Stories of people who've successfully switched over to mathematics and or statistics

[TenaciousBushLeaper]

As a psychology major who's taken a fair share of mathematics courses, and who spends most of his time doing problem sets from different probability/statistics/analysis/algebra books as opposed to actually reading the material for my classes I often fantasize about making a what I imagine to be dramatic change over to mathematics/statistics. 

I'd like to hear about stories of people who've changed over to mathematics from various disciplines, if only to romanticize about the prospect a little longer. 

Any and all stories shared would be greatly appreciated! 

[lisa8191]

I was a biochemistry major. I love biology but decided to pursue something related to data analysis and statistics also. So, I applied to biostatistics. I'm going to start the program this fall!

[IanYoung]

I had my undergrad degree in information systems and my master's in social work. I decided to switch to stat/biostat after recognizing my true passion in analytic work, and have been accepted to one of the top-notch biostat MS programs. As long as you fulfill the course requirements (i.e. calculus 1-3, linear algebra, real analysis, etc), imo, you will definitely have a good chance of making the switch at least on the master's level.

[WhiteLion]

I technically got an undergrad degree in math, but barely and with bad grades, so I think the path I took was similar to someone switching fields. My career in my other undergrad field was not offering the kinds of opportunities I had hoped(and it didn't help that I graduated at the height of the recession), so I decided to look at statistics since it is very marketable and has more of a real world connection, which appeals to me, than the pure math I took as an undergrad. I took a couple upper level applied math/stat courses at my local state school and leveraged some of my connections to get a spot in a funded masters program in stats despite have basically no stats background and poor math grades.

 

Now, the masters program that took me isn't especially famous or prestigious(you won't see it on the US News rankings), but I loaded up on challenging coursework, worked hard to fill my gaps and demonstrate my ability, applied for PhDs, and was able to get some acceptances from very decent programs.

 

And honestly, one is probably better off having a sub-math major background(as long as it fulfills the course requirements) than being in my position with bad math grades. After all, if you take abstract algebra and fail it like I did everyone knows you suck, whereas if you took a few less courses and did well, it looks like you have potential and are simply switching focus.

[Stat Assistant Professor]

I did my Bachelors in social sciences and did not take any math past linear algebra and Calculus III. After graduating college, I took several math and programming courses at local colleges while I was working full-time, so I was able to get into an Applied Math MS program. I did well there and now am in a Statistics PhD program.

Edited March 17, 2015 by Applied Math to Stat

[StatsG0d]

I was an economics major. Like you, I had my fair share of math courses, but I had my sights on an economics PhD so I took more than I needed to (differential equations, real analysis, etc.). En route, I took a statistics course and I loved it, but it was too late to change majors.

 

I think what really solidified my decision to pursue a stats PhD instead of economics was my experience doing applied econometric research at an international organization. I decided it wasn't right for me, with the reliance on (rather unrealistic) linear assumptions and exclusive use of linear regression. While doing a project, I was attempting to read the literature on how people solved a similar problem, and one person wrote a paper using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, which kind of opened my eyes fully.

[Karoku_valentine]

I did a Bachelor in Social Sciences, and I did take some Statistics (mostly applied quantitative) and some Mathematical courses (Cal II and III, and some matrix algebra). During my master's program I took econometrics, statistics and all the required Math since I was thinking about pursuing an Econ PhD, but I realized I wanted a PhD because of the statistical skills, so I decided to apply for Statistics instead and got admitted. Currently work as a risk specialist after my master.

[hausinthehouse]

I was a successful applicant at the Masters' level in biostat coming from a philosophy background (buuuuut I currently can't say anything beyond that.) I have the generally minimum accepted math background - Cal 1-3 and Linear Algebra, and was accepted to four out of the five programs i applied to. All these programs were in the top 10 and I received full funding from two out of four (although I think this isn't a typical result for people with my background.) I participated in a SIBS last summer after I graduated as well, which I think strengthened my application as someone with an atypical undergrad experience. My undergrad GPA and GRE were both very strong and I have reason to think at least one of my recommenders (within philosophy) said that I was among the few strongest students he ever had.

[TenaciousBushLeaper]

WOW! I honestly did not imagine this thread would get so many responses. Thank you all! 

As for me, I plan to apply to Quantitative Psychology programs so that is sort of my "out" and "in" . I find mathematics courses to be my favorite and the consequently the easiest once I understand what it is the math is saying. 

[MathCat]

I don't know the details, but one of my professors was in engineering and didn't decide to switch to math until he did his masters. He hadn't done pure math course work until he randomly decided to sit in on one fourth year course for fun.