math_n_stat

This is great feedback. The statistics courses weren't for teachers, it was just at Teachers College at Columbia. The title of that particular school makes it sound like a school for students who want to become teachers, but that is not the case - I had my statistics courses with people getting MAs in Applied Statistics. So, that part you are right about - it was mostly application, extremely little theory. I am glad you and @Geococcyx seem to be on a similar page about the value of a real analysis course. That makes me feel much better actually. I would rather finish this semester (Calc III and Linear Algebra, both of which I anticipate getting As in) and then take real analysis and improve my GRE scores rather than pay a lot for a MS. I also have two pending publications, so if those work out I will have a total of 5 publications (first author on one) by next application cycle. I hope the updated coursework, improved GREs, and additional publications will be enough for them to accept my clinical psych and applied stat background!

Thanks for the feedback! Do you yourself have a masters level degree in biostatistics? I interviewed for NYU's biostatistics PhD program this cycle and every other candidate there had a MS in biostatistics, statistics, or applied math. That says something about the candidates they are looking for. Yes, I'm least worried about improving on the GRE. I thought my publications and research experience would make the 157s less of an issue, but I am now convinced that top programs are going to want to see scores in the 160s. Your confusion about my math background is warranted, haha. I DID take statistics courses with basically no math foundation! I took the statistics courses at Teachers College - Columbia University in their Measurement and Evaluation department, so perhaps I got away with this because they aren't a pure statistics department. I did very well despite the lack of math background, however, I know similar statistical courses in a biostatistics program will be more mathematically rigorous. Now, I have taken Algebra & Trigonometry, Calculus I and II, and am currently enrolled in Calculus III and Linear Algebra. These are the minimum requirements to apply to biostatistics PhD programs it seems. Taking the math classes has been fine and even enjoyable, but it's not what I ultimately want to do and I am eager to be taking biostatistics courses. I wish I knew how important real analysis will even be as a biostatistician (how much will I use it?). If Columbia is letting me into their biostatistics MS (which consists of the same classes a PhD student of theirs would take!!) without this course, that suggests to me that real analysis is not completely necessary (but I could be wrong!).

Hi all, I'm opening up this thread for those who, like me, didn't get into a biostatistics PhD program and are wondering what to focus on between now and next cycle to increase the likelihood of getting accepted. Obviously, we know that factors like undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, research experience, etc. are considered when an applicant's application is reviewed, but maybe some of us are unsure of which to prioritize. For me, I have a masters degree in clinical psychology with a concentration in research methods / statistics (statistical coursework from probability and statistical inference to multilevel modeling). Over the past year and a half, I have been completing mathematics prerequisites that were required by biostatistics PhD programs, but I think having Calculus III and Linear Algebra PENDING at the time of application played a significant role in this being an unsuccessful application cycle for me. Note: by May 2019 I will have finished through Linear Algebra and anticipate a 3.95 GPA in my math prereqs. I was offered admission to the MS in biostatistics at Columbia and MA in biostatistics at Boston University. I am wondering: Is it going to be impossible to get into a biostatistics PhD program without a biostatistics masters degree? I have an exceptional amount of research experience and publications, so it seems that I have three options: 1) Bite the bullet and get a second masters degree (most if not all credits will transfer to a PhD program and I might be able to get my current job to pay for some of this MS degree) 2) Save A LOT of money by foregoing the biostats MS and just get higher GRE scores (I had 157 in both V and Q) 3) Continue taking math coursework to demonstrate math ability (maybe completing coursework just through Linear Algebra is not impressive enough) Would so greatly appreciate any advice (option 1, 2, 3, or some combination of them?).

I checked my application status page and it had an update; a rejection. Beat their email to check for this update, which I am sure I will receive soon.

Hi Renalee - which concentration did you interview for? I also saw that biostatistics and epi offers went out last Friday. I wonder if they send ALL offers for one concentration in one wave or if they might have a second wave of offers based on how many people from the first wave accept.