Being realistic about grad school

[Luke99]

Hello, I apologize if this is the wrong forum to post this on. If so then please direct me elsewhere

I'm a math and economics major entering my junior year at a state school ranked ~25th among US public schools. Some relevant classes that I've taken are calc 1-3, linear algebra, ODE, probability, some statistics, intro to proofs, grad-level econometrics, and Python programming. My GPA is 3.99 with the only non A being an A- in a history class freshman year. 

Currently, I'm working on my plan of study for the next two years. If all goes according to plan then I'll have PDE, numerical analysis 1-2, undergrad real analysis, grad analysis, measure theory, measure theoretical probability, math stats 1-2, stochastic processes, and machine learning done by the time I graduate. If I'm able to maintain a high GPA, do an REU next summer, and maybe do an independent study via my school's DRP program then where does that leave me for competitiveness for grad programs in applied math and statistics? I'm still figuring everything out but as of now, my interests are aligned with mathematical finance, statistics, and probability.

I know I wouldn't be able to get into a top PhD program but around what range of ranks should I aim for?

How beneficial would doing a masters at a top-ranked school be for my profile, I know Chicago and Stanford have some highly ranked statistics masters programs but they're expensive, and idk if I'd even be competitive for them to begin with

Edit: I'm a domestic white male if that matters 

Thank you

Edited May 22 by Luke99
Adding information

[BL4CKxP3NGU1N]

1 hour ago, Luke99 said:

I know I wouldn't be able to get into a top PhD program but around what range of ranks should I aim for?

I don't know anything about applied math PhD programs, so I'll just speak to statistics PhD programs.

I think it would be helpful for you to read through some of the applicant profiles over the last few years. If you can take all the classes you mentioned and get good grades in them, you'd be competitive for pretty much any stats PhD program.

Honestly, your current math background would already make you competitive at mid-tier stats PhD programs. You only really need a couple more advanced math classes (e.g., real analysis) and strong letters of recommendation to be competitive at higher ranked programs. The only math class I had that you don't have right now is a semester of undergrad real analysis, and I got accepted to a couple top 30 programs.

 

 

[Luke99]

8 minutes ago, BL4CKxP3NGU1N said:

I don't know anything about applied math PhD programs, so I'll just speak to statistics PhD programs.

I think it would be helpful for you to read through some of the applicant profiles over the last few years. If you can take all the classes you mentioned and get good grades in them, you'd be competitive for pretty much any stats PhD program.

Honestly, your current math background would already make you competitive at mid-tier stats PhD programs. You only really need a couple more advanced math classes (e.g., real analysis) and strong letters of recommendation to be competitive at higher ranked programs. The only math class I had that you don't have right now is a semester of undergrad real analysis, and I got accepted to a couple top 30 programs.

 

 

I'm signed up for undergrad real analysis next semester so I should be fine in that regard. I guess my main concern is my lack of research experience, it looks like almost everybody getting into good schools is applying with either publications or multiple REUs. 

Thanks for the input, hearing that you got into some top 30s is reassuring