UC Davis vs U Michigan - Statistics PhD

[jdm11]

I posted this before in the general forums but decided it'd fit better here. As the title mentioned, I'm choosing between these two school (and UCLA if I get in...) for a Stat PhD. A bit about me. I'm an undergrad from Rice and I'm pretty sure I want to go into industry after grad school (google, walmart labs, some start-up. Think data science jobs). My research interests include statistical learning methods and graphical models. Here is a bit about each school that I've decided is important to help me make a decision.

UC Davis

• Already in California.
• Accepted into this program that looks like it'll prepare me for a good first job in industry (http://www.stat.ucdavis.edu/research/nsf-rtg/index.html)
• $21,000 stipend over 9 months
• $5,000 summer fellowship for one month for the first two years
• No mention of TA duties but probs assume I'll have to TA each semester I'm there

Michigan

• Much higher ranking (top 6-top 15 at most of the websites I've looked at)
• $2418.64/ month stipend with health and dental coverage
• $9690 summer stipend for first year only
• No TA duties for first year, and two semesters of my choosing between 2nd and 3rd

Seems like Michigan is an obvious choice but I'm afraid it might be too theoretical/difficult for me to branch out and take other classes. I essentially want to take or audit up to the first year or two of the computer science major of whichever university I attend. Also, I'm from Houston, TX and have never been in the true cold vs Davis which is in California (where I'll probably want to work afterwards). Any help??

[jaymeowmeow]

Hi, before I address your question.. I was wondering when did you hear from Davis? (I applied there and got asked for a phone call by a prof, and haven't heard since then, two weeks ago now.) Also, UCLA Stat PhD hasn't gotten you a decision yet? I know people who got in (I did not) and already attended a visit day. 

Now to your questions..... Have you visited both programs yet? That will honestly be one of the only ways you know for sure which program to go with. The money sounds somewhat comparable at both schools minus TA duties, so I think you should look at who the professors are and who you would like to work with. Once you visit, you'll get a feel for whether you want to live in that place for 5 years. It sounds like Michigan would be a bit far for you, but that you're also considering the prestige of the program. It is different for everyone, but personally I think "ranking" is most arbitrary for stats grad programs. Sure, you may want the extra "wow" factor, but ultimately the job market is good enough that you will be hired upon graduation even if you attended a program unranked. A PhD in Stats will get you that far (as long as you put forth the effort) no matter where you go. 

So, if you have visited either program, it would be useful to know what you thought. If you haven't, let that be the deciding factor.

[Stats2016]

From what I've gathered around here, I believe "prestige" of the program really only matters if you're planning on a career in academia. 

If you're looking to go into industry, UC Davis looks like it's in a great location being near Silicon Valley and such. Obviously, UC Davis has a great reputation in general as well. 

Edited March 3, 2016 by Stats2016

[jdm11]

@jaymeowmeow I actually heard from them yesterday! I emailed Dr. Polonik because I was worried I'd have bought a ticket to visit another school by the time Davis accepted me and told me their visit day and politely asked them to expedite the process for me for that reason. He said on March 1st "You will hear from us very soon (either this week or early next week). We are just about to wrap things up..." So I suppose you'll hear back within the next 7 days or so! Good luck. Also, thanks for the UCLA tip. I must have gotten rejected or waitlisted and they just haven't told me. I even emailed the dept last week and still no response haha oh well. 

In regards to visiting, I haven't done that yet. I visit Michigan on the 18th and Davis on potentially April 4th. That will definitely be a big factor. I'm mainly asking on this forum because I hope someone might bring something to my attention that I can talk about during the visit days for each school!

[jdm11]

6 minutes ago, Stats2016 said:

From what I've gathered around here, I believe "prestige" of the program really only matters if you're planning on a career in academia. 

If you're looking to go into industry, UC Davis looks like it's in a great location being near Silicon Valley and such. Obviously, UC Davis has a great reputation in general as well. 

That's an interesting and valid point! I will be sure to discuss that with the students when I visit each school.

[PhdStats]

You can check your UCLA status here: https://appstatus.grad.ucla.edu/account/login.aspx 

If you haven't been rejected that means you are on the waitlist.