Applying for Statistics Ph.D

[JCsquared]

Hi,

I am an international student applying for Statistics PhD fall 2013.

Undergraduate: California State (BA Applied Math; BA Economics) 3.71/4.0

Graduate: same as undergraduate (mathematical modeling) 4.0/4.0

GRE: Q 800 / V 700

I participated in one summer REU (I did not get funded by NSF due to citizenship issue, but the paper got published last year.) Also, I've been working as a graduate student/RA on my advisor's grant for almost two years, and my graduate thesis is on time series analysis. I'm currently teaching a 3-unit math class as a graduate lecturer.

I'm interested in time series and so far my list is: UW, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, CSU Fort Collins, and Duke.

Since I am an international applicant, I'm worried that my list is top-heavy. Can you please suggest any other schools for me? Thank you so much!

[JCsquared]

I know it is a little bit too late during the season, but could anyone give me some advice? Thanks a lot.

[Shostakovich]

Hi JC,

I'm no expert on admissions, but having applied myself as well as having experience in the California school system, I could tell you that your admissions will likely depend on the strength of your undergrad (since your GPA/GRE/recs look very good). I think depending on whether your "California State" school refers to a low-tier Cal State or high-tier UC, your chances can go from very difficult to very likely at the schools that you've mentioned. One other thing that might come into play is that if you're an international student (not citizen or PR) it's substantially harder to get admitted/receive funding.

As for schools to add to the list, seems like you like California. Maybe add UC Santa Barbara and Riverside? I heard somewhere Riverside's Math/Stats program is comparable to UCSC's.

Good luck!

Edited December 11, 2012 by Shostakovich

[cyberwulf]

To my mind, the bigger problem with your list is that it's 'middle-light', i.e. you don't seem to have a lot of 'solid' schools where you have a decent shot of getting in. It looks like you're West Coast focused, which does narrow the scope a bit, but if you're willing to consider Duke you might also add places like NC State, UNC, and Florida.

[JCsquared]

Thank you both for replying!

I think depending on whether your "California State" school refers to a low-tier Cal State or high-tier UC, your chances can go from very difficult to very likely at the schools that you've mentioned. One other thing that might come into play is that if you're an international student (not citizen or PR) it's substantially harder to get admitted/receive funding.

I'm at a low-tier Cal State. I agree that it's hard to get admitted as an international student. I applied two years ago, but I didn't get in anywhere for a PhD. Thank you and I will look into UCSB and UCR.

To my mind, the bigger problem with your list is that it's 'middle-light', i.e. you don't seem to have a lot of 'solid' schools where you have a decent shot of getting in. It looks like you're West Coast focused, which does narrow the scope a bit, but if you're willing to consider Duke you might also add places like NC State, UNC, and Florida.

Thank you cyberwulf! I know you are a Biostats person. Are there any biostats programs that may suitable for me? I do prefer to stay on the West Coast, however, getting in a phd program is more important at this point.