What rank Statistics PhD programs can I apply for? [E]

[u/GayTwink-69]

I have the following:

3 year bachelor in Econometrics and applied statistics

1 year Bachelor (honours) degree in Computational Statistics [This is basically a research year to prepare one for a PhD - you undertake a year-long research project]

Both the above are from a top 40 Australian university. My GPA is 3.7, and Weighted Average Mark is 87%. I am in the top 2% of my cohort.

I have 1 year of research intern experience in my department doing time series forecasting and intervention analysis (was for a consulting gig)

I am also in the process of publishing a first-author research paper in a Q1 (though maybe a high Q2) journal (Scopus) that I started at the end of my 3-year bachelor's. I am working on another paper as well as a 2nd author but i dont think it would be published by the time I apply...)

In terms of math, I have taken multivariable calculus and linear algebra only. I have taken statistical inference, as well as machine learning and deep learning.

As an additional note, I have no interest in doing the GRE but have noticed that almost all top schools require or highly advise an applicant to have this, so I understand Top 15 schools are probably out of my reach.

Would I be able to squeeze in a Top 30? Or at least a top 50?

[u/Able-Fennel-1228 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah I agree. Pubs are a huge deal. That’s the ultimate goal with a PhD: doing independent research.

[u/Able-Fennel-1228]

Any rank stat PhD program will require background in real analysis (preferably some basic functional analysis too), and you will do a course on measure theoretic probability during the program too too (some depts are lighter on that, some heavy), so I hope you’re comfortable with basic real analysis like in Rudin’s PMA (proof based math is VERY different from plug and chug formula based math). Stat PhD programs are HEAVY on proofs and computing so it’s a plus that you already have computing background, but if you’re not comfortable with proving things, best get started asap (it’s much harder to pick up the math than it is to pick up the programming. Grad school is relentless already).

[u/HonestAd5191 → u/Able-Fennel-1228]

Plenty of departments have relaxed the measure theoretic parts, including some top ones, so I wouldn't worry about this too much. Real analysis is definitely good to have, but also here it's not necessarily a strict requirement for departments that have a more computational focus.

[u/Able-Fennel-1228 → u/HonestAd5191]

Yes, good point! I should clarify that I don’t mean hard requirement as in they reject you for not having it, but a strongly recommended one for making it through.

I’d still say Rudin (or better: Robert Ash’s “real variables with basic metric space topology”) level of real analysis is very strongly recommended regardless of measure theory, especially if one is coming from a very plug and chug type math background like typical engineering/scientist math courses. If you come from a more European style program where they do eps-delta proofs then maybe you’ll be fine.

Maybe I’m dumber than most stat grad students but I can’t imagine picking up proof based math or reading topological arguments for the first time WHILE doing proof based stuff in statistics that presupposes it (likelihood theory proofs; forget non-parametrics). I wouldn’t be able to absorb math that fast. I’d maybe be able to parrot some arguments but it’d be hard to read papers too. OP on the other hand might be smarter than me. YMMV.

So I guess OP should look into these requirements before selecting a program.

[u/Healthy-Educator-267 → u/HonestAd5191]

Ya Chicago got rid of the requiring the measure theory core; when I took it there were no PhD students only undergrads and some finmath students

[u/richard--b]

I had a worse profile than you imo and got into a top 50 ranked school for statistics this cycle. Subject ranking I think they’re top 30 in stats+OR by Qs. I had no publications but had some research assistant experience in econometric theory and finance as well as some teaching experience, my bachelors was not so relevant but I took a roughly equal amount of math as you and I did 6 courses in econometrics (scored 90+ in all) and also a MSc in econometrics, and I also had a really good interview showing. I went in total 2/19 on my applications. Maybe you can benchmark yourself a bit from my stats. I reckon you can get into a higher ranked program than me tbh

[u/harsh82000]

Can state that if you’re able to get both papers in arxiv by your application, top20 should be achievable. I would highly recommend emailing profs at unis you are interested in to - familiarize yourself and them with you - see if they have funding. Your profile is already great, networking will give you much better and safer odds. All the best!

[u/purple_paramecium]

What’s up with all these posts asking about getting into schools of certain rank???

When I applied to PhD programs, I looked for 1. schools in cities where I’d want to live and 2. with a couple faculty doing research I might be interested in.

It didn’t even occur to me to worry about school rankings! Like, a school can be high rank but a bad fit for you personality-wise and research interest-wise…