ashramsoji

Hi everyone, I've recently applied to 3 MS Statistics programs and one of the things I am wondering is how transferable a MS Stats might be to biostat jobs. I'm not sure how interested I am in Biostats but it does seem like a growing field and one where one can make a meaningful impact to the world (as opposed to just crunching numbers for some consulting gig.....nothing wrong with that tho). I plan on taking courses in it in my MS program to see if Biostats might really interest me. I guess what I am wondering is, do biostat jobs only look for people with biostat/biomed degrees? Is there a salary "ceiling" if you don't have a PhD? Since I don't have experience doing biostat work (but plenty of it in polling research), would I be required to "restart" my career and have to take an low paying job?

Thanks for posting the requirements, some of the stuff they have there like Stochastic Processes and Database systems do sound helpful from a professional perspective. It seems like a very career-oriented degree and that might explain its brevity. Here is my take: I don't think you'd be shorting yourself of the skills you need, but I think you might have a hard time getting employers to recognize that. I'm at a managerial level at my company where I do hiring/interviews, and I can tell you that new programs or those who don't have something of a history get weighted down, particularly so if they seem like they were created because of current trends. I'm not saying that's generalizable, but if you got into Duke and UNC I'd wonder what about UVA is attracting you to it. Are neither the Duke or UNC programs part-time?

What exactly does data science entail? What courses are they offering or making you take? These are questions I'd want to answer in figuring this out (I'd be interested in knowing too!)

Thanks for your feedback. Just out of curiosity, where did you get all your info? Just wondering if it's someplace where I can research as well. All the programs are pretty comparable in terms of cost, unless MD's but you have to be a MD resident. The UMD program I believe is a daytime program which would conflict with my ability to work full-time while pursuing (going part-time is not really an option). I'm not really sure I'll get into that one given how competitive I've heard it is: their admissions office told me the applicants typically score in the 95thile of the GRE and the 90thile of the Math subject test. There is a chance I would pursue a PhD but I think it's remote given that I would have to leave the workforce (right? don't see any way around this). I think that if I did it would be in Statistics, probably something with a focus on automation, machine learning, or high-dimensional Baysean inference (I think....) Any thoughts on how well or poorly prepared it'd be for that? My undergrad major was Economics so I'm not going "fresh" into any of this stuff, though I only studied basic calculus in college (taking linear algebra and Multivariable calculus now). I think what I would like to do is remain at my job/find a new one while pursuing the degree and then use the degree to move into a bigger position. I'm particular, I'm interested in perhaps doing stuff related to big data, financial analyses, and intelligence. I think it'd be neat to work for the CIA or FBI or NSA in trying to fight terrorism or human trafficking with data analysis. GW also seems to be the only ranked in STATS (35th or something), so I wonder how that fits in. I have a call set up with one of their professors next week so maybe that'll shed some light. What is interesting is that their program doesn't have requirements other than 2 courses, so you pick your own curriculum. I found that a little odd -- just seems like they don't care about the MS students much? One last thing I wanted to ask is that I've heard that both UMD and GW have MS programs basically as consolation prizes for the PhD students who cannot make it through. Any truth to that rumor?

Hi everyone! First post here.......I just completed my applications to GW, Georgetown, and UMD (College Park). I applied for their MS program which I will be pursuing part-time. I haven't heard from any of them yet but I'm trying to figure out which one might be the best match for me. I'm a GTOWN graduate (undergrad) so I'm familiar with the school, and the program seems more professionally oriented which I like. GW is nationally ranked and I have read that UMD's program is really good. I've also read that GW and UMD's program are pure mathematics and little application. Just wondering what anyone knows about these and how they stack in relation to each other.