BioStatKid

Undergrad Institution: Big State School (TOP 30 US news - Top 12 Statistics) Major(s): Double major, Statistics and Mathematics Minor(s): GPA: 3.9 Type of Student: International Asian Male GRE General Test: Only submitted to Rochester Q: 163 V: 154 W: 5.0 GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: M: n/a TOEFL Score: n/a Grad Institution: n/a Concentration: n/a GPA: n/a Programs Applying: Biostatistics and Operations Research Research Experience: 2.5 years of experience in multiple wet/ dry labs, but nothing impressive. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Phi Beta Kappa Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for some Mathematics courses Letters of Recommendation: One from the chair of the department and 2 from the professors that I take graduate courses with Math/Statistics Grades: Math courses: Calculus I - III (A), Discrete Math (A), Linear Algebra (A-), Non-linear dynamics (A), Fourrier Analysis (A), Advanced Calculus (B), Combinatorics (B-), Complex Analysis (A) Statisics courses (All A): Intro to Statistics, Intro to Biostatistics, Intro to Probability, Regression Analysis, Data Science, Stochastic Modelling (Undergrad), Intro to Optimizatiion (Undergrad), Mathematical Statistics, Machine Learning, Linear Programming (Graduate), Probability Theory / Measure Theory (Graduate), Stochastic Models in Operations Research (Graduate) Computer Science courses: Intro to Programming (A), Object-oriented Programming (B+), Data Structures and Algorithms (A), Files and Databases (A) Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Take most of the first year graduate coursework and did well. Have good relationship with my professors. I used to attend mediical school before transferring to the US for college, so I put a heavy emphasis on this to draw connection with my current plan to pursue biostatistics. My coursework is better alligned with OR, but I apply primarily to Biostatistics Program. I started off as pre-med until Junior year so most of my earlier research experience was medical-related. I also have taken a lot of biological / chesmitry courses due to this. Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome) PhD in Biostatistcs Michigan - Rejected - Accepted to MS/ PhD with no funding) JHU - Rejected Minnesota - Rejected - Accepted to MS Emory - Rejected - Accepted to MSPH Duke - Rejected - Accepted to MS with 20k scholarship Boston - Rejected - Accepted to MS Penn - Rejected - Accepted to MS UC Davis - Rejected UT MD Anderson - Rejected UT Houston - Accepted with no funding Brown - Interviewed - Waitlisted - Rejected Rochester - Interviewed - Waitlisted - Rejected Pittsburgh - Waitlisted - Accepted with fundiing PhD in Operations Research Columbia - Waitlisted - Accepted to MS Berkeley - Waitlisted - Accepted Georgia Tech - Accepted Other MS: Washington (Seattle) / Biostatistics - Accepted Harvard/ Biostatistics - Accepted CMU / Computational Biology - Rejected from PhD, Accepted to MS Georgia Tech/ Bioinformatics - Accepted It was a very tough cycle for me. I applied to a wide array of programs. I am content with the result and very much appreciated those schools that chose to put some stocks on me. GRE was a very bad experience for me (took it twice). Except for the writing section, I struggled to do well in the other two. I think I am just in general not good as standardized tests. Those schools that interviewed me actually dug really deep into my essay as they asked me a lot of question about it. Since I did not have a solid mathematics background due to my earlier pre-med background, I did work hard on the essay, and I am glad that these schools appreciate that. I also underestimated the increasing competitive nature of biostatistics program, especially for international students. If I have to do it all over again, I may focus to apply to more OR / Statistics programs. Most biostatistics programs favor candidate with a MS under his/ her belt. To other future applicants, please be kind to your self! It is really mentally-taxing, but you will be fine! Sometimes taking a small step back is a big investment in the futue, so do not lost hope on yourself!

This is insanely hard for me to finalize my decision as I see this as a long-term investment. I saw both pros / cons of the 3 programs. Honestly, I'm more inclined to attend UW / Michigan (since I prefer their curriculum design), but Duke has better weather / cheaper tuition. I kept pondering that I may miss out the chance to attend higher-ranked PhD programs if I turn down Michigan /UW (more theoretical, better track of placement for PhD, etc.).

Do you have any insights bout how well UW MS is regarded when re-applying for PhD?

Hi every one, May I ask for some advice regarding which program to choose amongst the three? Duke gave me a big package (20k / year) and realistically is the cheapest option, but I want to pursue a PhD afterward. Michigan has an internal track, while UW, which I got into the thesis track, is a top-tier department that is hard to turn down. I have a feeling that the culture at UW is pretty competitive. Also, its curriculum seems to be the most theoretical (and harder), and I wonder if that may help to boost my profile if I do well. Overall, my friends reside near Duke, and as an international student, this sense of community seems important. However, after realizing how competitive the PhD admission is for internatonal student, is it worth it for me to pursue a highly-ranked MS program to boost my chance? My research interest is loosely-defined right now, but leaning toward genomics / genetics / ML, which seems to be UW's strong suit.

Sadly also a no from me. I guess it takes longer for them this year . I hate this elongated session of stressful days.

I emailed the program coodinator last week. He said the result was expected to come out around 24-25th, so I assume that we will hear back from them later today.

Is there any one here who is familiar with the CMU's Computational biology program (MS)?

How did you make your decision? Are you happy with where you are right now?

Thank you for your response. I was accepted without any interview and have been sending emails to them to ask for more information about funding, but I keep receiving the same email. Hopefully there will be someone on this forum who has attended UT Houston that can chime in on this.

Hi every one, Last month, I was accepted to the MSCB program at CMU. I reached out to the program co-ordinator, and he said that we are not allowed to take courses from other departments, which is not as flexible as I thought the program would be. Can any one please tell me about the strength of this program? I plan on applying to PhD in either Comp Biol / Biostatistics after finishing the master, and I am not sure if having CMU on my resume would create a good leverage to achieve such goals. I also really appreciate it f someone can speak for the job prospects after finishing the program.

Hi every one, I have just received an offer from UT Houston with no information on funding. It seems that the students need to secure their own funding after accepting the offer. Since this is my only acceptance so far, can any one please share your thoughts about this program in terms of prestige? Is this program strong enough for someone wanting to move into academia later on? It is located at Houston amidst a big medical center, hence I think its focus will likely be on clinical trials. The big cohort and the vague funding situation concern me a bit.

Are you talking about UT Houston Biostatistics program?

Has any one else heard from Brown? I saw the acceptance on the survey site and I am very anxious.

From my research, at U Minnesota, u actually can just start straight with the 800 PhD theory sequence instead of the 500 one. Although Minnesota does not have a separte Mathematical Statistics track, I think that one can take the honor analysis version + the reccomended coursework at Minnesota for PhD prep @possumvibes. Minnesota has long known to be a reputated program in the realm of Biostatistics, and the cost is not too different in relations to Duke's, hence make the decision slightly harder haha. NC does have amazing weather if you do want to take that into consideration. Thank you @bayessays for your advice. I will be extra careful with your comment on Michigan since I do want something more certain - not a promise. I'm glad to hear that Duke's program has gained more reputation in recent years. I am currently residing in NC, and I do enjoy the state. Hence, if I do choose Duke, the transition will be easier. Both programs seem to be comparable with Duke seems to put a heavier emphasis on practical/ professional skills.

I'm also facing similar issues with Duke, Minnesota, and Michigan. I receive the same scholarship as you with Duke @possumvibes, which put Duke's tuition 3-4k below Minnesota's. Michigan told me they are in active consideration for RA-ship and may waive my tuition if it is granted. It is so difficult to find feedback for Duke's program since most of the posts are like 8-9 years ago when the program is new. I think it's not too new any more, but I still find it hard to look up for placement profiles of the alumni.