James_7

Any opinions on this? They told me I'd be a competitive candidate. My coworker says that their program would not have a good reputation and I'd probably only be able to get a job in Arizona or surrounding areas...

Would be nice but sadly I'd have to wait another year since they want several more pre-reqs than the other schools.

So here's my thing - was biostats-bound until a month ago I realized I want to try something outside of medical research, so I changed my mind to applied statistics (can always get into biostats if desired). Applied rather than pure because I am not interested in in-depth theoretical stats. I've worked in clinical trials for the past two years. My degree is in bio and I am generally not the strongest stats applicant. Still, I was told I sound like a "perfect applicant" by one program director/professor. So I know I have a shot, the question is which schools. I am not sure how to prioritize exactly, but since I'm guessing it's hard to get a job out of state, that I should try to go to a school in a state where I want to work. For that reason I'm thinking of crossing Michigan, Colorado State, and Ohio off my list. Next is not spending too much money for the degree, so I'm crossing off CA schools with their sky-high out of state tuition. So what I have left is Loyola (Chicago), and UT-San Antonio (would try to get a job in Austin after graduating). Any ideas or advice? I also crossed off NJ institute of tech because it seemed too biostats-oriented.

Not sure but just a quick FYI - Domestic vs international is asking whether or not you are a U.S. citizen. It is not referring to skin color. Just a piece of advice so you don't do or say something painfully ignorant that makes everyone around laugh at you inside.

Thanks for the input. Took the first linear algebra exam yesterday and pretty sure I aced it. Hopefully I'll get a 3.7+ in the class. I'll have two letters from professors of pediatric oncology. They will probably talk about how bright, dependable, likeable, detail oriented, passionate I am but will not be able to speak of anything quantitative related. Same goes for the letter from my boss (clinical research manager). I took a practice GRE without studying and got 154Q 158V. Fairly confident I can raise that to a 160+Q. What are considered mid-tier? I was thinking of applying to: Iowa Pittsburgh Boston UMN and Michigan (but I think these two are more on the upper end? maybe leave them out?) Buffalo Wisconsin if they figure out their stuff (program coordinator retired so they are confused and haven't told me anything) Any other suggestions?

A few people who are in programs right now say I have a decent chance, but the more I look around the more worried I get. Here's my profile: 26-year old clinical research coordinator at a hospital. I do regulatory work, help doctors interpret study protocols, and report data on patients who are on clinical trials for new cancer drugs. Undergrad: University of WA 2006-2010, BS Molecular biology 3.04 GPA Calc I/II = 3.0 Calc III = 2.7 Currently taking linear algebra, can't understand a word the teacher is saying so we'll see how that goes. GRE: Haven't taken but based on practice exams I hope for ~160Q / 160V What I've done since graduating in 2010: Worked in a government immunology lab for 8 months (which is when I realized I wanted a new career), taught English in Hong Kong for 4 months, took a certificate in clinical trials course at UW while being unemployed for 6 months. Then I got my current job, which I've been doing for 1.75 years now. My personal statement will basically say - I grew up on an orchard with no idea what I wanted to do. Thought I wanted to work in a lab, but realized (especially in Hong Kong) that I need to work with people. Clinical trials turned out to be really interesting and I love that you get to work on various projects with doctors and scientists, therefore biostats would be perfect since you get to work with them and really have an impact/be needed. My quantitave background is limited though and programming knowledge is zero. I'm considering waiting until next year so I can take a stats course or something.

Just curious, why do you want to move to the US?

Your GPA and GRE are right up there with the averages of people accepted, what are your worried about specifically?