Choosing stat/biostat master program

[Heather_k97]

Hi,

I recently got 3 admissions from MS programs for biostat, which are:

Columbia- MS biostat

Duke- MS biostat w/ funding offer (about 5% of tuition/year, only valid for the first year)

UNC-chapel hill - MS biostat

I am an international student.
After master degree, I am planning to pursue PhD. Considering this, which school will best fit for future study?

I search that all 3 schools have pretty nice program, i think all schools’ MS programs are helpful for students who desire PhD and especially Duke and UNC have master qualification exam which will help me for later qual exam in PhD program.  
 

Considering the reputation of Biostat in each school and programs for each school, I am having a hard time to decide where to go. 
 

I appreciate any advice  please help me ? 

[StatsG0d]

UNC has (by far) the best biostatistics program of the 3, and an MS from there would probably "look better" for PhD programs later on, especially since UNC is renowned for its rigorous theoretical training.

I would not put any weight on whether a master's exam is required. The material on a master's exam and a PhD qualifying exam are vastly different. 

You might want to ask these programs about the possibility of continuing onto the PhD.