Statistics PhD admissions - Lost and confused, no idea where to apply

[OhioStateStudent]

Hello everyone. Thanks for taking time to look at my question.

I am graduating in the spring, and I am looking at Statistics programs. Specifically, I am very interested in applied work.

Right now I am so lost when it comes to determining where I should apply given my stats:

Undergrad: Ohio State University

Degree: Major - Economics BS, Minor - Mathematics, Honors Program

GPA: 3.58/4.00, Econ GPA 3.8, Math GPA, 3.3

GRE: 163V, 159Q, 5.0AW

Research Experience for a summer and a semester doing Economics research

Experience working as a university-hired Economics tutor

3 LORS: 1 stat professor, research professor, other pending but hopefully well-known Econometrics professor

Math Classes: Multivariable Calc, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Real analysis, Probability

Schools I'm looking at: Michigan State, Ohio State, University of Michigan, Iowa State, University of Iowa, UNC Chapel Hill, Virginia Tech, Northwestern (reach)

Do this schools seem to fit my range? Is there any school that I should add/delete?

Thank you

[hopenxx]

I feel you have strong background.I am also applying the statistics Ph.D program now. I feel you have better chance then me. Good luck!

Besides, since your undergraduate major is economics, do you consider applying statistics program in finance track?

[cyberwulf]

Thoughts:

- Your quant score and math GPA are on the low side; there may be some concern in admissions committees about your ability to handle more advanced mathematical coursework.

- The biggest 'reach' on your list is probably University of Michigan; Northwestern isn't a particularly renowned stats program, and may in fact be one of your better bets given the other places on your list.

- You might consider doing a Masters first, to demonstrate your mathematical/statistical capabilities. I think you would be a good bet for Masters admission at most places on your list.

- You might also think about looking into some Biostatistics departments. Biostat will have a more applied flavor than stat, and your background might play better there. Among Big 10 schools, Michigan and Minnesota have the top biostat departments. UNC is also good. You'd be a great bet for Masters admission at all of those schools, and likely borderline for PhD admission.

[ANDS!]

As CW said the reach on their is definitely Michigan, and I would also toss in UNC. The rest should be attainable; is there any reason you want to leave Ohio State? I should think you'd have a good shot there. Also is your research interest being tickled by Econometrics?

As for where you should apply, use USNews and Phds.org as a "rough" starting guide to get the "popular" opinion about rankings and then go from there. For what its worth I ended up at a school outside of the Top 20 despite getting acceptances within that range - the program was just a good fit (in regards to dept. and resources nearby - and the cash didn't hurt - ).

[OhioStateStudent]

Thank you guys so much for your input. It means a lot.

Unfortunately, I do not have much interest in biostats, and I don't have the biological background to do it.

Yes, Econometrics is tickling my interestes a lot. I love the class.

I still have some questions though:

1. Should I even bother applying to PhD programs at schools or should I just apply for Masters?

2. Other than UNC and Michigan, do you think I have a fair chance (do I fit the "usual" applicant profile for those schools) at the other schools I listed?

3. Can you think of any schools where I would fit the "usual" applicant profile?

Thank you so much.

[cyberwulf]

Unfortunately, I do not have much interest in biostats, and I don't have the biological background to do it.

Fair enough on not being interested, but I just wanted to point out for others reading this thread that no background or coursework in biological sciences is necessary to be a credible candidate in biostatistics.

[OhioStateStudent]

I see I see. I did not know that. I thought a fair amount of biology was needed before hand, at least to demonstrate interest.

Do you have any feedback for my previous questions?

[cyberwulf]

I see I see. I did not know that. I thought a fair amount of biology was needed before hand, at least to demonstrate interest.

Nope. The core skill in biostat is quantitative ability; we're still doing statistics, we just focus on working with data arising from biomedical research. Typically, a biostatistician learns about the applied problem they're dealing with "on the fly", in the same way a statistician would. Some interest in and curiosity about biological problems is important, but expertise in the applied area is not required.

1. Should I even bother applying to PhD programs at schools or should I just apply for Masters?

2. Other than UNC and Michigan, do you think I have a fair chance (do I fit the "usual" applicant profile for those schools) at the other schools I listed?

3. Can you think of any schools where I would fit the "usual" applicant profile?

1. Many programs will consider you for Masters admission if you don't make the PhD cut. So often the best strategy is to apply to the PhD and make it clear that you would also be prepared to consider a Masters position (departments vary in how they handle these situations; best to check with the places you're applying).

2. I don't have a good sense of how well you stack up against the applicants at the lower-ranked schools on your list. Perhaps someone else has some insight.

3. Most schools provide (or are willing to provide) information about the average GPA/GRE scores of the students in their program. I suggest you seek out that information, because it should provide a good guide to where you will be competitive.

[OhioStateStudent]

Thank you again for your help.

On your third point, I have one question.

None of the schools I have looked at provide this information on their website (personally I think it is very odd that statistics programs do not provide statistics on entering classes). Is it proper for me to request this information from the graduate admissions office of a certain school?

[cyberwulf]

None of the schools I have looked at provide this information on their website (personally I think it is very odd that statistics programs do not provide statistics on entering classes). Is it proper for me to request this information from the graduate admissions office of a certain school?

It's probably quicker to write to the administrator who handles admissions for the department.

[OhioStateStudent]

Got it.

Can you comment on Rutgers, UConn, and Illinois (urbana-champaign) and where they fit in according to my profile?

[OhioStateStudent]

Any ideas?

[cyberwulf]

Hard to say; lower-ranked places can be inconsistent because their applicant pool varies more from year to year.

[OhioStateStudent]

I understand.

Should I even be hitting places in the top 50 or are they probably out of my league for PhD admissions?

[cyberwulf]

I don't think it would be crazy to apply to a few schools in the 15-35 range, and a couple lower down. I thought your initial list was pretty decent.

[OhioStateStudent]

Thank you for your input.

I'm working on modifying my list, and I will repost it once I think it is finalized.

I'm really worried about my Analysis grade right now. Our class averages are abysmal, and the professor seems to not want to curve. I might end up with a C.

[ANDS!]

Seems like a valid list.

[superbean]

cyberwulf: Thanks for your response above regarding applying for a masters vs. applying for a PHD. I am applying to a couple of PHD programs but I was wondering, at what point should I let them know that I would be happy if they accepted me to their master's program. Would it be in my statement of purpose or some other communication to the department?

I know that a couple of schools that I am applying to are stretches for a PHD.