford, but a few other programs like Washington Stats, Berkeley, and Chicago recommend it). Your profile is already strong enough for a top-10 stats / top-5 biostats as-is. I'd bet you could get into a top-5 stats or top-3 biostats.

[sigmafinite]

I wanted to give a belated thank you to those who responded to this earlier, and also ask a question.

I just took the general GRE a few days ago and scored 168Q 159V (writing pending but I think I did well).

I'm wondering if I should:

- Keep this score and submit everywhere I apply

- Keep this score, but do not submit at every school that is waiving it this year

- Retake in pursuit of a higher score

If I need to, I'm confident that I can get a higher score (took it cold/without any studying)

Thank you for your guidance 

[bayessays]

I would definitely not retake it and would heavily lean towards sending it everywhere.  168 is a very good score.

 

[sigmafinite]

@bayessaysthank you again for your help, I don't mean to bother you but I'm more concerned with the verbal score-- is 159 low by the standard of top schools (for a domestic student) and will it have any impact on admissions?

[bayessays]

Just now, sigmafinite said:

@bayessaysthank you again for your help, I don't mean to bother you but I'm more concerned with the verbal score-- is 159 low by the standard of top schools (for a domestic student) and will it have any impact on admissions?

Nope, a 159 will be fine.

[sigmafinite]

@bayessays Okay great, thank you so much.

[StatsG0d]

On 10/3/2020 at 2:31 PM, bayessays said:

I would definitely not retake it and would heavily lean towards sending it everywhere.  168 is a very good score.

 

Agree. 168 won't raise any doubts at all.