Name

Lauren Conway

School

University of Akron

Degree Program

First year Masters student in Applied Statistics

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Integrated Mathematics from Kent State University, 2009

Research Interests

Statistics, secondary education

Hobbies

Reading, exercise, dance

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected my graduate school based on the combination of location and degree options. The University of Akron was the only school that was a reasonable distance from where I live in Hudson, Ohio, that also offered an applied statistics graduate degree.

I chose to pursue a masters degree in applied statistics because I thought it would give me more versatility in my career. I taught high school mathematics for 2 years before entering graduate school, but I was not sure if I wanted to stay in the field of secondary education. A masters degree in statistics will give me the option to continue teaching or to transition into the business world.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared myself for graduate school by talking to students I knew who were in or had recently finished a graduate program. Soliciting advice from graduate students helped me get an idea of what graduate school would be like. For example, they warned me that the homework in graduate programs is much more intense than undergraduate work.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

For this particular program, no GRE or entrance exam was required as part of the application. However, I did need to complete specific prerequisite courses in calculus, linear algebra and applied statistics. Maintaining an excellent GPA was also an important factor in admission. I am not sure if statistics programs at other schools require a GRE, so I would recommend that students do their research at least a year before they apply to a program.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I did not have to submit letters of recommendation to University of Akron. However, if I do need letters of recommendation in the future, I am hoping to ask faculty members whose classes pertain to my future career.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in statistics?

To succeed in a graduate statistics program, students need to build a strong background in theoretical mathematics, analysis and theoretical probability during their undergraduate career. I also recommend that students take upper-level courses in statistics in order to prepare for the rigorous workload of a graduate program.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

It takes two years to complete the masters program in statistics. Both years are fairly evenly distributed in terms of workload and curriculum, and the second year builds upon the material learned during the first year of study. Toward the end of the program, students focus increasingly on their thesis.

What is the focus of your masters research?

As it is only my first semester, I do not have a thesis project yet. However, fellow students are currently working on their project so I can speak to what I have seen from them. One student is writing a thesis on whether or not the free tutoring lab affects students’ grades. She has collected data with a sign-in sheet at the tutoring lab to determine how many hours students were spending in the lab. Then she plans to compare the grades of students who went to the lab to those of students who did not visit the lab to see if there is a measurable difference in their academic performances.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

I do not work very closely with my advisor. Once a week, I meet with him in a group along with the other graduate students, and we discuss our questions or concerns. I have actually spent more time working with our department secretary than with my advisor.

Does your masters program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, my applied statistics program at University of Akron requires comprehensive exams prior to graduation. In general, most exams are like an oversized version of the tests that are taken throughout the course. They are formatted like typical math tests.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The most striking difference between the masters program and my previous undergraduate study was that graduate study requires me to be more theoretical and independent. In graduate school, I am learning material that is grounded in theory, which requires a different perspective when looking at the math itself. In addition, there is a certain level of maturity and independence expected from graduate students as compared to undergraduate students. Everyone treats you more like an adult than a student.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

Since I am a resident of Ohio, my masters program would have cost me more than $400 per credit if I were paying for my graduate education out of pocket.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education through an assistantship that waives all my tuition, excluding fees. It also provides me with a bi-weekly stipend for my teaching and consulting duties. As a graduate assistant, I am required to teach a few labs and provide tutoring to students that need help.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters in statistics?

For my masters program in statistics, I attend class 2 times per week, which means I spend about 9 hours total in the classroom. Outside of class, I work on homework assignments and reread notes. In addition, I spend about 20 hours per week grading or tutoring as part of my graduate assistantship duties. In fact, I basically consider my assistantship a full-time job, since my program strictly prohibits students from getting an outside job, even part-time.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Despite the intense work requirements, my statistics program has afforded me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world with various educational backgrounds, like medicine and finance. I have developed close relationships with the other students and am good friends with many of them. So, in that way, graduate school has actually enhanced my personal life.

However, the demanding workload is definitely stressful. I did not expect graduate school to be so hard nor did I realize how much work was involved in being a graduate assistant. Due to my tremendous workload, I have little free time. Late nights are typical. I often stay up until 2:30 a.m. finishing classwork or grading.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I might be in several different positions. I hope to be teaching advanced placement math or statistics courses at the high school level, teaching at the college level or doing consulting work for businesses.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters in statistics?

I would tell a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in statistics to find an internship if they can. From what I have heard, most students who complete internships get hired after they graduate. Many students often go on to work in the business field or for the government.

I would also remind students that they need to make sure they love the statistics field, otherwise there is no point in pursuing an advanced degree in statistics. They should want to enter a masters program to learn more about data analysis and examining correlations. Plus, having a passion for statistics helps students stay driven and organized during their studies.