Profile Evaluation: Biostatistics PhD Fall 2021

[bchris]

Howdy,

I am a rising senior and am planning to apply for PhD and masters programs in Biostatistics for Fall 2021. However, I currently do not know where I stand and whether the schools/programs I have chosen are realistic. I would love to go straight into a PhD program, but I am unsure of if this is feasible and would love feedback!

 

Undergraduate Institution: Top 60 LACs

Majors: Biomathematics  

Minor: Urban and Community Health, Music

GPA: 3.80/4.0

Major GPA: 3.76/4.0

Type of Student: Domestic White Male

Courses taken:

• Math: Math Modeling w/ Biological Applications (A), Differential Equations (A-), Mathematical Modeling (A), Calculus III (B), Linear Algebra (A-), Agent-Based Modeling (B+)
• CS: Programming Fundamentals (A)
• Stats: Applied Statistics (A), Applied Regression (A), Biostatistics (A)
• Science: Biology I (B), Biology II (B+), Conservation Biology (A), Evolution (A)

GRE General Test:  321/340 (V:160, Q:161, W:4.5)

Research Experience: 

Spring 2018 - Spring 2019: Ornithology Research (including Summer Fellowship), presented at three conferences

Spring 2018 - Present: Biomathematics Research on Florida Plant Species (including Summer Fellowship), presented at two conferences, published a paper

Fall 2018 - Summer 2019: Frog Research at local zoo, volunteer research assistantship

Summer 2019 - Present: Biostatistics Internship at local Health Science Center (includes both Summers) 

Summer 2019 - Present: Plant Distribution Research, presented at one conference

Fall 2019 - Present: Data Analysis for Art History Professor, research assistantship 

Spring 2020 - Present: Agent-Based Modeling for Florida Plant Species

Spring 2020 - Present: Economic Simulations Research

I hope to have two more papers published by the time I graduate, but they will not be ready in time to place on my application. 

Working Experience:

Spring 2017 - Present: Teaching Assistant for Math Modeling w/ Biological Applications

Fall 2018 - Present: Teaching Assistant for Applied Calculus

I also tutor off-campus for middle school students and am a freelance musician. 

Letters of Recommendation: One from biomathematics professor/research advisor, one from statistics professor/research advisor, one from an epidemiologist/internship advisor.

Currently considering schools:

Masters: University of Tennessee, University of North Carolina, and Vanderbilt University

PhD: University of Mississippi and Vanderbilt University

 

I would love feedback from you all and I greatly appreciate your help!!

[bayessays]

I think Vanderbilt is going to be somewhat of a reach for the PhD.  They seem to be a pretty competitive program for their rank for a variety of reasons.  Is it feasible for you to take some more math (like real analysis and probability/math stats)?  If you could do that I think you'd be much more competitive.   I don't think you need a master's if you can take some more math now.  I think you are selling yourself short if you go to unranked programs like Tennessee or Mississippi.

[bchris]

57 minutes ago, bayessays said:

 Is it feasible for you to take some more math (like real analysis and probability/math stats)?  If you could do that I think you'd be much more competitive.   I don't think you need a master's if you can take some more math now. 

I am currently unable to take more math classes because I need to fulfill other course requirements. However, I could see if I could sit in on or audit these courses. Additionally, are there other programs that you recommend I look into that you believe are more within my reach? I am particularly interested in staying the Southeastern US, so any recommendations within this region would be greatly appreciated! 

[bayessays]

U Florida, U South Carolina, Medical U of SC. To be clear, definitely still apply to Vanderbilt, I just think it is not a certainty but it is a totally reasonable school to apply to with your profile. 

[bchris]

Thanks for the input! I will consider adding these institutions to my school list. I look forward to hearing from anyone else who has any comments about my profile or other programs to consider!