Statistics PhD profile evaluation

[Lelouch Lamperouge]

Hi, guys,

 

I am an international student in U.S. college. I am now at senior standing but actually it is my 3rd year in college (because I have transferred a lot credits from advanced placement).

 

I have applied for several Statistics PhD programs this time, without safe schools. This is because I may apply again next year if I do not get any offers this time. Honestly speaking, I am a bit nervous these day because I am still expecting to get some offers. But so far I have not heard any good or bad news for my application. I just want some people here to give me some evaluation, or to provide me with some advice if I need to apply again next year.

 

My School: Top 5 Public Unviersity with high ranking in Stats

 

Major and GPA: Honors Statistics (3.95) , Financial Mathematics (3.95)

 

Cumulative GPA: 3.92

 

Courses taken and taking: CAL III (A+), Diff. Equations(A+), Linear Algebra (A), Advanced Calculus (A-),Math of Finance (A-), Elementary Programming Course for C++ (A+), Intro to Theo. Stats (A+), Data Mining (A),  Applied Stats [graduate] (A), Statistical Computing (A+), Intro to Econometrics [under Econ department] (A+), Probability [graduate] (A), Independent Research in Stats (A), Honors Thesis (A), Discrete Stochastic process (taking), Numerical Analysis (taking).

 

GRE: 160(V) + 169(Q) +3.5(W) [ my writing is not good ]

 

I have not taken GRE subject Math; I think it is a weak point.

 

Recommendation Letters: Three all from Stats Professors (1 from full professor, 1 from an associate prof, 1 from an excellent assistant prof). I was told by one of the professors (the full professor) that he wrote me a very strong letter. I guess other two are also good.

 

Research: have been doing a research work for my Honors Thesis, under a full professor's supervision, but with no significant result. Good at using R.

 

Programs Applied (All PhD) :  Stanford, UCB, Harvard, U of Washington, U of Chicago, CMU, Duke, U of Michigan, U of Penn Wharton, Cornell, Columbia, Yale.

 

I know without GRE Sub Math Stanford may even not evaluate my application, but just for a try.

I have not heard any good or bad news from any of the programs so far. I know there are several people already got offers from UW, CMu and Cornell. Especially UW, it has sent more than 10 offers, so I guess I should not be optimistic about my application for this school. There are many many talent people over the world, so I do not know my competitiveness at this stage.

 

How do you think my chance of being admitted by any one of the programs applied?

 

 

If I stay one more year in undergraduate study, I plan to take a PhD course Linear Models in Statistics and a more advanced programming course. Since I may prefer statistical computing part to very theoretical statistics, I guess I should be equipped with more programming skills. I will also take GRE sub Math and may re-take GRE general test again to improve the Verbal and Writing parts.

Do you have any good suggestions for me?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

[cyberwulf]

Your profile is very strong. While it's true that the bar for admission is higher for international than domestic students, I would be absolutely floored if you didn't get offers from several, if not most, of the places you applied.

[sisyphus1]

For what it's worth, we've applied to almost the same programs (I did CMU, UCB, Yale, Duke, Wharton for Stats, and a few Biostats programs) but your profile is stronger than mine--you have more math classes, better recs, and research experience. But, I would say that given the results page, you are most likely out of running for CMU, UW Seattle, and Duke (Duke sent out a bunch of interviews earlier in the month). I haven't heard back from CMU/Duke so I guess I am out of the running too.

 

Keep your chin up and best of luck!

[Lelouch Lamperouge]

Your profile is very strong. While it's true that the bar for admission is higher for international than domestic students, I would be absolutely floored if you didn't get offers from several, if not most, of the places you applied.

 

cyberwulf,

 

thank you very much! I wish I could finally get offer from at least one of them.

[Lelouch Lamperouge]

sisyphus1,

 

I've noticed what you say. I agree that it is not a good sign, hearing nothing by so far.

Yes, let's just keep positive.

[applyin&prayin]

We are all in very similar situations. It's kind of cruel for CMU to send out the acceptance emails on a friday and just leave the rest of us hanging for the entire weekend. I would at least like to receive a rejection letter just so I can stop refreshing my email page

[eternalmorning]

As far as I know, Yale also requires GRE Subject Math..

[sisyphus1]

As far as I know, Yale also requires GRE Subject Math..

boo are you sure?

there goes Yale then...

[levy]

Although the Yale statistics website states "GRE scores for the General Test and for the Subject Test ... should accompany an application.", the subject test is not absolutely neccessary, unless it has changed for this year.  (Source: I am a first year PhD student in the department, and did not take any GRE subject tests!)

[applyin&prayin]

I'm hoping those of us who haven't heard back from CMU can at least get some closure today

[Lelouch Lamperouge]

Although the Yale statistics website states "GRE scores for the General Test and for the Subject Test ... should accompany an application.", the subject test is not absolutely neccessary, unless it has changed for this year.  (Source: I am a first year PhD student in the department, and did not take any GRE subject tests!)

Hi levy,

 

how do you think my profile? Since you are a PhD stats student in Yale, I wish you could give me some advice like what I could do to improve my competitiveness if I stay one more year in undergraduate. Honestly speaking, there may not be many suitable undergraduate stats courses available for me, so I want to take a challenge to take the 1st year PhD course like Linear Models.

 

For research, from my experience and some professors' feedback, it is difficult for undergraduate students to work out some very significant research results. Even PhD students usually start their rigorous research at the beginning of the 3rd year. Is that correct?

 

Thanks!

[levy]

Hi levy,

 

how do you think my profile? Since you are a PhD stats student in Yale, I wish you could give me some advice like what I could do to improve my competitiveness if I stay one more year in undergraduate. Honestly speaking, there may not be many suitable undergraduate stats courses available for me, so I want to take a challenge to take the 1st year PhD course like Linear Models.

 

For research, from my experience and some professors' feedback, it is difficult for undergraduate students to work out some very significant research results. Even PhD students usually start their rigorous research at the beginning of the 3rd year. Is that correct?

 

Thanks!

I think your profile looks strong!  If you stay another year in undergrad I'd encourage you to continue your research or work deeply on some project in statistics that interests you!  Of course, advanced courses are good too, and I think admissions committees like to see students strong in both coursework and research or indep. projects. 

I think your research statement is generally true...you are not expected to have substantial results in rigourous mathematical statistics, although some type of research or substational project is more than a good idea.  You are correct too that the first two years are primarily coursework, although there are oppurtunites to start your second year if you are prepared!

Best of luck to everyone!

[Lelouch Lamperouge]

I think your profile looks strong!  If you stay another year in undergrad I'd encourage you to continue your research or work deeply on some project in statistics that interests you!  Of course, advanced courses are good too, and I think admissions committees like to see students strong in both coursework and research or indep. projects. 

I think your research statement is generally true...you are not expected to have substantial results in rigourous mathematical statistics, although some type of research or substational project is more than a good idea.  You are correct too that the first two years are primarily coursework, although there are oppurtunites to start your second year if you are prepared!

Best of luck to everyone!

 

Hi, levy,

 

your suggestion is very helpful. I'll treat it seriously. Thank you so much!