Biostatistics v/s Statistics PhD

[geekstats]

I am an international student applying for PhD programs this year. I have taken Calculus, Linear Algebra ,Real Analysis and Computational Mathematics up to the undergrad level and don't have too many advanced math courses. Considering this, I know it would be better to aim for Biostats rather than Stats PhD programs. But I have also read several posts which mention that Biostats programs tend to not favor international students due to funding issues (NIH grants funding US citizens, etc.). Considering this, would it still be advisable to apply to Biostats over Stats ? I am mostly aiming for departments in the 20-40 range in US News.

I had my profile evaluated a while ago, if that helps .

Thanks !

[Stat Assistant Professor]

I'm not sure that this is universally the case. For example, at University of Florida Biostatistics, I would say that over 60% of the PhD students are international (last I checked). With papers and an MS from Duke, I think you can definitely get into a school like UFL Biostatistics or University of Pittsburgh Biostatistics and have a good shot at a place like UCLA Biostatistics, UT MD Anderson, or UPenn Perelman Biostatistics. The top-tier Biostat programs like JHU and UW may be very hard to crack (they also tend to be more theoretical/mathematical), but if you apply widely, I could see you getting in to a decent Biostat program.

[GoPackGo89]

I think UC San Diego biostat also has majority international student body if you were looking for more programs out of the top 30.

[hcms1]

22 hours ago, geekstats said:

I have taken Calculus, Linear Algebra ,Real Analysis and Computational Mathematics up to the undergrad level and don't have too many advanced math courses. Considering this, I know it would be better to aim for Biostats rather than Stats PhD programs.

I don't quite follow. Why would it be better to aim for biostatistics over statistics programs?

[bayessays]

48 minutes ago, hcms1 said:

I don't quite follow. Why would it be better to aim for biostatistics over statistics programs?

He (incorrectly) believes he does not have enough math courses for a statistics PhD. 

[hcms1]

3 hours ago, bayessays said:

He (incorrectly) believes he does not have enough math courses for a statistics PhD. 

I thought statistics and biostatistics have pretty much same math pre-requisites? I wasn't aware that biostatistics is considered "easier" or required less math and statistics coursework for admission.

[omicrontrabb]

17 minutes ago, hcms1 said:

I thought statistics and biostatistics have pretty much same math pre-requisites? I wasn't aware that biostatistics is considered "easier" or required less math and statistics coursework for admission.

They have the same prerequisites generally, but biostats programs tend to be more lenient. For example, top stats PhD programs basically require real analysis. However, you could probably be accepted into a very good biostat program without real analysis, if the rest of your application is strong.

[omicrontrabb]

Most biostats Phd programs don’t teach measure theory, while all stat ones do. Most biostatistics don’t spend their time proving theoretical properties of estimators, like asymptotic efficiency, while many statisticians do. So theoretical math is emphasized more for stats.  Biostats programs also seem to be a bit less competitive for admissions in general. Top biostat programs, like Michigan and Minnesota, admit around 25% of applicants, while comparable stat programs seem to have single digit acceptance rates.