[uva3021]

I have my undergraduate in sports marketing from University of Memphis with a ~3.25 GPA, but over the last year I have really become deeply involved in building a variety of models for different sports, to some moderate success. Through my own efforts, study, book reading, experimenting, I'm pretty familiar with some of the essential concepts that make up the entire enterprise. Like descriptive statistics, Distribution models, Regression analysis, correlations, probability measures, among some other things.

But I'm still only 25 and I feel its not too late to go back to school and get a M.S., maybe with a minor in Computer Science (i've become assimilated into the world of PHP/SQL as well as having a basic understanding of VB and JAVA). Perhaps even work towards a Ph.D

All of this of course a way to ultimately cultivate my sports betting skills, but based on some of the information and posters here at SBR, many people that thrive in betting on sports, with understanding the market and all its imminent variables, have some background in the field of computational mathematics.

I've looked into a few schools, Colorado State, Northern Colorado (which I have solid connections with), Auburn, maybe American, not sure, would like some advice from people who actually have a Statistics centered degree, or one of relevance.

Location/Money shouldn't be a problem, aid is always available, and perhaps I can get a stipend of some sort.

[Wrecktangle]

Unfortunately, in my line of work a PhD seems to be a detriment. I've known about 10 folks with PhDs that were worth a damn. They were always smarter than everyone else, and typically let everyone know it and were always writing white papers to be presented rather than the work our group was into. When offered a new person for our team, unless I knew more about a person, I declined to take them if all I knew was they had the higher degree.

One of them had a sign he put up in his puka: "Get a PhD, it sure beats working." I'm sure it referred to teaching at University, but the attitude certainly colored his work.

On the Q: if all you want is training for Sports forecasting, you can get the basic stat/math knowledge at most any school. Then you must strike off on your own and be prepared to unlearn a few notions the classical statisticians want you to eat. That said, the Data Mining arena might be a better fit; less dogma and more "lets see where the data takes us" type of attitude.

[mihaita666]

I would be excited to find such a phd (cuurently study physics in romania) so if you find anything, let me know.

[xyz]

Actually I think he means the process of getting a PhD beats working. Most PhD programs offer a stipend around $25k a year and free tuition. It is not alot of money, but enough to get by.

One of them had a sign he put up in his puka: "Get a PhD, it sure beats working." I'm sure it referred to teaching at University, but the attitude certainly colored his work.

[Saab]

learning the computer science stuff is good and all, but id concentrate on the stats. you can always find someone like myself to automate your models for you....

[uva3021]

i have basically the fundamentals in place to automate a model, honestly I just love school and was hoping someone could give me a sense of direction, rather than me just closing my eyes and pointing like I did before, which worked out OK. But again I want some a sense of definite closure almost, because I've come to the resolve that Statistics/Operations Research/Quantitative Epideimiology (which is somewhat idealistic and outside the field but nonetheless somewhat useful and very interesting) is what I want to do

[noober]

Duke University pays you everything if you are doing Ph.D in statistics.

[Maverick22]

Not that you asked... But i've never been a fan much of 'organized education'.

I think back to topics I wanted to learn, and in time did (on my own). well...learning them in an instructor-led class would have taken possibly a semesters worth of time, and hoping that a given class has no prerequisites... You are learning at the pace of the class, and if you decide to go off on your and learn ahead of the class...What was the point in even taking the course?

I am totally a fan of independent learning...

If you want the paper that says you can do statistics...then go to school...
if you want to learn statistics and apply the learnings to your sports betting ideas... buy some books, google your ass off. And work hard towards learning what you need?

I just dont see the value in going (back) to school for it...Unless you plan to get a job for it...

I'll go back to school for aeronautics, anything automotive, and like metal/woodwork...but i wont for stats, electrical engineering, or computer engineering...

I've got a BS in CS, and i'm happy for it... but will likely NEVER go back for a masters... I dont see a point...

Just my two cents...for whatever it's worth.

[noober]

Not that you asked... But i've never been a fan much of 'organized education'.

I think back to topics I wanted to learn, and in time did (on my own). well...learning them in an instructor-led class would have taken possibly a semesters worth of time, and hoping that a given class has no prerequisites... You are learning at the pace of the class, and if you decide to go off on your and learn ahead of the class...What was the point in even taking the course?

I am totally a fan of independent learning...

If you want the paper that says you can do statistics...then go to school...
if you want to learn statistics and apply the learnings to your sports betting ideas... buy some books, google your ass off. And work hard towards learning what you need?

I just dont see the value in going (back) to school for it...Unless you plan to get a job for it...

I'll go back to school for aeronautics, anything automotive, and like metal/woodwork...but i wont for stats, electrical engineering, or computer engineering...

I've got a BS in CS, and i'm happy for it... but will likely NEVER go back for a masters... I dont see a point...

Just my two cents...for whatever it's worth.

Agree with you. Go to school only if you need the diploma. Knowledge is easier (and cheaper) obtained by yourself.

[Dark Horse]

But I'm still only 25 and I feel its not too late to go back to school and get a M.S., maybe with a minor in Computer Science (i've become assimilated into the world of PHP/SQL as well as having a basic understanding of VB and JAVA). Perhaps even work towards a Ph.D

25 is not that young anymore. I don't know you, of course, but could you fit the mold of those who'd rather stay in the safe school environment than dive into the unprotected life after school?

If your goal is to be a sports bettor, jump.

[romanowski]

Masters is Financial Engineering, sometimes called Financial Math at certain schools gives you a good spread of

Stats, and Computer programmings

[curious]

...but over the last year I have really become deeply involved in building a variety of models for different sports, to some moderate success. Through my own efforts, study, book reading, experimenting, I'm pretty familiar with some of the essential concepts that make up the entire enterprise. Like descriptive statistics, Distribution models, Regression analysis, correlations, probability measures, among some other things.
...

I've looked into a few schools, Colorado State, Northern Colorado (which I have solid connections with), Auburn, maybe American, not sure, would like some advice from people who actually have a Statistics centered degree, or one of relevance.

You cannot get the education you need in school. The skills needed cover too wide an area and colleges won't let you study across such a diverse set of subjects, they will force you into a box.

I don't have a formal education, the whole concept is just bizarre. It isn't education. It is vaccination. See, you "take" a subject, then once you have "taken" it, you don't have to "Take" it again. Kind of like being vaccinated against a disease.

The best way to learn is to tackle a project that you really care about, and as you encounter things you need to know how to do, dive into the best books you can find on the subject and apply it to the project. You will learn at a much faster rate that way.

Building predictive models is part statistics/probability, part artificial intelligence, part pattern analysis, part physics, part financial engineering, and a smattering of other things.

The computer skills you can pick up better on your own than in a college. Lots of places teach computer programming to adults at prices much cheaper than college. or, you can enroll in a class or two at your local community college. Tech colleges are better at teaching hands on computer skills than universities anyway. But, learning a programming language isn't that difficult. You can get some books and teach yourself. You are better off learning a scripting language first, or Visual Basic. I like Visual Basic because it is the macro language for Excel. You can do a lot of advanced stats programming in Excel if you know VB.

The most important part of building prediction models for sports is knowing what is important and you can't learn that in books. By "what is important" I mean knowing which stats have predictive power. There are such a huge number of stats for baseball and most of them have no predictive power.

I also found for baseball, simple models work better than complex models. I think the most important factor in the modern game is the home plate umpire, followed by starting pitcher, then park factors, then wind/humidity (depending on the park, for some parks weather is irrelevent), followed by that starting pitcher's stats pitching in that park.

If you really are insistent on getting a Master's Degree I would get it in artificial intelligence or pattern recognition (artificial intelligence includes pattern recognition to some degree). University of Illinois has a great program.

There is a great book called "College on Your Own" which has recommendations for the best textbooks on the market for all the main subject areas. I would buy that book and then buy the books that it recommends for mathematics, statistics, etc.

Oh, one last thought, the best predictive modelers are always physicists. I have no idea why. The best computer people are also physicists. So, maybe a degree in physics is the best?

[uva3021]

25 is not that young anymore. I don't know you, of course, but could you fit the mold of those who'd rather stay in the safe school environment than dive into the unprotected life after school?

If your goal is to be a sports bettor, jump.

well I've been out of school for about a year and a half now, worked for the LPGA for 4 months, they had massive turnover and were cutting entire divisions, and then moved to Korea due to lack of career

my contract here in Korea runs out in a few months, and I'm debating staying here (its nice to have access to Pinny, Moneybookers, etc...) or moving back home and try to find something

its nice to learn things on your own, I read all the time and have learned everything about computer programming and descriptive statistics by reading and using google, but it has to lead to somewhere, like a career, and that's where a Master's Degree has its advantages. Otherwise I won't find a good career, and will have to settle for something small town and menial.

Like I said, I want to cultivate my understanding of the betting market, because that's what I like to do, but not to extent where I'm a professional, but almost like an ancillary source of income. Don't nearly have the bankroll or talent to do be a professional, perhaps down the road when I'm 50 or so lol.

[LLXC]

For a PhD to stand out, go to one of the big power house math schools if possible...

[Wrecktangle]

Not that you asked... But i've never been a fan much of 'organized education'.

I think back to topics I wanted to learn, and in time did (on my own). well...learning them in an instructor-led class would have taken possibly a semesters worth of time, and hoping that a given class has no prerequisites... You are learning at the pace of the class, and if you decide to go off on your and learn ahead of the class...What was the point in even taking the course?

I am totally a fan of independent learning...

If you want the paper that says you can do statistics...then go to school...
if you want to learn statistics and apply the learnings to your sports betting ideas... buy some books, google your ass off. And work hard towards learning what you need?

I just dont see the value in going (back) to school for it...Unless you plan to get a job for it...

I'll go back to school for aeronautics, anything automotive, and like metal/woodwork...but i wont for stats, electrical engineering, or computer engineering...

I've got a BS in CS, and i'm happy for it... but will likely NEVER go back for a masters... I dont see a point...

Just my two cents...for whatever it's worth.

Pretty decent observations for a dishwasher, Mav. Maybe you ought to shoot for busboy now? Maybe even go for a waiter job?

[FreeFall]

Unless you enjoy sovling or attempting to solve theories based on this subject I'd say your wasting your time and money. If you are just trying to figure out ways to create +eV positions in the sports market you can teach yourself and save A LOT A LOT ALOT of money that you can then use for capital.

Man that wording looks bad. You can teach yourself enough without having to go through 6-7 years of an edu to do so.

[RawBillyIce]

25 is not too young to go back to school

Im 40 and have went back and don't even have my undergratuate degree yet. I am majoring to get a Bachelors in Science Applied Mathematics and am not thrilled about Calculus but loved Statistics. I also had a great teacher in Stat class, so made it more enjoyable.

Now let me chime in here: If you are interested in putting math and math models up against lines and trying to either gamble for a livng or work at a sportsbook or gaming company or the like... getting a Masters in Statistics IMO would be your best bet. Stat and Probability is key. Don't talk it, do it and you will be sought out by the world. Also, Actuary deals almost exclusively with Statistics and Prob and they get paid very well if you can pass the Exams. You could then work for Insurance companies in Risk Management,etc.

Seriously, you couild always do this on side and work as Actuary or in the Tech field. I think getting all the practical Computer Knoledge you can would help too.

A Masters in Computer Science and a PHD in Mathematics would be the shit!!! Or Masters in Physics and PHD in Mathematics you would be worth $ to the world.

Good Luck!

[Bigbill365]

Go to Brown university

[Degenregen]

Comp Sci classes are useless aside from the minor, you will just get assignments and you will either float/swim on your own.

[Juret]

India for math

[RawBillyIce]

Online Universities just fine. Math is 90%+ textbook

U could save $ and embark on a SS plan. Takes huge self discipline though. Anything u can learn college u can learn via YouTube

[BuddyBear]

Actually I think he means the process of getting a PhD beats working. Most PhD programs offer a stipend around $25k a year and free tuition. It is not alot of money, but enough to get by.

Try 10-12K if you are lucky. You will be overworked no matter what if you get funding. Best if you can get a fellowship.

[BuddyBear]

Online Universities just fine. Math is 90%+ textbook

U could save $ and embark on a SS plan. Takes huge self discipline though. Anything u can learn college u can learn via YouTube

Only if you want your degree to have absolutely no meaning.

Any of those schools you see on ESPN sportsticker on a college football saturday or college basketball saturday are fine. Avoid community and junior colleges and online colleges as well.

[RawBillyIce]

I disagree we live in an information society. All that matters is you understand the material. like I said math is 95% textbook so it is a great subject for online study. Phonix and Strayer I agree stay away.

Check out University of Illionois they are one of the few that have a mathematics program online and my proffessor checked it out too and said the criteria is very tough translaton = quality education

[BuddyBear]

It's fine if you get a degree from U of I through an online program b/c the degree will say University of Illinois. But DO NOT get a degree from just an online only school (e.g. university of phoenix, Globe university, Devry university, etc...). Those are the worst schools in the world.

[Waterstpub87]

It's fine if you get a degree from U of I through an online program b/c the degree will say University of Illinois. But DO NOT get a degree from just an online only school (e.g. university of phoenix, Globe university, Devry university, etc...). Those are the worst schools in the world.

I always wondered if you got an online degree from say U of Wash, but you were living in VA. If you went on interviews, would they figure out it was an online degree and hold it against you.

[BuddyBear]

I always wondered if you got an online degree from say U of Wash, but you were living in VA. If you went on interviews, would they figure out it was an online degree and hold it against you.

I think it is just a regular degree. I have a friend who got a degree from LSU who never even set foot in the state of Louisiana.