Profile Evaluation MS Applied Statistics + School Recommendations

[AvocadoAvogadro]

Hi all, I’m getting really anxious as application season comes and new semester starts. I don’t have a very strong statistics undergraduate background so if someone could please evaluate my profile it would be much appreciated!

Type of student: International Asian Female

Undergraduate Institution: large public university (US news top 30)

Undergraduate Majors: CS + Psychology, minor in statistics

Current GPA: 3.99 

GRE: 170Q + 167V + 5.0AW

Relevant Courses: calc 3, intro probability, linear algebra, discrete math, psyc statistics, data structure, algorithm, bioinformatics, models of computation, all As. Taking intro ML, data analysis, and general linear models now. 

Letters: two pretty strong ones from professors I have done psyc research with, still figuring out where to get another one.

Research Experience: 1y experience in learning science doing programming + data visualization, 2 semesters doing data analysis in clinical psychology, 1y clinical psychology data entry/cleaning. 

Schools Applying to: UCLA master of applied statistics, UNC master of data science and analytics, George Washington, Rice. UNC is my top choice right now.

I’m not too sure about which schools to apply to yet. If someone can recommend schools, I’ll be very grateful. My ultimate career goal is to do social science research. I think applied statistics MS will be very helpful, but at the same time I feel like more theoretical programs will be beneficial if I want to do more mathematical research in social sciences. Please advise me!

Thanks!

Edited August 8, 2020 by AvocadoAvogadro

[bob loblaw]

Hey I'm applying to Stats PhD programs in the fall.  So consider my advice with a lot of skepticism (I'm still trying to figure out stuff). 

Profile

For masters, I think your profile is completely fine: I would think you'd get in most places.   

I would maybe consider taking more proof-based math courses in the future if you really want to do quantitative research.  My understanding that showing that you can handle the rigor of a real analysis or proof-based linear algebra courses would move you up a level.

Programs

If I were you, I would maybe focus less on data analystics/data scienc-y programs if your goal is to do social science research.  My impression that those are people who want to go straight into data science/tech.  

I think the MS at Duke would be awesome. It's a great combination of rigor & good applied classes  https://stat.duke.edu/ms/ms-focus-areas-tracks/socialscience-policy

Also would consider:

• "Our goal is to prepare students for PhD study in quantitative social science, and for professional positions at research institutions and government or nongovernment agencies. " https://mapss.uchicago.edu/areas-study/quantitative-methods-social-analysis
• https://gsas.columbia.edu/degree-programs/ma-programs/quantitative-methods-social-sciences
• https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/degree/ms-applied-statistics-social-science-research

 

Edited August 8, 2020 by bob loblaw

[AvocadoAvogadro]

1 hour ago, bob loblaw said:

If I were you, I would maybe focus less on data analystics/data scienc-y programs if your goal is to do social science research.  My impression that those are people who want to go straight into data science/tech.  

I think the MS at Duke would be awesome. It's a great combination of rigor & good applied classes  https://stat.duke.edu/ms/ms-focus-areas-tracks/socialscience-policy

Also would consider:

• "Our goal is to prepare students for PhD study in quantitative social science, and for professional positions at research institutions and government or nongovernment agencies. " https://mapss.uchicago.edu/areas-study/quantitative-methods-social-analysis
• https://gsas.columbia.edu/degree-programs/ma-programs/quantitative-methods-social-sciences
• https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/degree/ms-applied-statistics-social-science-research

 

Thanks for the recommendations! I just looked into the programs and I think I would add them to my list.

Hope application is going well for you!