Ph.D. in Biostats Profile Evaluation for Fall 2022

[noquanjude]

Hello,

I'm an international student with 5 yrs working experience in pharma and biotech companies as a biostatistician. I realized I need to advance both my knowledge and degree at this stage. I have a background in math(BS) and stats(MS), but with relative low GPA.

 

Undergrad Institution: (TOP15(CN))
Major(s): Math and applied math
Minor(s):
GPA: 82/3.2

Type of Student: (International, Male)

GRE General Test: (This is the one I took 8 yrs ago, expect to refresh the grades and no lower than the older one)
Q: 167 
V: 150
W: 3.5

TOEFL Score: Waived

Grad Institution: (US news top 50(US))

Concentration:  Stats
GPA: 3.4

Programs Applying: (Biostatistics)

 

Research Experience:  Most researches are related with my projects after graduated from school. Several manuscripts published and one JSM speech in preparation. No pure stats research so far.

Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from my current supervisor and previous supervisor, both PHD in Biostats with title as Sr Director. Two letters from my graduate school teachers.

Math/Statistics Grades:  

Under graduate: 

First two years: Mathematical analysis I/II/III(84/63/71), Advanced Algebra I/II(75/75), Analytic Geometry(80), Elementary Number Theory(82), General Topology(71), Probability and Statistics(85), ODE(82), Complex Analysis(84), Real Analysis(70), Mathematical Statistics(95), Mathematical Model and Experiments(78),

Last two years: Functional Analysis(80), PDE(83), Stochastic Process(87), Scientific Computation(85), Theory of Interest(96), Financial Mathematics(88), Actuarial Science(90), Options, Futures and Other Derivative(81), Investment Analysis and Risk Management(91)

Graduate:  Theory of Probability(B+), Statistical Computing & App(B-), Linear Algebra(A), Radom Process & App(A-), Mathematical Stat(B), Linear Models in Stats(B), Survival Analysis(A-), Topics in SAS programming(A-), Multivariate Statistical Model(B)

Applying to Where:  All Biostats concentration

University of Pittsburgh
University of Iowa
Florida State University
University of Arizona
University of Massachusetts--Amherst
Drexel University
University of Illinois--Chicago
Louisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Texas Health Science Center--Houston
Virginia Commonwealth University
University of South Florida
 

I'm still doing investigation so far thus only list part of the school. Generally, I'm planning to apply total approximately 20 schools considering the odds is low. (mostly seek schools rank round 100 or even behind)

Albeit I have a math background but the grades were pretty low, all the proof based courses overwhelmed me from Day1 of my undergraduate study. I have to admit I'm not that kind of genius in math and sometimes indolent. My graduate program is subsidiary to math department and the courses settings were very theoretical. The scoring was also stringent and we had to pass the comprehensive exam at then end of the first year. To be honest, I never thought about going deep to next level study at that time, until then my supervisors encouraged me to persuade the PHD degree. With all the projects I've worked on so far,  I started to enjoying in reading all those papers and seek any applications to the the realistic problems encountered, this also motivated me to apply this year,

 

Any comments or suggestions are highly appreciated! Thanks!

[StatsG0d]

Although your GPA is quite low, you have several published manuscripts and your math background is very deep. I think you have a shot at the schools in the 5-10 range. I would apply to all of those (replacing your least 5 favorite schools in the above), and see what happens. 

Most of the programs you listed are very unknown. It's not clear they would want someone who appears equipped to be a methodologist, as many of these programs are applied. If applications are your interest, I would clearly state this on your SOP, because based on your math background I would think you would want to be a methodologist.

[bayessays]

There is not a ton of info available on admissions to these lower-ranked programs, but I think you would get into some of those on your list.  I'm not as optimistic as @StatsG0d and I think Iowa/Pitt/FSU are already "reach" schools for you and you shouldn't apply much higher than that.  For an international applicant especially, a 3.4 graduate GPA is very low, so I think you are right to focus on more applied programs.  Since you have 5 years of experience working in pharma, I don't think anyone will question that you want to go to a more applied program.

[cyberwulf]

I think your list of schools is pretty reasonable. The top 15 programs are likely out of reach based on your GPA (both undergrad and grad), and it's unlikely that the letters from your supervisors are going to be strong enough to overcome that. However, you have applied work experience, so might be an appealing candidate for more applied programs.

[Casorati]

This may be a bit harsh but you really need to think about why you want to pursue a PhD degree. PhD is about original research, which could be much more challenging than taking courses, and it's a lot of time commitment. A strong background in mathematics is necessary but not sufficient to succeed in a statistics or biostatistics PhD program. That said, given your consistent low grades in math courses, even if you get admitted into some programs, you might have a hard time in your PhD coursework and research. For your list of schools, I think the first three are out of reach. I would mainly focus on schools ranked below 70.

Since you have taken many math courses, I would suggest picking up some previous textbooks and see if you can reproduce those proofs. If you still find them very difficult, I would advise you against pursuing a PhD degree. 

Edited July 11, 2021 by Casorati