MS Statistics Profile Evaluation '15

[sakanaction]

Undergraduate:

School: Top 15 Public University, Top 50 National University in US News (graduating in May 2015)

Major: Statistics, Economics

GPA: 3.45

GRE: V154, Q167, AW3.5

 

Relevant Course Work:

Calculus III (B-),  Statistics and Probability (B+), Statistics and Probability II (B-), Linear Algebra (B+), Applied Regression I (A), Applied Regression II (A), Applied Multivariate Analysis (A), Statistical Data Management (A-), Applied Econometrics (A+), Categorical Data Analysis (B+), Advanced Data Analysis (A-)

 

Experience:

- survey research assistant at school, cleaning data and performing simple inferential statistics on survey responses in R and SPSS (8 months)

- statistical analyst intern, predictive modeling on geological data in R at a government agency (current, 1.5 yrs by the time of graduation)

 

Programs Applying To:

MS: Berkeley, Duke, UNC, Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois, UCLA, Iowa

 

My major question is, how do I rank compared to these programs? I realize Berkeley is a long shot for me, but I am wondering about the other schools. Recommendations? 

 

Also, is it worth taking the GRE again? I am concerned about my low AW score (3.5), but I am not confident in getting higher than a 4 (4.5 if lucky) even if I take it again. How much of an impact is there between an AW score of 3.5 vs 4 for a MS in Statistics?

 

My GPA is not ideal but I feel I make up for it with my work experiences in applied statistics, which is rare for undergrads.

 

Any feedback is appreciated.

Edited November 11, 2014 by sakanaction

[Johnny Ren]

I think UMN is fine, im in UMN , they accept many graduate students.  And they not look at GRE much. Writing 3 is ok, my friends only 3.0 still UCB. Put more work on your work experience and research in your sop will be good for you.

Edited December 12, 2014 by Johnny Ren

[StatsG0d]

I think you have a decent shot but it looks like most of your B's are in important, theoretical courses (Probability and Stats, Multivariate, Linear Algebra) while your A's are in more applied courses. I'm not sure how that will look to the adcoms unless your university is known for deflating grades.

[BrainDrain87]

Hi All, I'm somewhat of an oddity here for stats.

My interest is to get into Umass Amherst's MS Stats program or the Biostat program through the school up public health.... So by no means top tiered programs, but not bad either.

 

 

My goal is to work in industry or gov. nothing academic beyond the MS. 

My academic background is a BA in English with a 3.5 from Umass. I then went on the take Calc I, II, III, Diff Eq, and linear algebra receiving an A in each course (at a local comm college since).  In order to fulfill the minimum prereqs for most the programs I was interested in, I still needed a stat course. In my search to find a course that fit my work schedule I stumbled upon a grad level mathematical stats course at another UMass. I took the course and received a B...

 

My question: will this grad level B be a stumbling block toward my progress of getting into my desired programs?? The coordinator at the school that I took the class (a lesser known Umass) said I'd be in solid shape with an A or a B for admission... 

 

My concern is the interpretive variations that seems to exist regarding grade from institution to institution; a B one place is borderline failure while a B somewhere else is fine. 

Edited December 19, 2014 by BrainDrain87

[StatsG0d]

To the OP: Just realized you're applying to MS and not PhD. You'll be strong at all those schools I am sure.

 

BrainDrain: I don't think that will severely hurt you. I think a B is fine, particularly since you took it at the same university you are applying to. Good luck.

[StatsGuy92]

I am in the exact same situation as you OP, i.e. I am satistified with all of my application except my GRE score; my verbal was not as high as I had wished...