Howdy,
I am a rising senior and am planning to apply for PhD and masters programs in Biostatistics for Fall 2021. However, I currently do not know where I stand and whether the schools/programs I have chosen are realistic. I would love to go straight into a PhD program, but I am unsure of if this is feasible and would love feedback!
Undergraduate Institution: Top 60 LACs
Majors: Biomathematics
Minor: Urban and Community Health, Music
GPA: 3.80/4.0
Major GPA: 3.76/4.0
Type of Student: Domestic White Male
Courses taken:
Math: Math Modeling w/ Biological Applications (A), Differential Equations (A-), Mathematical Modeling (A), Calculus III (B), Linear Algebra (A-), Agent-Based Modeling (B+)
CS: Programming Fundamentals (A)
Stats: Applied Statistics (A), Applied Regression (A), Biostatistics (A)
Science: Biology I (B), Biology II (B+), Conservation Biology (A), Evolution (A)
GRE General Test: 321/340 (V:160, Q:161, W:4.5)
Research Experience:
Spring 2018 - Spring 2019: Ornithology Research (including Summer Fellowship), presented at three conferences
Spring 2018 - Present: Biomathematics Research on Florida Plant Species (including Summer Fellowship), presented at two conferences, published a paper
Fall 2018 - Summer 2019: Frog Research at local zoo, volunteer research assistantship
Summer 2019 - Present: Biostatistics Internship at local Health Science Center (includes both Summers)
Summer 2019 - Present: Plant Distribution Research, presented at one conference
Fall 2019 - Present: Data Analysis for Art History Professor, research assistantship
Spring 2020 - Present: Agent-Based Modeling for Florida Plant Species
Spring 2020 - Present: Economic Simulations Research
I hope to have two more papers published by the time I graduate, but they will not be ready in time to place on my application.
Working Experience:
Spring 2017 - Present: Teaching Assistant for Math Modeling w/ Biological Applications
Fall 2018 - Present: Teaching Assistant for Applied Calculus
I also tutor off-campus for middle school students and am a freelance musician.
Letters of Recommendation: One from biomathematics professor/research advisor, one from statistics professor/research advisor, one from an epidemiologist/internship advisor.
Currently considering schools:
Masters: University of Tennessee, University of North Carolina, and Vanderbilt University
PhD: University of Mississippi and Vanderbilt University
I would love feedback from you all and I greatly appreciate your help!!