Wait listed by Columbia Stats? HOW? WHY?

[Riemann]

Hi guys,

 

I am applying to 2014 fall MS/MA in statistics. Cambridge Math undergrad, second class upper division(II.1 no GPA in the UK Unis). Full mark GRE Quant, low in Verbal.

 

Columbia's program is like a backup for me and it is not a secret that it admitted almost everyone. 

 

I am shocked that I was put on the waiting list and they offered me a ridiculous hybrid program (half online half on campus), I rejected that and remain on the list.

 

Can anybody see why I got that? I don't mean I'm good but t least good enough for that program. Made me so sad....

[StatPhD2014]

Hi guys,

 

I am applying to 2014 fall MS/MA in statistics. Cambridge Math undergrad, second class upper division(II.1 no GPA in the UK Unis). Full mark GRE Quant, low in Verbal.

 

Columbia's program is like a backup for me and it is not a secret that it admitted almost everyone. 

 

I am shocked that I was put on the waiting list and they offered me a ridiculous hybrid program (half online half on campus), I rejected that and remain on the list.

 

Can anybody see why I got that? I don't mean I'm good but t least good enough for that program. Made me so sad....

Hmmm i also thought almost everyone that met their requirements (which arent a lot) are admitted. Out of curiosity what other programs did you apply to , i am assuming they are all Master's programs. Don't know the rest of your application so cant comment on your likelihood of admittance.

[dasgut]

Did they inform you via website or did you get an email?

[leslie89]

OMG! You made me nervous. I am from cambridge as well, doing mathematic, with terrible gpa.......it seems that I can get in nowhere......what other schools did you apply to？

[leslie89]

also, I have heard that someone has already got the offers a few days ago. I am wondering why there are not any posts of offers in the forum

[dasgut]

I just received an email directing me to the website. I was accepted.

[Riemann]

Hmmm i also thought almost everyone that met their requirements (which arent a lot) are admitted. Out of curiosity what other programs did you apply to , i am assuming they are all Master's programs. Don't know the rest of your application so cant comment on your likelihood of admittance.

Yes all the others are Masters. I dont mind being rejected by columbia, but that means even Columbia's stats not take me so my application must be so weak....

[Riemann]

Did they inform you via website or did you get an email?

email to check website 

[Stat Assistant Professor]

Yes all the others are Masters. I dont mind being rejected by columbia, but that means even Columbia's stats not take me so my application must be so weak....

 

How low were your GRE verbal and your writing scores? Do you have any idea how your letters of recommendation were? It seems odd to me, given  your profile, that you would be waitlisted from any Statistics Master's program in the U.S., let alone Columbia's.

 

The GRE verbal and writing scores certainly are not weighed very heavily but if they are *too* low and your statement of purpose did not read well (i.e. had a lot of grammatical errors... the content might not matter as much but it's good to make sure it is at least comprehensible). it could hurt the application. Also, weak letters of recommendation could hurt an otherwise strong application, even for Master's applicants.

[Stat Assistant Professor]

Thanks for your prompt reply. Letters should be good, one from my Dos(doing quantum information, senior lecturer at Cam), one from a supervisor(now in Rome but was a lecturer at princeton), one from a professor doing fluids at Cambridge, and another professor doing Psycho with Stats at Berkeley(this one kind of family relation). They all have pretty positive attitudes on me, so letters should not be prob.

 

GRE verbal 148/170, AW 3.5 (I know it's very low, but considering it's stats I am applying who cares that, I just did no resit...).

 

Also my resume is ok, top 20 in uk Math olympiad, Internship at State Council of China.....

 

Really disappointed by this rejection, I think I'm ok, but even Columbia........

 

Did you actually study or work under this professor at Berkeley? Are the lecturer and supervisers tenure-track? It's best if all your letters of recommendation had come from tenure track faculty with whom you studied and/or did research under.

[Riemann]

Did you actually study or work under this professor at Berkeley? Are the lecturer and supervisers tenure-track? It's best if all your letters of recommendation had come from tenure track faculty with whom you studied and/or did research under.

the only one I did not work with is the Berkeley's one....and they're all tenured

[Stat Assistant Professor]

Not sure why you were waitlisted. It is difficult to say and most of us on this board can only speculate anyway. It could be that the bar for international applicants is set even higher these days, since the number of people applying to stats graduate programs has gone up a lot. Maybe you could try to find some data on the average GRE scores, GPAs, etc. of Columbia admits.

[Riemann]

Not sure why you were waitlisted. It is difficult to say and most of us on this board can only speculate anyway. It could be that the bar for international applicants is set even higher these days, since the number of people applying to stats graduate programs has gone up a lot. Maybe you could try to find some data on the average GRE scores, GPAs, etc. of Columbia admits.

I'll see..... Thanks a lot for your help!

[gradapp166]

When did you guys apply?

I haven't heard from them at all, and I am nervous!!

Did anyone get a rejection letter?

[chetanxavier]

How many people have applied this year? Is it true that the program is 90% international. Does it mean that the average domestic students are at a big disadvantage applying? I've seen many Chinese student scores and they are extremely high GRE around 160/170 and 3.8 gpa. I'm somewhat depressed about applying and I think most of us domestic students will get rejected. Can anyone clarify this?

[StatPhD2014]

The program is primarily international most statistics masters programs are primarily international . The fact that it is primarily international might make it easier for domestic applicants actually. The requirements for the MA program are not that high don't worry about a high barrier for entry. There are other much smaller and elite masters program in statistics such as Chicago, Berkeley, Stanford the qualifications for those would be higher .

Edited March 4, 2014 by StatPhD2014

[Andy C.]

@Chetanxavier According to the MA director, Dr. Demissie Alemayehu, they usually get several hundred applications and accept about 30%. However, the past few years has seen a sharp downward trend of acceptance rates for all terminal statistics master's in the US, so it has probably become more competitive. One alumni told me it was "95% international, as in, 95% Chinese nationals." 

 

Every admissions director I spoke with predicted severe increases in applicants to their programs this year, so the same may well be observed at Columbia. 

 

I concur with StatPhD2014. It is probably easier for domestic applicants since we become the "diversity admits" to round out the class. Another consideration is that domestic applicants have better odds of securing employment following graduation, hedging the placement results of the program.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Andy C.

[Y.T. Safire]

My friend who is a stats PhD student at UWisc-Madison was turned down by the MA program last year.

 

I believe you are overqualified.

[soobin247]

Bump.

 

@Riemann Have you heard back from them yet?