Improving MS Profile - 1 Year

[MSFuture]

Hi everyone,

I need some advice on what to do for the next year before I apply to Statistics MS programs.

I am potentially interested in PhD Statistics or Machine Learning programs and thus I know that my MS program ranking could influence my future application. I also am wary of going to a sub top-10 program since I'm scared I might end up spending quite a lot of money on the program without substantially increasing my future chances at PhD programs.

My main issue is that I have weak Math grades (~3.2), with some particularly weak grades in core courses like Linear Algebra (B-), Functional Analysis (C), and ODEs (C+) (11 math courses total). A B-B+ math student in my other courses would sum it up. I have taken a class through Harvard Extension covering some of this, particularly Linear Algebra, Real Analysis and Multivariable Calc, achieving an A. I just don't know if this will be sufficient to convince MS committees that I can do math.

I have excellent grades in my Statistics coursework (~3.8) (10 courses) and a good, but not great, overall GPA (~3.7) from a Top 3 Public. I also graduated Phi Beta Kappa if that means anything.

As far as everything else, I have near perfect GRE scores (167+ for each section, 5+ for AWA) as well as 3 strong letters from Statistics professors. Domestic male student.

Questions:

1. Is there any benefit to continue taking extension courses to rectify past coursework performance? I'm planning to take a proof-based course in convex optimization in 3-4 months. I can't find any program that offers Functional Analysis or ODEs through extension and I'm working, so I'm not able to go back for undergrad classes, even if they would let me enroll.

2. Is taking, and doing well, on the Math GRE Subject test something to consider, even though Stats MS programs don't require it?

3. Are authorships in industry-oriented statistical publications worthwhile to pursue? My job might allow me to pursue publications with applied researchers in my company within the next year.

Any advice that you can give me at this point to improve my chances for top programs (I'm aiming for Stanford, WashU, and UChicago) would be appreciated! Thanks!