jmillar

That might not be the case for grad students, but you'd need to ask others in that position. I got that impression from some of my undergrad classes at my previous institution, but we were treated very differently once we became Master's students.

At University of Michigan, this essay is also used for other fellowship consideration, such as the Rackham Merit Fellowship. For several students I've heard an ok essay didn't hurt them much, but a great one was instrumental in getting additional funding.

I don't think so. I only used 2.25 pages for mine so I could increase white space and easier skimming ability. If you were able to convey everything you felt you needed to, you should be fine.

I haven't really seen that. I've seen people putting down grants that they won but then had to decline. I think grants you are applying to would fit best in your SOP.

I uploaded my community college transcripts and was not disqualified.

For University of Michigan, the optional GRE just took place for this cycle. Basically, using the GRE as a predictor of success is weak, is biased against groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate school, and the cost is a large burden for some. Also, NIH T32 training grants, NIH individual fellowships, or the NSF GRFP fellowship no longer require it. Do can read more about the change here: https://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/sites/medicine.umich.edu.medschool/files/assets/PIBS_GRE_POLICY_2018.pdf

You have to specifically send one to SOPHAS.

I only did a MS in Statistics before going into a Bioinformatics PhD, which is why I don't comment much on PhD applications for Statistics. You have a great math background, but since your program is unranked, you might have luck if you start contacting potential advisors. I interviewed with many Bio/statisticians over Skype (that were affiliated with umbrella programs) and once I was able to explain what we had covered in my classes (as my program was unranked) and research, they were then much more eager to work with me. I ended up choosing an applied mathematician as we clicked so well. I would also echo @Stat PhD Now Postdoc in applying to the university you did your REU with. I did one of those and I was told they are often more competitive that graduate applications (though not always the case). Some programs also hold spots open for previous REU students if they did well in their program.

I was able to choose from a list. I was only required to send two reports to apply to Berkeley.

The option is available at University of Michigan, especially if you apply through PIBS.

You can find all the statistics about the programs here: https://tableau.dsc.umich.edu/t/UM-Public/views/RackhamDoctoralProgramStatistics/ProgramStatistics?:embed=y&:showAppBanner=false&:showShareOptions=true&:display_count=no&:showVizHome=no&FOSDParameter=All+Rackham The competitiveness is about the same, ~20% acceptance. MCDB is one of the choices under PIBS, so you can apply there and still end up in the MCDB department. The advantage with PIBS is your first year is payed for while you rotate. You can choose to rotate in 1 department, or a mixture of others.

They can possibly play a role if you are also applying for teaching assistantships. I helped TA a Calculus course in undergrad, and those letters played a big role in landing one of the 3 TA spots in my Statistics Masters program.

Michigan doesn't have a general "Biology" program for graduate school. Instead it's spread over 15 different departments/programs. Are you more interested in some of the more biomedical aspects? If so, I would apply through PIBS, which covers 14 of the programs. Otherwise, you could apply to Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. PIBS will likely give you the most flexibility, with over 500+ faculty you can rotate with.

Not very many people post here on this topic, or chancing. You will likely have much better feedback here: https://forums.studentdoctor.net/

There are other programs such as biomedical informatics and health informatics that might be more of what you're looking for. Many programs with the title bioinformatics can be a bit genome heavy. I would try contacting some of these PIs as well. I'm interested in a similar area to you, and my PI is in Mathematics, with an affiliation in bioinformatics. Wonderful programmer and helping me learn along the way.

I wouldn't say admission, but I received a few fee waivers from these events.

The percentiles change from year to year, but the average is around 150 for V and Q. It's a bit more bell shaped. Most try to shoot for above 150 for each, more quantitative programs try for above 160. Not sure if other countries accept it.

You might have more luck in the Math/Stats section as they cover biostatistics all the time.

What is your quant score?

For a my rotation lab I didn't end up joining, I dressed up a TB plush with a lab coat from Etsy, plus some fun things for it to hold.

At my current university, this is true. If you hold a fellowship, they cover the annual fees for healthcare. But we have really good healthcare, so very few copays and meds are not too expensive. At my last university, this wasn't the case. Once I got to my new university, I set up time to go to the office for students with disabilities, which has made the transition more smooth.

I was a McNair Scholar and I think it was mentioned in one of our seminars. Now whenever I go back to give a talk to them, I always mention Grad Cafe.

I'm rotation right now through the Microbiology & Immunology (combined) department at UMich. If you're looking for an umbrella program, they have PIBS, which allows you to rotate in 14 different departments to find your fit. It is also walkable/bikeable and not too hot. You can see current student statistics here (choose Microbiology & Immunology in the top Field of Study drop down menu): https://tableau.dsc.umich.edu/t/UM-Public/views/RackhamDoctoralProgramStatistics/ProgramStatistics?:embed=y&:showAppBanner=false&:showShareOptions=true&:display_count=no&:showVizHome=no&FOSDParameter=All+Rackham

It was around May 20th, for starting in September.

You can still be on an internal university fellowship and not have taxes withheld (happens where I go). This will depend on a number of things: What type of funding (fellowship, RA, TA), what allowances you claim on your W4, and the state taxes in your area (if you keep your residence in a previous state or switch to Tennessee). If you have specific fellowships, taxes won't be withheld for you, but often in those cases you won't have to pay FICA tax, which is close to 8%. Assuming you have no special circumstances, filing single, making less that $38,000 a year, your tax rate will be 12% (more complicated than this: if you go for simple standard deduction, everything after $12,000 is taxed, with the first extra $9,500 taxed at 10%). If you switch your residence to Tennessee, they don't have income taxes, so you wouldn't have to worry about that part.