PhD/Masters Profile Eval, Stats/Biostats, atypical background

[stats_physics]

Hello, thanks for looking!! 

Type: Domestic white male 

Bachelor: Undergrad at a top ivy

Major: Physics

GPA: 3.93/4.0, Magna Cum Laude 

Courses taken: 

High school: Calculus 1-3 (A), Linear Algebra & Diff Eq (A)

College: Proof-based Linear Algebra/Matrix Theory (A), Math methods of Physics (A-), Physics courses including 2 Quantum courses, Astrophysics, advanced classical physics sequence, etc, all A's with A- in senior thesis.

Currently enrolled: Mathematical Statistics through Harvard Extension (basically follows Rice, will definitely get an A).

Will take this summer before application: online semester of real analysis (https://netmath.illinois.edu/college/math-447). 

Research experience:

1.     Most recently, several years at a neuroscience/psychiatry lab which I would call biostats-adjacent. I do all-things "data"-- stats for psychiatry papers (level of complexity of ANOVA, regression, nothing fancy), some relatively simple ML, some more data-engineering type programming, etc. Some ML on EEG data, some open-label treatment studies, etc. I'll have at least first-author paper in a solid journal (with only basic stats), and probably a small handful of co-author papers by the time I apply. 

2.    Did some volunteer research for a bioinformatics prof that led to publication before my current job. Statistics + Python. 

3.     Undergrad research in Astrophysics-- one co-author paper in cosmology, one (good) applied math internship in industry

4.    Some non-STEM research in political science 

Other info:

1.     Without doxing myself, a highly successful 3-4 years in non-academic, arts-related career post-college, before coming back to academia. 

2.     Solid programming in Python, Matlab, Bash, SQL, etc, almost entirely from research, not much formal CS education. 

3.    I'm a strong writer (academic and otherwise) and will write a compelling statement of purpose 

 

GRE: haven't taken and may have to prioritize working hard in Real Analysis.

LOR: Will have strong LOR from neuroscience lab (from neuroscience and Psychiatry faculty) as well as from previous bioinformatics PI. No one in a Stats/Biostats department, and all of my recs will be from research, since it's been a while since undergrad. They will definitely attest that I'm a strong academic writer, have confidence in me as a PhD student. They won't be able to attest to whether I can do proof-based math, more along the lines of "statsphysics developed algorithm for precision-medicine approach to optimize treatment for __ and is great at research", etc.  

Strengths:

1. Undergrad Physics GPA at a name-brand Ivy.

2. Research experience-- I'll have at least half a dozen publications in non-statistics field where I played a quantitative role, and a few where I either will be first-author or drafted the manuscript. 

3. SOP: I think I can tell a good story about what has led me to Stats/Biostats 

Weaknesses: Lack of math in undergrad, even though I was a Physics major with rigorous courses, I'm playing some catch-up taking real analysis this summer.  Also, I'm 5 years out of undergrad, 3/5 years spent in not academia. 

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I'm still sorting out whether I'm applying for masters or PhD programs, and in Statistics or Biostatistics. I'll most likely end up applying to a combination. I think that my app will lend itself more towards biostats because of my research experience, but I want to keep my options open-- I can totally imagine myself loving doing more methods/theory research. I'll say something in apps about interest in Statistical Learning or Causal Inference, but I'm unsure in reality. 

 

What are my chances at Stats, Biostats PhD programs, as well as masters programs? Hard to get perspective, given a pretty atypical background. Mentors have strongly encourage I just do a PhD, but of course that's what a bunch of PhDs say  

Thank you so much for your time and for reading!

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by stats_physics

[Econometrician]

I think if you do well in Real Analysis you'll be competitive for any program (stats and biostats both), so I wouldn't worry about your chances. As for Masters vs PhD, you can always drop out of your PhD and get a Masters after passing quals, so I'd probably also say go for the PhD (since it's also paid plus if you like it you just continue).

[stats_physics]

1 hour ago, Econometrician said:

I think if you do well in Real Analysis you'll be competitive for any program (stats and biostats both), so I wouldn't worry about your chances. As for Masters vs PhD, you can always drop out of your PhD and get a Masters after passing quals, so I'd probably also say go for the PhD (since it's also paid plus if you like it you just continue).

Thanks for the feedback! 

[PhysicsKid]

As someone coming from a (very) similar background as you, I would say that physics majors are well sought after in Stats admissions. Doing well in physics undergrad and then showing good pure math chops (as a good grade in real analysis would do) is good as a way to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Another thing to note is that working for a couple years is generally viewed favorably as well. Obviously depends if there was some statistical flavor to the work you were doing, but most places like the additional perspective you can offer having done work and decided to return to academia.

I would definitely apply to PhD programs if you think that you definitely want to do academia as even if you don't get in, you can ask for your application to be transferred to the masters program. 

Good luck!