ElementY

@bayessays: why do you think Virginia Tech is unreachable? Is their program particularly selective? @cyberwulf: The reason I included schools that didn't necessarily have biostat departments is mainly due to the fact that I'm not sure of my chances of getting into a PhD program given my academic background. Maybe I should have been a bit clearer, some of the schools mentioned (NC State, Penn State), I was trying to get a feel if I would be competitive for perhaps a Master's, and then apply to biostat PhD programs from there. So, my rather unremarkable quant GRE score wouldn't really be a hindrance to my application? I'm doing my best to raise my overall GPA as much as I can. Thank you both so much!

My intention is to apply to a PhD program in biostatistics and (hopefully) I'll get in. However, my academic record stands a bit in my way. I had a rough time my first two years, dealing with a whole bunch of emotional turmoil as well as a major that I didn't like at all. I decided at the end of my second year in college to switch, and had a huge improvement in grades (as in from Cs to As). Since then, my interest in statistics has exponentially grown. Currently, I'm interested in biostatistics, and a little bit of machine learning. I haven't taken a course in it quite yet, but that's the plan for next semester. Overall GPA: 3.2 Statistics major GPA: 3.86 School: Top 25 university (a public one) Major: BA in Statistics, Spanish GRE: 162V, 161Q (My question...if I'm looking at schools that are not necessarily top tier, how important is it to raise my quant score?) Classes: Multivariable calculus: A Probability: A- Linear algebra: A- Linear models: A Intro to math stat: A Currently in: time series, a Python course, an R course, and a SAS course (anticipate As in all courses) Experience: Almost no research experience, but have discussed extensively with my advisor about possible independent study options LoR: Decent recommendation from the department head; decent recommendation from a relatively young professor; excellent rec from former internship boss (a sociology professor specializing in survey research); and possibly a decent recommendation from another relatively young professor My current list of schools that I'm interested in: NC State, Ohio State, Penn State (reach, maybe?), Texas A&M, Virginia Tech (the faculty seem really qualified), and (if I'm really reaching) Johns Hopkins. How impossible (or possible) would it be for me to be accepted to these schools? Any other schools I should be looking at? Also, considering my situation, would it be better to apply for Master's programs first even though PhD is my end goal, and then see about PhD programs? Understandably, my application would not be the strongest. Thank you much!