2019 Biostatistics/statistics PhD application profile eveluation

[Biostats doer]

Greetings everyone! I am planning to apply for Biostatistics Ph.D./statistics master programs this fall.  I am humbly and sincerely asking for your gracious advice!

Below is my background:

Institution: Top UC's (Statistics program ranking: 31) 

Major:   Applied statistics (concentrating field:  mathematics) I know it is weird... My intention is to learn more math since I switch my major from applied mathematics. 

GPA: 3.5

 

Type of Student: International Asian Male
GRE General Test:  Not taking yet, will do soon

 

Programs Applying: Ph.D. in Biostatistics/Statistics

 

Research Experience:    1 year of RA in biostatistical research experience and currently working on Large-scale biostatistical data mining. 

Teaching Experience:     One-quarter of Learning assistant for calculus

 

Letters of Recommendation: One from my research advisors, two from my statistics professors

 

Relevant Courser Work:  (P means Pass, some are optional)
Math and Stat Courses:  Cal 1-4: All (A's) | Linear Algebra: (B) | Elementary Statistics: (A) | Intro to Abstract Math: (C+) (with 70% of the class below C- range) | Differential equations for: (P) |                  Real analysis_1: Pass | Real analysis_2: C | Regression analysis: B | Statistical Data Science: B+ (right after I switched to statistics from Applied math major, without any R experience beforehand, worked really hard) | Probability theory: (P) | Time series: (C-) (was taking 5 upper divs at one quarter, trying to allay from my tuition burden, trying to finish in 4 years, therefore admitted sacrifice) | Nonparametric statistics: (C) (medical condition) | Analysis of categorical data: (C+) (medical condition) | Analysis of Variance: (B+) (mental medical condition)| Mathematical statistics: (A-) (medical condition) | Euclidean Geometry: (B+) (still in love with proof writing, want to prove myself) | Applied statistics: (B+) | Advanced statistics undergraduate independent study: (P) | Programming and problem solving: (B) (C language)

 

Computing Skills: R (Proficient, but still learning and exploring), Matlab

 

Applying to:

• UC Berkeley-biostatistics (master)
• Stanford - statistics (master)
• UCR - statistics 
• UCSC -  statistics 
• SMU - biostatistics
• Duke - Biostatistics
• Columbia - Biostatistics
• University of Michigan - Biostatistics
• UIUC - statistics
• Notre Dame - Statistics
• University of Minnesota - Biostatistics
• CMU - statistics in  Public policy
• University of Pittsburg - biostatistics
• NCSU - statistics
• Uccon - biostatistics
• ISU - Statistics
• USC - Biostatistics
• UCLA - biostatistics
• Yale -  Biostatistics

I am pretty sure that I am not competitive enough since both my math/statistics class rarely curved (Statistics department is known for the epitome GPA deflation  )

I am preparing for the worst to come. 

Please enlight me and guide me through this, thanks!

Please be critical for my school selection!

[Biostat_Assistant_Prof]

Speaking particularly for biostats, unfortunately, I do not think your profile would be competitive at PhD programs at this point in time. Grade deflation/inflation arguments aside, you have very few A's and several C's in various undergraduate statistics and math courses - this would not give an admission committee much confidence you'd be able to handle the rigor of graduate level coursework. Applications for PhD programs have become very competitive and are filled with applicants with near perfect GPAs and some with publications. Unfortunately, your profile does not have anything substantial that makes up for sub-optimal grades and puts you add a large disadvantage.

If stats/biostats is truly what you want to pursue, my advice to you would be to enter an MS program (which you will have to pay for) and perform very well. Along with this, it would be helpful for you to develop good relationships with faculty that would write you strong letters of recommendation, and strengthen your research experience. 

If you want to try applying to PhD programs anyway, I would say: USC, UPitt, or SMU would be your best bets (Maybe UCONN, but I wasn't even aware they had a program). I think PhD applications to Columbia, NCSU, UCLA, Yale, Minnesota, Duke, and Michigan would simply waste your money. As for MS programs, I think you'd be wise to apply to several top places. Since you'll have to pay for it yourself, they're more likely to take a chance on you. Michigan is a large department and I'd bet you'd get accepted to their masters program, where if you performed well, may open some doors to PhD programs. 

[Biostats doer]

Thank you so much @Biostat_Assistant_Prof, 

I truly appreciate your valuable evaluation.   

Base on my profile, may I ask your opinion on what kind of biostatistics MS program will be a "safe" or "achievable" for me to pursue? Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[StatsG0d]

I think most people will agree there's no such thing as a "sure thing" when it comes to admissions. For biostats master's programs, I think you'd be competitive almost anywhere, as much of the applicant pool have taken the bare minimum when it comes to math, and you have a strong background (albeit some sub-par grades in those courses). I'd say you can attain some schools in the 1-10 range for master's programs. Maybe use half of your funds to apply to schools in 1-10 and other half 10-20.

[Biostats doer]

Thank you so much for your advice @footballman2399