Comparison between stat master programs: UMN and Rice

[chrishacker]

Well, I am admitted to these two programs and I am hesitating. I am planning to take a Stat/ Biostat PhD after the MA. Could anyone here provide some suggestions and infor on them? My major concerns are as follows:

 

UMN

Pros: Yes, it has an overall reputation of outstanding research universities, and besides a very good stat department, they are also strong in maths/biostat/econ...And I hear that profs are very helpful and friendly. An essay is needed to finish the MS, and there are two elective courses in supporting fields so I can find out what I really love. That's really good. And it's cheap as long as I don't have more than 14 credits a semester. I won't do this since 4 courses together with PhD students seem to have myself overloaded since I am not major in a quantitative field in undergrad.

 

Cons: Some person tells me that UMN are experiencing a big change on their faculty members. Many well-known researchers have retired/ transferred/are going to retire soon, etc. And nobody knows whether the new hires are as good as the old ones. That's exactly what my undergrad school is experiencing, and I am not so satisfied with the education I have received there. I am a little scared that this would happen again if I go to UMN. And fewer of their PhD students go to academia (about 1 out of 4).

In addition, in cold weathers I am not motivated to do sports...so I usually increase my weight...

 

Rice

 

Pros: The environment in the campus and the weather is more desirable for me. I am also attracted by its small size as well as a track that is designed for future PhD students. And I can complete it in 1.5 years instead of two. It is also known for close relationship between students and profs.

 

Cons: I have to pay more either on living expenses and tuition, though Rice is among the cheapest private schools. And there is no requirement on research. I am not sure whether I can find a RA when I finish the master (I know that in some disciplines this is possible, but not sure for stats), so there is a possibility that I wouldn't have any research experience in stats when I apply to a PhD program.

 

I will be very appreciated if someone here can provide more information on these two programs, and what kind of research the professors in these two programs are doing. Thanks in advance !

[eternalmorning]

I also heard that some of the renowned researchers in UMN are going to retire soon. I think UMN is still a good option though, and the academic placement rate (1/4) seems okay in the field of statistics.

[yui]

Do I need to re-apply for the PhD program after I finish my MS degree at Rice?

[chrishacker]

Do I need to re-apply for the PhD program after I finish my MS degree at Rice?

 

From their websites MS students should reapply...

[Zaphod2020]

On 3/26/2013 at 11:50 PM, eternalmorning said:

I also heard that some of the renowned researchers in UMN are going to retire soon. I think UMN is still a good option though, and the academic placement rate (1/4) seems okay in the field of statistics.

Reviving this old thread that I came across recently.

Does anyone know if UMN has managed to make up for the loss of some of its star faculty?