statguy27

thank you all, this is very helpful advice. the brand name is really attractive, but i hear you that it's pretty much the same level of education. appreciate this community for keeping me in check! cheers

Gotcha... I mean I guess what I'm getting at is does anybody think the $50K in loan is worth the Harvard brand name? Forget UW. I am going straight to industry afterwards and I feel like that name could pull its weight and make up for it. Also, won't it be easier to transfer into their PhD program afterwards? For me, I view this investment as an alternative path to getting in rather than going through apps again and the brutal process of statistics/biostatistics applications. Average performance at UM could inhibit entrance to H/UW/JH down the road as it's obviously hyper competitive.

Hi all - I'm looking for advice on potential landing spots for biostats master's programs, having been accepted to Harvard, UW, and UM. Harvard and UW are not funded and are for the 80 credit and thesis track, respectively. The UM master is funded with an RA or TA. I would like to continue for a PhD afterwards and am undecided among industry or academia. I was hoping this community may have thoughts on the above options? Really want to be in a program that takes care of its master's students and seriously considers them for the PhD. I also do not want to be in a program that's overly theoretical and has crazy quals. For further context, I can pay for about a year of Harvard or UW, but would be ~$50-80K in the hole after that (depending on second year RAships). Would love any thoughts if you have them, thanks!