statlover

Thanks for your advice. Since I do not have enough research experience, I will have to do my best on SOP to make it FLASH. (I will probably more focus it on area that I am interested in, which I am still looking for...) I also noticed that this is only part that will make me unique from other applicants. Does budget crisis in the UC system that bad? Thanks for the info.! I probably have to focus on college in East.

I really appreciate your critique on the course work. I believe my grade for major courses are fine enough; mostly filled up with A's. Some A-'s. One B+...Unfortunately, since Statistics program for Penn State is leaning toward applied area, there is not much theory classes to take... however, I can fit in one more real analysis course next semester, which I do not know if I do well.. Do you think more theoretical courses are helpful even if I decide not to go for PhD? I think SOP will be fine since I have half years to write up . The problem is about research experience. Offers are very limited to Undergraduate international student since most of research requires at least MS course work. Do you have any recommendations regarding doing research? (i.e. solo research, perhaps?) Again, thank you for your kind advice!!

Greeting to gradcafe! As I looked through the thread that has been posted relating MS Biostat, it was very interesting and I really want to hear about my chance to get into MS in Biostat. Before I want to hear from you, giving my information probably good idea to start I am (International student) currently junior at Penn State, double majoring in Actuarial Mathematics & Applied Statistics, plus Econ minor. At the end of this semester, I probably ends up with cumulative GPA of 3.72/4.00. (Math major GPA 3.78/4.00 Stat major GPA 3.85/4.00) And here is courses that I have been taken, and will be taken by graduation. Taken (Math) Calculus 1,2,3 (including Vector Calc) Matrices Differential Equation (Ordinary) Discrete Mathematics Real Analysis Linear Algebra Linear Programming (Stat) Probability theory Mathematical Statistics Stochastic Modeling Intermediate Applied Statistics Applied Regression analysis Applied Time Series analysis Intro SAS Intermediate SAS Advanced SAS Will be taken (Math) Game Theory Numerical Computations (Stat) Surveying Method Statistics Consulting Analysis of Variance and Design of Experiments (Graduate Course) Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials (Graduate Course) Regression Analysis and Modeling (Graduate Course) Design and Analysis of Experiments (Graduate Course) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Those plus, Not related courses (Financial Mathematics in actuarial science, Life contingency in actuarial science, (Intro & intermediate ) (Micro&Macro Econ), Mathematical Economics, Corporate Econ, Some biological science courses (not for bio major)) Internship in direct field (will work on drug discovery modelling in governent funded research facility) Various club activities (major related & religious ) Programming skills (C++, R, SAS, Minitab, Stata) Misc. Planning to take GRE this summer. Recommendation from internship (hopefully) & Stat professors SOP at my best..... As I desire, I really want to go to top school to learn more about Statistics. I wish I want to take more graduate courses because materials look soooooo interesting.. Therefore, I am aiming one of top five schools + some reputational schools. Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkely, UWashington, Yale in all Biostatistcs at this moment. Stat program in Penn State is also excellent, but I do not want to spend another 2 years in State College, PA.... (had too much fun ) Even though my GPA is not suitable for top schools, I want to appeal them by showing how much I love Stat and various course selection. So........... How do you see my chance on schools that I want to go? plus any suggestions? (btw, I am planning to go Phd sometime in my life..) Please,, I know most of member does not reply to noob, but I really need your advice and option on this matter.... (Of course, I will help prospectives after I get in Grad school ) I appreciate your time for reading this long & long my post. I will look forward hear from specialist, who is you! Thanks! have a wonderful day.