BME/EE (image analysis) PhD 2020Fall Application

[ttshaneee]

Hi guys, new here and didn't see many posts about imaging informatics/radiomics (like applying Machine Learning and Deep Learning to biomedical images for automatic disease detection and uncovering biomarkers for elucidating pathologies).. So I wanna start this thread and seek some advice about my choice of programs (I know it's kind of late but I just know there is this gradcafe forum ?). Thanks guys!!!

Undergrad Institution: Top5 in China
Major: Chemistry (B.S.)
Overall GPA: 3.32 / 4.00

Grad Institution: Columbia Univ.
Major: Biomedical Engineering (M.S.)
Overall GPA: 4.0 / 4.0
Demographics/Background: International Student

GRE Scores: 321 (V152+Q169+3)
TOEFL Scores: 116 (But can be waived for most schools as having a MS in the US)

Research Experience: 
1. Undergrad Summer (2017):  2mo. Microscopic image deconvolution.
2. Undergrad internship at a start-up (2018): 5mo. Developed computer-aided system. Machine Learning in classification of low-grade glioma and prognosis prediction. structural MRI images.
3. Grad Summer (2019, starting from May): 2.5mo in the summer and still working on it. Deep Learning in age prediction. structural MRIs, functional MRIs.
4. Grad (now): Starting from Sep (around 2mo). Deep Learning in classification of schizophrenic patients. PI says I could have a first-author pub (but it by no means could be submitted before Jan or Feb 2020)
5*: Course Project: 2mo. This is not like a real research but a project for "deep learning" course. Electronic Microscopic image segmentation.

LOR: 1 instructor from Machine Learning course (I am the TA this semester and did a project for this course at that time) at grad school, received A. 1 from 3 above and 1from 4 above (should be both strong... not sure if very strong, but at least strong).

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations: Basically no (I don't think 4 above counts).

1. Have presented 1 above in a technology forum at undergrad school. During the this forum, have done poster and oral pre (got "excellent oral presentation" award) and my reports was collected in the proceedings of this forum (but this forum is a very very small one run by the Chemistry department... ?)
2. No pub. But I have written journal-style reports for almost every project that I have completed. I got a website and these reports and other info can be viewd on it.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Like some outstanding student scholarship etc. in undergrad. Grad no. But in Grad School (May 2019), participated in a Health Challenge and was in the 3rd place (very very very small competition... I think no one will have any idea about it).

Fellowships/Funding: NO (International students cannot apply for like NSF....etc)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA as described in LOR section.

Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.):

1. I think I have illustrated my passion and drive etc. well in my SoP (basically a good SoP).
2. Also emailed profs to ask if they have positions for PhD. 1 interview from UPenn/Bioeng. 2 "encourage to apply" from Stanford/EE, Yale/BME. 1 casual talk from Vanderbilt/CS (not very academic)

Research Interests: Biomedical imaging, image analysis, machine learning, deep learning, biomarker, radiomics, imaging informatics.

Institutions/Programs:

Columbia / BME
Yale / BME
UPenn / BE
Emory-GaTech / BME
Uwashington / BE
WUSTL / Imaging Science
JHU / BME
Vanderbilt / CS
Stanford / EE 

Comments:

These schools are like all top schools and I am therefore very concerned I would be rejected for all. I guess I could phrase my questions like 3 points

1. Are these schools too high for me? Should I change or add some safe schools?
2. My interest is not related to biology, like cell culture, tissue engineering etc.. It's more like about coding and image analysis. I heard Stanford EE is like highly highly highly competitive. But there is a EE professor just answered my email and he looked like highly encouraged me to apply (but he is not in the committee so he doesn't have a say in admission). I was so like not sure if I should apply...
3. Any other suggestions considering this is extremely late (some schools are due on Dec 1st).

Many thanks guys!! ?

Shane

[KayleeZ]

I also apply for biomedical imaging track, particularly in MRI. Some of your programs are good. You can keep on contacting the potential professor after submitting the formal application. Wish you good luck!

Also, I have a question. I submitted the application for Columbia/BME. But it seems to be a rolling program? Do you know any information about the timeline?

[ttshaneee]

On 12/3/2019 at 4:49 PM, KayleeZ said:

I also apply for biomedical imaging track, particularly in MRI. Some of your programs are good. You can keep on contacting the potential professor after submitting the formal application. Wish you good luck!

Also, I have a question. I submitted the application for Columbia/BME. But it seems to be a rolling program? Do you know any information about the timeline?

Thanks! I don't have an idea about that.. I still didn't submit the application to Columbia tho.. I feel it will consider all the application before deadline.