Profile Evaluation for Stats Master

[gm758]

Undergraduate: 

UC Santa Barbara

B.S. Mathematics, Anthropology minor

3.76 cumulative GPA

3.65 major GPA (much higher grades in second 2 years)

 

Other Experience:

 

Two semesters of independent study in the mathematics department (not stats related) with excellent LOR from advisor. Programming experience in Python and R.

 

Research/Presentations:

 

Two years as a medical research assistant. Work involved a combination of designing/coordinating clinical trials and conducting epi research using monte carlo simulation models. Coauthor on two abstracts (one clinical, one model-based). Several publications in the works, including one first-author data analysis. Not sure these will be published by the time I apply.

 

Letters of Recommendation:

 

One from Mathematics professor who I conducted independent study with. One from Biochemistry professor I got to know quite well. One from PI from research assistant position (biostatistician at top medical school).

 

Interests:

I am interested in computational statistics and machine learning. I want to work as a data scientist and keep the door open for a PhD down the road. Despite my background, I am not particularly interested in biostatistics programs.

 

Considering Applying to:

Columbia - MS in Statistics

University College of London - CSML

UCLA - MS in Statistics

Georgia Tech - CSE

Edinburg - Statistics and OR

UNC - INSTORE

UT Austin - MS in Statistics

UCSB - MA in Statistics (alma mater)

 

Am I aiming too high? Are there any programs I am missing that I might have a good shot at that emphasize the computational aspects of statistics?

[ar_rf]

I don't think you're aiming too high at all. I'm not particularly familiar with masters programs, but I imagine that you'd be very competitive at almost any program. One program you should definitely look at is Michigan, they have a strong ML group and most of their english-speaking masters students are funded as TAs.

Edited March 15, 2015 by ar_rf

[StatsG0d]

If you're looking at a terminal masters, I think you're selling yourself too short. Apply also to Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvard. I'm fairly confident you can get into at least one of these.

 

With that said, you should really consider applying to PhD programs directly if you're considering one down the road. If you decide to leave early, you'll get your masters. Just my .02.

[gm758]

If you're looking at a terminal masters, I think you're selling yourself too short. Apply also to Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvard. I'm fairly confident you can get into at least one of these.

 

With that said, you should really consider applying to PhD programs directly if you're considering one down the road. If you decide to leave early, you'll get your masters. Just my .02.

 

That's not a bad idea. I'd probably have to aim lower if I want to get a PhD though, right? Maybe the best thing for me to do is apply to a combination of higher ranked Master's programs and lower ranked PhDs to keep my options open. Thanks for the advice!

[StatsG0d]

That's not a bad idea. I'd probably have to aim lower if I want to get a PhD though, right? Maybe the best thing for me to do is apply to a combination of higher ranked Master's programs and lower ranked PhDs to keep my options open. Thanks for the advice!

 

That's a good strategy, although I don't think you would have to aim too low. In my opinion, your profile is stronger than mine and I was accepted to some fairly competitive programs. Your math GPA may be slightly below average, but since you had much higher grades in your last two years (in the advanced classes), I think you'll send a strong signal.

[gm758]

Just wanted to submit an update. I took the GRE this afternoon and scored 165 on Verbal and 167 on Quant. Is this in range for top tier master's programs?

[StatsG0d]

I got into Columbia's MS with a 157V and 164Q. So yeah, you're probably in great shape.