ScoughS

Hi everyone, So I was wondering how competitive is a masters program in Biostatistics and Statistics at the top schools? I.E. I would love to get into the Statistics ms program at U.Chicago because I am really interested in the statistical genetic research being done there. I would in reality love to go to a Ph.D program but I do not believe I have a strong theoretical background in mathematics that top Ph.D programs look for (I come from a applied stats department where my only theoretical courses were Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, and Math Stats), and I have a weak overall gpa(3.4) due to badish grades in non-related courses(chemistry 2, orgo 2, and biochem). I do have a strong research background where my work for a class has been presented at a conference, I have personally presented twice at my schools research symposium, at the end of this semester I will have published 2 papers involving statistical applications on genetic sequencing data from my lab, and at the end of the spring my researches Ph.D student in Genetics will be publishing his thesis, and I will be mentioned(potentially coauthor if it is allowed). I have 3 strong letters, it is just my grades that is a downside of my application. My gre is a little late as it is on Sunday (I couldn't have taken it earlier due to scheduling problems), but my practice gre scores from Kaplan, and powerprep are good. My quant and writing are above 165 and 5 respectively, it is just my verbal that ranges from 159 to 165. Is U.Chicago masters a realistic school to apply for or should I consider weaker schools? Also since my ultimate goal is a Ph.D in biostats from a top 10 Biostatistics program would a lesser name school be bad for a masters? Thanks, ScS

+I recently switched from a MD track to a PhD track after realizing I enjoy statistics and research more. Undergrad Institution: Liberal Arts School in US(ranked in the 90's by FORBES National Colleges Rankings) Major: Statistics and Bioinformatics GPA: 3.354; 3.65 Stats, 3.56 Bioinformatics Type of Student: Domestic Asian Male Courses/ Background: AP Calc BC: 5, Calc III (A-), Biostats 1 (B+), Biostats 2 (A-), Quant Bioinformatics (A-), Differential Equations (A), Linear Algebra (B), SAS programming (A-), Nonparametric Statistics(B+), Number Theory (B+), Introduction to Math Stats(Probability):( A-), Obj Oriented Programming: (A), Discrete Structures: (A), Bioinformatics: (A), Comp Bio: (A) In progress: Statistical Capstone, Predictive Analytics/Machine Learning Planning to take: Math Stats GRE scores:Taking Next Week (Ive scored a 167 on quant, a 5.5 on written, and a 160 on verbal at a practice test without any studying) MCAT(not that it matters or not): 520(Top 98%) Research Experience: 1 semester working with UChicago professor on applying statistical genetic framework to public data using R and Python, this was presented at Great Lakes Conference. Statistical Genetics research with a lab since Spring 2014 where I have completed multiple projects. I am being published at the end of this semester, and will be mentioned in my researchers grad students thesis which will be written in the Spring Other related experience: Very application based programs in Bioinformatics and Stats where I have done programming in R, Python, SAS, C++, Perl, SQL, and Java, Wet lab experience Honors/Awards: University honors program, dean's list for 2 semester Letters of Recommendation: -Research PI -Research PI from my 1 semester project -Stats/Biostats professor who I know really well I am pretty sure my application is not that strong due to my grades. I have been dealing with familial issues(a very sick mother) as well as overloading every one of my semesters with atleast 18 credits so I have 2 semesters where my grades have been bad(in all subjects but Math/Stat/Comp Sci). Most of my bad grades come from Chemistry(A D in biochem, but B+ in retake). So my questions are: 1. Should I consider for a masters program instead of a PhD then move onto one 2. Go for 15-25 ranked school for PhD 3. Work a year for experience, take GRE Math subject then apply? What schools/Programs should I look into as reach, and safety for masters and PhD?