Statistics/Data Science PhD Profile Evaluation (Low(er) GPA, Lots of Research)

[mediumicrophone]

Hi!

I'm applying to Statistics and Data Science PhD programs, and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what range of schools I should be looking at. My college grade deflates a ton and is well-known for its tough workload, so my GPA is definitely on the lower end. 

Undergrad Institution: Top Liberal Arts College
Majors: Statistics and Mathematics
GPA: 3.7/4.0

Type of Student: Female (Domestic)

GRE General Test: n/a - taking in a week
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: n/a

 

Programs Applying: Statistics/Data Science PhD (interested in ML applications of statistics, but definitely don't want to do biostat) 

 

Research Experience:  

- Published paper in applied math area (REU)

- Published paper machine learning area (REU)

- Paper in preparation for publication

- Working on undergraduate thesis

- Lab work with statistics applications
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

- Prestigious undergraduate award in statistics

- Statistics honor society

- Best poster awards from conferences

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

- Started a statistic-based club

- TA-ing for 3 years

- Miscellaneous projects with professors

Letters of Recommendation:

I'm expecting three very strong letters, one from the professor advising my thesis/worked on many projects with her, another from a well-connected professor at my college, and another from a research supervisor from a summer REU

Coding Skills: 

Python, R, Java

Relevant Classes, Grades:  

Undergraduate Classes:

Mathematics - Calc II (A-), Calc III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Advanced Linear Algebra (A), Probability (B+), Complex Analysis (B+), Real Analysis (A), Real Analysis II (A-), Advanced Algebra (A-), Probability Theory grad level (currently taking)

Statistics - Statistics II (B+), Data Science (A-), Applied Topics in Statistics (A), Theoretical Statistics (A-), Advanced Statistical Analysis (currently taking)
Other Relevant Courses: Computer Science I (A), Computer Science II (C+) -- (wondering if I should explain this grade on my app? Basically, I submitted a previous version of a project that didn't compile and the professor wouldn't accept the correct version later)

 

Additional comments/concerns:

1. I think my biggest weakness in my app are my grades. My math/stats courses are relatively strong, but that one cs grade is definitely not ideal.

 

2. Harvard Stats PhD and UW Stats PhD are my top choices now, along with MIT Operations Research PhD. CMU, Columbia, NYU are also on my list, and I was planning on my safeties being WPI, U Pittsburgh, BU. 

 

I'd appreciate any feedback on my schools or anything else!

Thanks for reading (if you made it this far)!

Edited November 12, 2020 by astatbo

[nęm0]

You stats look really good but there is more to an application than that. If you are applying this cycle, I would focus really on fit. if you are not, I would explore a bit more with your research. Biostat programs are well funded and some program might not require you to take biology classes, you would just handle the data.

 

[bayessays]

UW and Harvard will be hard to crack but are fine as reach schools. I'd apply to more schools in the 10-30 range on US News