Profile Evaluation for MS in Statistics

[Allyass]

Hi everyone, I would be grateful if I could get some feedback on my profile for graduate schools along with anything I can improve in the upcoming months.

My Stats:

• GPA: 3.77/4.00 (Dual degree in Aerospace Engineering and Statistics)

  • Major GPA:

    • Statistics: 3.78/4.00

      • Aerospace: 3.67/4.00

• School: UIUC

• GRE: Not given yet; Expecting a strong quant score and average verbal (around 325 altogether).

• Research Experience (idk if relevant):

  • 1 year research in an optical engineering lab constructing polymers and collecting data on photonic bandgaps

  • ~5-6 months research in an automation and digital manufacturing lab doing data collection and tensile stress tests

• Work Experience:

  • 3 month internship doing robotics testing and assembly at a small startup

  • Current 3 month internship doing research and development for an Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) Tool with a large insurance company

• Course Assistantships:

  • 1 year teaching assistant for an intro statistics course

  • 1 year teaching assistant for an intro to data science course

• LOR:

  • 1 supervisor from insurance internship that I worked very closely with (speaks to technical acumen)

  • 1 professor who I TA'd for and worked very closely with (speaks to my communication skills)

  • 1 professor that is my advisor who I don't know as well (shows my progression throughout college)

• Courses:

  • Calculus 3 (A-), Linear Algebra (B), Differential Equations (A+), Statistical Analysis (A), Statistics and Probability 1 (A-), Statistics and Probability 2 (A), Methods of Applied Statistics (A-), Basics of Statistical Learning (A), Statistical Data Management (A), Advanced Data Analysis (A+)

I was wondering, again, what I can do to make myself a better candidate for masters in statistics programs. I am primarily looking at professional masters and not so much thesis-based. Additionally, I am not so focused on obtaining funding as I want to get the best education possible for my masters. Below is the list of schools I am considering:

My List:

1. UIUC
2. UW Madison
3. U of Washington
4. Duke
5. Rutgers
6. UMich
7. UPenn
8. CMU
9. Stanford

I know that many of the schools are reaches on my list; however, I want to try and push myself. Also, I have a lot of engineering experience, especially the research experience, but I don't know how I can play that as a strength when applying to statistics masters. Any other school recommendations would be ideal. My dream goal is to get into a statistical computing or "data science"-esque type of job upon graduation. Let me know what you all think and thanks for sitting through my long post!

Edited July 12, 2020 by Allyass

[bayessays]

I imagine you'll get into quite a few of those places as your grades are strong from a good school, and MS programs are not extremely competitive.  The one thing that sticks out to me is your choice of recommendation letters.  It's ok to have 1 letter be from a boss if you need, but I don't think it makes any sense to have a letter from an advisor who doesn't know you well.  Your letter from the prof who you TA'ed/worked with sounds good - do you have other people who could write you good letters that you worked on the research projects with?

[Allyass]

Hi, thanks for the reply! I can try to reach out to the grad students I did research with; however, I haven't been in touch with them since my sophomore year. In terms of the advisor rec letter, he does know me a decent amount since I have had to meet with him every semester to discuss progress and courses. He actually offered to write me a letter the last time I met with him lol I just think that in comparison to the other rec letters, it isn't as strong. I could potentially ask the other professor I TA'ed for, but I feel like it may be a bit redundant to have 2 TA rec letters. 

Edited July 12, 2020 by Allyass

[bayessays]

I just noticed your list of courses - I'm guessing as an engineer you've had to take multivariable calculus and linear algebra?  These are going to be required pre-requisites for any program, so your grades in those classes are most important.

As for the letters, your current plan is probably fine.  Don't get letters from grad students.

[Allyass]

Okay that sounds good! I just edited the courses to reflect multi, linear algebra and differential equations. I didn't do so hot in linear algebra, so I was wondering how much that would hurt my application.