Sitting on Berkeley MA acceptance but looking to do PhD

[pinnumberwrong]

Hi all,

 

The application season is almost over and I only got one acceptance from Berkeley's Statistics master program. Actually i didn't give grad school too much thought until the beginning of my senior year and I didn't really realize how competitive the Statistics PhD application is until recently. Since only Berkeley accepted me, I guess I'm going to accept the admission. But still, I'm hoping that I can get off the waitlists from two other PhD programs that I really want to attend. One of the schools told me that I was placed on a shortlist but my ranking (#5) on the list is low so my chances are not good.

 

So the worst case scenario here is that I go to Berkeley for a year and reapply next year. The only thing that I'm concerned is the quality of their master program. As far as I know, they accept more students this year and they changed the program into a 1 year program since 2012. So I don't really know if a Stat master from Berkeley will enhance my chances of getting into a top PhD program.

 

Here's a little bit about my background:

 

International student studying at a top 20 private university in the United States. The school enjoys reputation for its undergraduate education. However, the school's statistics department is not very well-known. 

 

4.0 Stat major GPA. 3.8 overall GPA. didn't really take any grad level stat classes because they weren't offered last year.

 

GRE: 169V+166Q+4.5 

 

Research: I think this is the part that really hurts me. I only had one research experience in statistics. and because I didn't do very well (I didn't know that I wanted to apply for PhDs and I was in pretty bad shape when I was doing it), I didn't really ask the professor to write me an recommendation letter.

 

All I was thinking before applying for PhD was to get a job after graduation. Even when last year I was applying for grad schools, I was distracted by on-campus recruiting events and interviews. In summary, I was not a very dedicated applicant. I was uncertain about PhD and I was uncertain about getting a job. So I didn't do well in both. Now the desire to apply for PhD becomes stronger and stronger and I think I know what I want. Sorry this paragraph sounds very emotional 

 

I am thinking about doing research in statistics this summer to enhance my research experience, which I consider as the weakest part of my application.

 

Any advice on how to enhance my chances to reapply next year are welcome.

 

Thanks a lot!

[pinnumberwrong]

hmmm anyone?

[LystAP]

If you were to choose the Master's program at Berkeley, I find that it may be a benefit if you were to apply for PhDs afterwards. I was in a Master's program at Irvine and I believe the connections I established while as a Master's student helped me get accepted into PhD programs this year, despite my low GRE scores among other things. That I undertook graduate research with one of the professors in my department also helped, both through experience and cementing possible research interests; it was also easier to find a supportive mentor through their connections. The program may not be well known, but I bet some of the professors are, especially in the more closed fields.

 

Most schools see a Master's as a plus, as you have already demonstrated that you have a higher likelihood of succeeding in graduate studies based on precedence, than if you were to proceed directly from a undergraduate degree. Of course, this advice varies with a individual's experience in a program.

Edited March 19, 2013 by LystAP

[pinnumberwrong]

If you were to choose the Master's program at Berkeley, I find that it may be a benefit if you were to apply for PhDs afterwards. I was in a Master's program at Irvine and I believe the connections I established while as a Master's student helped me get accepted into PhD programs this year, despite my low GRE scores among other things. That I undertook graduate research with one of the professors in my department also helped, both through experience and cementing possible research interests; it was also easier to find a supportive mentor through their connections. The program may not be well known, but I bet some of the professors are, especially in the more closed fields.

 

Most schools see a Master's as a plus, as you have already demonstrated that you have a higher likelihood of succeeding in graduate studies based on precedence, than if you were to proceed directly from a undergraduate degree. Of course, this advice varies with a individual's experience in a program.

Thanks for your advice