Fall 2019 Biostats PhD Applicant Review

[bcarmel]

Undergrad/grad Institution:  Vanderbilt
Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology

Minors: Scientific Computing, Chemistry, (maybe math, if I decide to take diff eq)
GPA: 3.8

Type of Student: Domestic Asian Male

Relevant Courses: 

Single variable calc 1 and 2 (5 on AP test), multivariable calc (A-), intro to stats and probability (A-), stats lab (A), biostats (A), genome science (A), thermodynamics (A-), calc-based physics lecture and lab (A), Data Science Methods for Smart Cities (A)

Courses in progress: Foundations in bioinformatics (grad course), linear alg, real analysis

GRE: Taking in a week, but I got 180 quantitative on all practice tests, 155-160 on verbal

 

Career goals: Leaning towards industry. Interested in bioinformatics, and I want to get a solid education in the statistical theory behind it

Programs Applying: 

Biostatistics PhD (only applying to MS programs if PhD apps don't work out)

Research Experience: 

• Two years worth of research at Vanderbilt (one project on RNAseq analysis, new lab focused on machine learning for genetics)
• One summer internship in industry focused on machine learning and medical imaging
• Just got back from 3 week Summer Institute in Statistical Genetics at UW. Mostly just attended lectures, but I luckily got to talk to the UW professors a little 

Recommendation Letters: 

 One from biostats prof, the other two from PIs from two diff labs, one of whom is a big name in evolutionary genomics

Coding Experience:

R, Python, Matlab

 

Applying to:

• University of Washington
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• UNC
• Yale
• UPenn
• MD Anderson
• Duke
• University of Pittsburgh
• Boston University
• University of Rochester

 

I know my math background is lacking, but I only recently became interested in biostats, and I'm trying to make it up by taking more math courses senior year. Any tips? Or schools you would add/remove from my list?

[Warelin]

32 minutes ago, bcarmel said:

GRE: Taking in a week, but I got 180 quantitative on all practice tests, 155-160 on verbal

Do you mean a 170? The GRE has a score range of 130-170 on the V and Q sections.

[cyberwulf]

I think you're in pretty good shape. Washington has been a really tough nut to crack recently, but I'd be surprised if you didn't get some decent results in the next tier of schools.

[bcarmel]

1 hour ago, Warelin said:

Do you mean a 170? The GRE has a score range of 130-170 on the V and Q sections.

Yes, 170. Thanks for the correction!

[bayessays]

I'd make sure to send in your updated transcripts once you've taken linear algebra/real analysis. Do well and I think you'll be in really good shape.