Bad Analysis Grade (MS Applications)

[jamesw1234]

Hi - I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me some advice on MS Statistics applications. I am really interested in pursuing a PhD in Statistics and for many reasons I have decided that I would be best to do an MS first.

The main thing I am worried about in my application is my C+ in Honors Real Analysis. I took the Honors version of the class as I wanted to challenge myself, but as we can see this resulted in a low grade.

A bit of context - I took this in my first semester on a year abroad in the US where I was adjusting to a new country and environment. I also took 2 other 400-level math courses the same semester as well as a STAT class and therefore had quite a high workload. C+ in Real Analysis was my only bad grade. I got an A+ in Abstract Algebra and an A in Complex Analysis so I am hoping the admissions committee would still see that I am competent in upper level math? The year before, I also took a course introducing real analysis at my home institution where I achieved an A (The course does not have a trivial name, however, so it is not obvious from my transcript).

With all this info (New environment, honors track class, high performance in other courses, high performance in real analysis at home institution), I am wondering if it is worth explaining the grade in my application or if it is not necessary? Do you think I can still get into an MS program (e.g. Ohio State) with this result?

Thanks for your help!

[bayessays]

I don't think it's worth explaining for an MS application since they aren't going to be as concerned about analysis, and your explanation can basically be inferred through your transcript anyways.

As for the PhD, it's not ideal but I don't think will be a huge deal for most people.  I think you've done a good job of thinking through what people's thought processes will be -- the biggest thing you have to realize in admissions is that it's just random people with their own opinions making a decision.  Are there going to be certain types of people who take the "do well in real analysis" very literally and will look negatively upon your application?  Yes, there are probably some people in the world like that.  But I think the overwhelming majority will see that it's an anomaly.  If you're concerned, just take the hardest possible classes in your MS (eg, the PhD theory sequences if possible) and that will help ease any concern.  I don't think it's a big deal personally, but the only thing you can really do from now on is try to do more good things to make future PhD comittees confident it's an anomaly.