Statistics-Need advice for going back to school

[statswannabe]

Hello all.  I am going to be applying to some statistics grad programs over the next few months and I am looking for some advice.  Here is my profile:

 

Domestic male

 

Undergrad: Big 10 school

 

Major: Actuarial Science

 

GPA: 3.75, 3.90 Major (graduated in 3 years)

 

Work:

3+ years as an actuary for an insurance company (financial)

Undergrad Math TA (precalc 1 quarter)

Calc tutor - 2 years

 

GRE: 149V/169Q/4.5AW

 

LOR: will have decent letters from math professors

 

Related courses:

Calc II-A

Calc III-B+

Calc IV-A

Probability-B

Intro to Mathematical Stats I-A

Intro to Mathematical Stats II-A

Linear Algebra-A

Applied Regression Analysis-B+

Actuarial courses-Life contingencies (3 courses, all A), Interest theory (A-), Financial Economics (A)

 

Actuarial Exams: Probability, Financial Mathematics, Life Contingencies, Financial Economics, Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models, 2 Written assessments bason on actuarial readings and practices.  I am an Associate of the Society of Actuaries.

 

Schools: Wisconsin, NC State, Iowa State, Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, Va Tech, Missouri

 

My concerns/weaknesses are:

-I have been out of school for 3 years

-I have a low Verbal GRE score

-I was not a traditional math major and have not taken real analysis

-I do not have any research experience

 

I ultimately want to earn a PhD.  Is it reasonable for me to be accepted to any PhD programs in Fall of 2014 based on my profile?  Would I need to get a MS first then try for a PhD since I don't have analysis?  Is it worth it to retake the GRE to try to improve my Verbal score?  How hard is it to be accepted to a school's MS program then transfer into their PhD program-easier than applying for PhD?  Is my list of schools too optimistic?

 

Any other advice or feedback is welcomed.  Thanks in advance for your help!

Edited October 8, 2013 by statswannabe