Low grades in related subject for biostat PhD applications

[kingsdead]

Question about applications. I have received mediocre CS grades (A-, B-, A- in intro programming, data structures, and theory of computation respectively) and am wondering how much it would hurt my application for biostatistics PhD programs.

For what it's worth, I have a solid math background, along with strong GRE and GRE subject test scores, and since graduating I worked as a data analyst for research where I did work with R, Python, and SQL, and my PI said they would love to write a rec letter saying that I am able to program just fine. 

Edited October 28, 2018 by kingsdead

[theduckster]

I am not sure how CS grades are perceived for biostat but the fact that you have industry software experience should more than make up for that, especially if you pair it with a solid letter of recommendation from your employer.

Plus, one B- in a non-statistics related course is nowhere near the end of the world.

Edited October 28, 2018 by theduckster

[cyberwulf]

Yeah, that doesn’t seem like a big deal.