decision for stats programs

[wanthony86]

In at UCLA and SDSU. Waitlisted for Boston U.

Stats:

Major: Math & Economics (Joint)

Undergrad GPA: 3.60 @ a top 10 public school in California

GRE: 630V, 780Q

Tons of teaching experience, but absolutely no public health or research experience lol

Decent to strong letters of rec

More or less strong Statement of Purpose

Had a full ride scholarship as an undergrad

Accepted: UW (w/supp), Columbia, UCLA, SDSU

Rejected: None

Waitlisted: BU

Waiting: U Penn, Cal, Yale, Harvard, U of Chic., UC Davis, JHU, UConn

All MS/MA programs in Biostatistics.

[bruinbear]

In at UCLA and SDSU. Waitlisted for Boston U.

Stats:

Major: Math & Economics (Joint)

Undergrad GPA: 3.60 @ a top 10 public school in California

GRE: 630V, 780Q

Tons of teaching experience, but absolutely no public health or research experience lol

Decent to strong letters of rec

More or less strong Statement of Purpose

Had a full ride scholarship as an undergrad

Accepted: UW (w/supp), Columbia, UCLA, SDSU

Rejected: None

Waitlisted: BU

Waiting: U Penn, Cal, Yale, Harvard, U of Chic., UC Davis, JHU, UConn

All MS/MA programs in Biostatistics.

Thank you for the info!!

I'm major at Math/econ too with minor in stats at UCLA, but my major gpa is only 3.46 with 3.78 for minor... strong recommendations, and okay GRE scores. Hope I can get into any Stat Master Program!

And I am currently waiting for all five that I applied to, namely: UCLA, columbia, UCSD, cornell and Michigan.

[wanthony86]

Thank you for the info!!

I'm major at Math/econ too with minor in stats at UCLA, but my major gpa is only 3.46 with 3.78 for minor... strong recommendations, and okay GRE scores. Hope I can get into any Stat Master Program!

And I am currently waiting for all five that I applied to, namely: UCLA, columbia, UCSD, cornell and Michigan.

Nice. I wish you the best of luck, although I'd say you have a solid shot. What's your top choice? Have you checked your status on the UCLA graduate school application website? That's how I found out. Same with Columbia. Here's the link for UCLA:

http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/applicat.htm

Edited February 18, 2011 by wanthony86

[wanthony86]

Btw, just got into UConn. 3rd acceptance of the day!

[bruinbear]

Btw, just got into UConn. 3rd acceptance of the day!

Congratz dude!! I think you will get into all of those that you have applied to..

My preferences are

1) Columbia(cuz it's 1 year only, 8 classes only. + east coast, close enough to wall street)

2) UCLA(already know the surroundings, it's 2 yrs, in-state tuition and it is easier to get switch over to Phd)

2) Michigan (have better rank, and I really likes the program in there, but 2 yrs outstate tuition is kinda...)

4) UCSD (I think their MS in Stat is a preparation for phd candidates)

5) Cornell(MPS? Heard it somewhere that the program is useless, but 1 year only)

Btw, you said the results are available in your online application,

and let's just say for UCLA, did you see it somewhere says that you were admitted? or you have to click on "Message Center" to find out? Because for the Stats here at UCLA, glenda(student affair) told me that I won't be able to hear back until/after April 1st. And my guesses are that the date is probably different with bio-stat.

Anyways, thanks again!

Edited February 19, 2011 by bruinbear

[wangketong1989]

I heard from many people that they usually get Pitts' admission in May or even June. Waiting for their decision too!

anyone heard back from Pittsburgh yet? I saw one get accepted on the decisions board.

[wanthony86]

Congratz dude!! I think you will get into all of those that you have applied to..

My preferences are

1) Columbia(cuz it's 1 year only, 8 classes only. + east coast, close enough to wall street)

2) UCLA(already know the surroundings, it's 2 yrs, in-state tuition and it is easier to get switch over to Phd)

2) Michigan (have better rank, and I really likes the program in there, but 2 yrs outstate tuition is kinda...)

4) UCSD (I think their MS in Stat is a preparation for phd candidates)

5) Cornell(MPS? Heard it somewhere that the program is useless, but 1 year only)

Btw, you said the results are available in your online application,

and let's just say for UCLA, did you see it somewhere says that you were admitted? or you have to click on "Message Center" to find out? Because for the Stats here at UCLA, glenda(student affair) told me that I won't be able to hear back until/after April 1st. And my guesses are that the date is probably different with bio-stat.

Anyways, thanks again!

So when you click the link that I posted above, you'll see a "Decision Status" link under Step 3. Click that, input your information and it'll either say that your department hasn't come to a decision yet or you'll get a letter like I did. Once I found out about this, I couldn't help checking it at least five times a day!

[bruinbear]

So when you click the link that I posted above, you'll see a "Decision Status" link under Step 3. Click that, input your information and it'll either say that your department hasn't come to a decision yet or you'll get a letter like I did. Once I found out about this, I couldn't help checking it at least five times a day!

I just checked UCLA and Columbia, no decisions are made yet... :<

[wanthony86]

I just checked UCLA and Columbia, no decisions are made yet... :<

A decision will come soon enough, I'm sure. Btw, I was wondering if you could elaborate on UCLA's program in regard to switching into the phd program. You mentioned that it was easier there, so I was wondering how and why that was the case.

[TopDice]

My first admit came through last week - univ of south carolina, phd stats program ..BUT, the letter said they won't be able to offer me funding Is anyone familiar with SC's stats dept? Can I hope for funding once I go there in Aug, incase I decide to go? Is it advisable to start talking to them and may be professors there to try and negotiate i.e., market myself to see if they have any funding left?

thanks!

[mimique]

So I wanted to post here just to add another data point.

I currently work as a biostatistician but wanted to switch fields so I applied to a bunch of programs in an unrelated field, without having any formal experience in it (coursework or research). As a back-up (or rather, as a second option), I applied to several PhD programs in stats. I wouldn't call them back-ups because they are very competitive, but it was something I thought would work out easier than the programs in the non-related field because I have a degree in stats and have been working in the field.

Well, I got accepted by 3 programs in the field I wanted (2 of which very competitive and one with 3% acceptance rate this year), but rejected by the stats programs. I guess I was totally wrong thinking that it'd be easier for me to get into the stats programs.

My statistics:

- Statistics major, 3.9 GPA, 3.96 in major, coursework mostly consisted of graduate classes (that's how my department worked) including the typical two-course Master's sequence of Mathematical Statistics. Also took many more courses than minimum requirement

- GRE: 710V, 800Q, 4.5AW

- Full tuition four-year scholarship as an undegrad, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.

- Worked as a biostatistician in a research setting for 3.5 years, co-authorship in many publications, great recs from director and manager. Got the job despite only having a BS. Lots of programming experience with multiple softwares.

- Woman (I know it helps sometimes), foreign national (don't know if that helps/hurts)- but with US degree, experience, etc.

- I think my personal statement was pretty decent too.

- Lots of tutoring experience

I'm thinking I was able to differentiate myself enough in the other field (and be a 'non-traditional' student), but not for the stats programs!

Edited February 21, 2011 by mimique

[TopDice]

Congratulations on your admits! Which unrelated field have you applied to? I am surprised that you were rejected from the stats programs! My stats are not as stellar as yours (esp GPA and test scores). I have been working in a stats related field though with some heavy programming and I went to some top-tier schools both for undergrad and grad but I have no research papers to my credit. I am waiting on a few other schools and most certainly I will be able to go back to school only if I have funding (guess it ll hurt me a little to eat into my saving and 401k!)

So I wanted to post here just to add another data point.

I currently work as a biostatistician but wanted to switch fields so I applied to a bunch of programs in an unrelated field, without having any formal experience in it (coursework or research). As a back-up (or rather, as a second option), I applied to several PhD programs in stats. I wouldn't call them back-ups because they are very competitive, but it was something I thought would work out easier than the programs in the non-related field because I have a degree in stats and have been working in the field.

Well, I got accepted by 3 programs in the field I wanted (2 of which very competitive and one with 3% acceptance rate this year), but rejected by the stats programs. I guess I was totally wrong thinking that it'd be easier for me to get into the stats programs.

My statistics:

- Statistics major, 3.9 GPA, 3.96 in major, coursework mostly consisted of graduate classes (that's how my department worked) including the typical two-course Master's sequence of Mathematical Statistics. Also took many more courses than minimum requirement

- GRE: 710V, 800Q, 4.5AW

- Full tuition four-year scholarship as an undegrad, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.

- Worked as a biostatistician in a research setting for 3.5 years, co-authorship in many publications, great recs from director and manager. Got the job despite only having a BS. Lots of programming experience with multiple softwares.

- Woman (I know it helps sometimes), foreign national (don't know if that helps/hurts)- but with US degree, experience, etc.

- I think my personal statement was pretty decent too.

- Lots of tutoring experience

I'm thinking I was able to differentiate myself enough in the other field (and be a 'non-traditional' student), but not for the stats programs!

[mimique]

Congratulations on your admits! Which unrelated field have you applied to? I am surprised that you were rejected from the stats programs! My stats are not as stellar as yours (esp GPA and test scores). I have been working in a stats related field though with some heavy programming and I went to some top-tier schools both for undergrad and grad but I have no research papers to my credit. I am waiting on a few other schools and most certainly I will be able to go back to school only if I have funding (guess it ll hurt me a little to eat into my saving and 401k!)

Thanks! The field that I'm interested in is cognitive psychology/cognitive science/neuroscience. One thing I didn't do with the stats programs which could've made a difference is get in touch with specific professors so that they know I'm applying. The reason I did it for the psych/neuro programs is that in general it's a 'lab science' where people typically get admitted to work with a specific professor (and I didn't think it's that way with stats programs) and also because I cared more and the whole process is very time-consuming, as everyone on this website knows! As an absolute back-up, I applied to two MS programs in Stats so I'm curious to see what they say. Now, PhD programs are orders of magnitude more competitive than master's programs, IMO, so I'm not offended, but it'll be really embarrassing if I get rejected by the MS programs..

Good luck with your applications! Hope the funding situation works out! Stats is one of the few fields in which it's worth financing your own education, if you have to (but probably more so for a Master's!), because the returns once you graduate will make up for it. I think that's true of very few fields...

[biostat_prof]

So I wanted to post here just to add another data point.

I currently work as a biostatistician but wanted to switch fields so I applied to a bunch of programs in an unrelated field, without having any formal experience in it (coursework or research). As a back-up (or rather, as a second option), I applied to several PhD programs in stats. I wouldn't call them back-ups because they are very competitive, but it was something I thought would work out easier than the programs in the non-related field because I have a degree in stats and have been working in the field.

Well, I got accepted by 3 programs in the field I wanted (2 of which very competitive and one with 3% acceptance rate this year), but rejected by the stats programs. I guess I was totally wrong thinking that it'd be easier for me to get into the stats programs.

My statistics:

- Statistics major, 3.9 GPA, 3.96 in major, coursework mostly consisted of graduate classes (that's how my department worked) including the typical two-course Master's sequence of Mathematical Statistics. Also took many more courses than minimum requirement

- GRE: 710V, 800Q, 4.5AW

- Full tuition four-year scholarship as an undegrad, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.

- Worked as a biostatistician in a research setting for 3.5 years, co-authorship in many publications, great recs from director and manager. Got the job despite only having a BS. Lots of programming experience with multiple softwares.

- Woman (I know it helps sometimes), foreign national (don't know if that helps/hurts)- but with US degree, experience, etc.

- I think my personal statement was pretty decent too.

- Lots of tutoring experience

I'm thinking I was able to differentiate myself enough in the other field (and be a 'non-traditional' student), but not for the stats programs!

Yikes! For what it's worth, I can tell you right now that the fact that you are not a U.S. citizen was what killed you. My department is very highly ranked, and we have admitted a number of students with credentials far inferior to yours. But this year was absurdly competitive. We had a 50% increase in PhD applications compared to last year (which was already higher than normal) and very little funding, so admissions was a bloodbath. I think we only admitted 1-2 foreign students, since they are harder to fund for various reasons. If you were a U.S. citizen, you almost certainly would have been accepted somewhere. And with those stats, I'm still surprised that you didn't get at least one stat PhD program to accept you. Did you only apply to Stanford and Berkeley or something? Sheesh. It's probably too late now, but I'm tempted to try to convince you to apply to my department and come work for me. I would definitely love a student with those credentials.

The only other possible issue I can think of is your mathematical background. Usually we are more concerned with a person's grades in their advanced math courses than in their stat courses. If you haven't had all the mathematical prerequisites, that might have scared some schools away. Still, I would have thought that the rest of your application would have more than compensated for that. (And I would like to think that the requisite math courses would have been part of your degree if you were a stat major.) Sorry for the bad luck. I guess being accepted into your first-choice field is a decent consolation prize. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[mimique]

Yikes! For what it's worth, I can tell you right now that the fact that you are not a U.S. citizen was what killed you. My department is very highly ranked, and we have admitted a number of students with credentials far inferior to yours. But this year was absurdly competitive. We had a 50% increase in PhD applications compared to last year (which was already higher than normal) and very little funding, so admissions was a bloodbath. I think we only admitted 1-2 foreign students, since they are harder to fund for various reasons. If you were a U.S. citizen, you almost certainly would have been accepted somewhere. And with those stats, I'm still surprised that you didn't get at least one stat PhD program to accept you. Did you only apply to Stanford and Berkeley or something? Sheesh. It's probably too late now, but I'm tempted to try to convince you to apply to my department and come work for me. I would definitely love a student with those credentials.

The only other possible issue I can think of is your mathematical background. Usually we are more concerned with a person's grades in their advanced math courses than in their stat courses. If you haven't had all the mathematical prerequisites, that might have scared some schools away. Still, I would have thought that the rest of your application would have more than compensated for that. (And I would like to think that the requisite math courses would have been part of your degree if you were a stat major.) Sorry for the bad luck. I guess being accepted into your first-choice field is a decent consolation prize. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

biostat_prof, thanks for your input! I'm not complaining; got into 3 of the 5 psych/neuro programs I applied to, without ever having taken a psych class! To be fair, I only applied to and got rejected by 2 stats PhD programs (Berkeley and Johns Hopkins). With Berkeley, I didn't expect much because I didn't even originally apply to the stats program. I applied to neuro there on the recommendation of someone I wanted to work with, who thought my credentials were very strong and seemed interested in me. When it became clear they're not pursuing my application anymore, I got in touch with him and he said he still thought I was very strong, but probably the fact that I'm not a US citizen did me in, as funding in CA is very tight right now. And then he suggested that I transfer my application to stats, as he was working closely on what I was interested in with someone in the Stats dept. So, not too offended, since their program wasn't even my first choice (and I didn't get to resubmit a new SOP), and I know the UCB stats program is absolutely stellar. But I thought I was a 'perfect' fit for Hopkins Biostats- specific experience in biostatistics, even through a medical system they tend to collaborate with. Also in general they seemed to emphasize being an overall good communicator and having strong general research skills, which I think I do and I'm sure it got highlighed in the letters of recommendation (I may be a statistician, but I'm not "just" a number cruncher) and tried to convey in my SOP. Of course, I didn't *expect* I'll get in, because I know the process is super competitive and plenty of qualified candidates get rejected, but I was at least somewhat surprised about JHU's decision.

Re: funding. At least one of the other programs I got in will have a harder time funding me because I'm costing them much more (will never qualify for in-state tuition), but they will. I'm thinking the stats applicant pool consists of more foreign people than many other fields, so it becomes even more competitive.

Re: Math classes. As far as what programs list on the website, I have covered the minimum. Four semesters of calculus (actually, fourth one was more math induction, proofs, etc.), linear algebra, probability and three mathematical stats courses which I count more as math, since they're not applied stats classes.

All in all, things work out as they should. I tell all my friends who are applying to grad school: have faith in the process and trust that you'll end up at the place that's best for you (not only professionally, but personally as well).

Edited February 23, 2011 by mimique

[banjiu]

You really have a very strong background. If you really want to get into top stat phd programs, only applying for 2 or 3 schools is not a good idea nowadays. I think stat phd programs, like Berkeley, may have more requirement on math background. This may not be universally true, but personally I think it would be safer to take courses like real analysis and measure theory during undergrad. How many stat courses you have taken, on the other hand, actually does not add much points to get the admission into stat phd programs. Just as you said, you have taken no psych class and still managed to get in the psych programs. Rigorous stat phd training usually requires a lot of math work..... Anyway, maybe if you have tried Stanford, you probably have a good chance. I know they have sent out a lot more admissions to foreign students this year than last few years. Good luck!

biostat_prof, thanks for your input! I'm not complaining; got into 3 of the 5 psych/neuro programs I applied to, without ever having taken a psych class! To be fair, I only applied to and got rejected by 2 stats PhD programs (Berkeley and Johns Hopkins). With Berkeley, I didn't expect much because I didn't even originally apply to the stats program. I applied to neuro there on the recommendation of someone I wanted to work with, who thought my credentials were very strong and seemed interested in me. When it became clear they're not pursuing my application anymore, I got in touch with him and he said he still thought I was very strong, but probably the fact that I'm not a US citizen did me in, as funding in CA is very tight right now. And then he suggested that I transfer my application to stats, as he was working closely on what I was interested in with someone in the Stats dept. So, not too offended, since their program wasn't even my first choice (and I didn't get to resubmit a new SOP), and I know the UCB stats program is absolutely stellar. But I thought I was a 'perfect' fit for Hopkins Biostats- specific experience in biostatistics, even through a medical system they tend to collaborate with. Also in general they seemed to emphasize being an overall good communicator and having strong general research skills, which I think I do and I'm sure it got highlighed in the letters of recommendation (I may be a statistician, but I'm not "just" a number cruncher) and tried to convey in my SOP. Of course, I didn't *expect* I'll get in, because I know the process is super competitive and plenty of qualified candidates get rejected, but I was at least somewhat surprised about JHU's decision.

Re: funding. At least one of the other programs I got in will have a harder time funding me because I'm costing them much more (will never qualify for in-state tuition), but they will. I'm thinking the stats applicant pool consists of more foreign people than many other fields, so it becomes even more competitive.

Re: Math classes. As far as what programs list on the website, I have covered the minimum. Four semesters of calculus (actually, fourth one was more math induction, proofs, etc.), linear algebra, probability and three mathematical stats courses which I count more as math, since they're not applied stats classes.

All in all, things work out as they should. I tell all my friends who are applying to grad school: have faith in the process and trust that you'll end up at the place that's best for you (not only professionally, but personally as well).

[rutiana]

From the sounds of it, her university's the same as mine in that the 4th calculus course is really just a Real Analysis course.

[biostat_prof]

<br />biostat_prof, thanks for your input! I'm not complaining; got into 3 of the 5 psych/neuro programs I applied to, without ever having taken a psych class! To be fair, I only applied to and got rejected by 2 stats PhD programs (Berkeley and Johns Hopkins). With Berkeley, I didn't expect much because I didn't even originally apply to the stats program. I applied to neuro there on the recommendation of someone I wanted to work with, who thought my credentials were very strong and seemed interested in me. When it became clear they're not pursuing my application anymore, I got in touch with him and he said he still thought I was very strong, but probably the fact that I'm not a US citizen did me in, as funding in CA is very tight right now. And then he suggested that I transfer my application to stats, as he was working closely on what I was interested in with someone in the Stats dept. So, not too offended, since their program wasn't even my first choice (and I didn't get to resubmit a new SOP), and I know the UCB stats program is absolutely stellar. But I thought I was a 'perfect' fit for Hopkins Biostats- specific experience in biostatistics, even through a medical system they tend to collaborate with. Also in general they seemed to emphasize being an overall good communicator and having strong general research skills, which I think I do and I'm sure it got highlighed in the letters of recommendation (I may be a statistician, but I'm not &quot;just&quot; a number cruncher) and tried to convey in my SOP. Of course, I didn't *expect* I'll get in, because I know the process is super competitive and plenty of qualified candidates get rejected, but I was at least somewhat surprised about JHU's decision.<br /><br />Re: funding. At least one of the other programs I got in will have a harder time funding me because I'm costing them much more (will never qualify for in-state tuition), but they will. I'm thinking the stats applicant pool consists of more foreign people than many other fields, so it becomes even more competitive. <br /><br />Re: Math classes. As far as what programs list on the website, I have covered the minimum. Four semesters of calculus (actually, fourth one was more math induction, proofs, etc.), linear algebra, probability and three mathematical stats courses which I count more as math, since they're not applied stats classes.<br /><br />All in all, things work out as they should. <img src='http://forum.thegradcafe.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I tell all my friends who are applying to grad school: have faith in the process and trust that you'll end up at the place that's best for you (not only professionally, but personally as well).<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Yeah, not having taking analysis might have hurt you as well... (If the proof-based calculus class that you took didn't have a title like "analysis" or "advanced calculus," they might have assumed that you haven't had enough exposure to proofs and stuff like that. Most people we admit have had a year or more of analysis.) But I think your international status was what really did you in. As I said, I'm at a top-ranked biostat department and I know that we have admitted people with much less impressive credentials than that, but we only have funding for 1-2 international students this year most likely. Good luck in your neuroscience program; I'm glad things worked out for you.

[lhfields]

guys any word from Cornell stats?

[mimique]

Yeah, not having taking analysis might have hurt you as well... (If the proof-based calculus class that you took didn't have a title like "analysis" or "advanced calculus," they might have assumed that you haven't had enough exposure to proofs and stuff like that. Most people we admit have had a year or more of analysis.) But I think your international status was what really did you in. As I said, I'm at a top-ranked biostat department and I know that we have admitted people with much less impressive credentials than that, but we only have funding for 1-2 international students this year most likely. Good luck in your neuroscience program; I'm glad things worked out for you.

Thanks, biostat_prof!

The course title was 'advanced calculus'. Interestingly, it was *not* a requirement for my major (even the more mathematical track I picked), and I took it for my own interest.

Best of luck to everyone!

[wanthony86]

In at UPenn! It isn't ranked on US News...can anybody attest to the quality of this program? Thank you.

[TopDice]

guys..anyone heard from udavis, uga, tamu or ncsu yet? if accepted mind sharing your profile? i have a reject from ufl, uminn and accepted by south carolina. 780q/500v/3.5w, top tier undergrad and grad schools (not stats though), working for several yrs in quantitative fields and not much of stats related research exp.

[wanthony86]

guys..anyone heard from udavis, uga, tamu or ncsu yet? if accepted mind sharing your profile? i have a reject from ufl, uminn and accepted by south carolina. 780q/500v/3.5w, top tier undergrad and grad schools (not stats though), working for several yrs in quantitative fields and not much of stats related research exp.

In at Harvard! Waitlisted at UC Davis. Womp Womp.

[TopDice]

In at Harvard! Waitlisted at UC Davis. Womp Womp.

Congrats! did you receive an email from UC Davis indicating your status or did you have to contact them? I haven't heard from them yet except an email from (pete scully) during 3rd week of Feb saying that my application is complete and I should hear a decision sometime during winter term! Looks like they have already made offers for phd. Weird that they indicate my application is complete so late as I sent all my application docs well in advance!

[wanthony86]

I emailed to find out my status (My period key is not working)

This is what he had to say:

Thank you for your email. I was preparing to email you, as the admissions

committee have informed me that you are currently on the waitlist. I will

contact you once a final decision has been made.

Best wishes,