Fall 2024 Biostatistics profile evaluation

[lrste]

Hi all,

I'm planning on applying to biostatistics PhDs for fall 2024, and I'm switching fields a bit. I actually previously posted on this forum a couple years back considering a statistics phd right out of undergrad, but things have changed a bit since then. I'm mostly trying to get a sense of the range of programs that I should be shooting for. I'm unsure of the competitiveness of my application, given that it seems a bit atypical (but not unheard of). Details below.

 

Undergrad Institution: Top 3 US
Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): Math
GPA: 4.9/5.0

GRE General Test:
Q: 169
V: 166
W: 5.5

 

Programs Applying: PhD in Biostatistics, PhD in Statistics (if the stats department has biomedical research)

 

Research/Work Experience: Some economics research in undergrad (both solo and with a professor), a summer spent in economic consulting, and a TA for econometrics for a couple semesters. Post undergrad, I've spent the last year (and will spend the next year) working for a major government-adjacent economics research department as a research assistant. Much of my research has been applying somewhat sophisticated time series and panel data methods to macroeconomic data, although some of it is focused on public health/health economics. I have considerable experience in data processing (especially in python and stata).

 

Letters of Recommendation: 2 letters from former professors, one of which I did research under and TA'd econometrics for (very well known in econometrics and causal inference), one who supervised some solo research of mine (not known outside of economics, but very well known in economics). My last letter is from my boss at my current research job, who is a PhD economist who would be somewhat known in the economics world, but definitely not in the stats/metrics world. Regardless, I think this last letter will be very strong as he knows me very well. Other two should be pretty good as well.

 

Math/Statistics Grades:  

Many of my math grades are just "pass", either because of COVID pass/fail grading or because of a general policy at my school having pass/fail grades for first semester classes.

 

Undergrad level: Multivariate calculus (P), DiffEq (A), Probability & Random Variables (A), Linear Algebra (A) (This was a proof-heavy linear algebra class, mostly taken by math/physics majors, as opposed to CS), Fundamentals of Statistics (P), Real Analysis (A), Matrix Methods in Optimization and Machine Learning (A), Statistics Computation and Applications (A), Econometrics (P, but I TA'd for it twice), Causal inference with ML/AI (A), 

Grad level: Intro stochastic processes (P), Mathematical Statistics (P) (both of these seem to be at the master's level, as far as I can tell)

 

I'm just trying to get a sense of what range of biostatistics programs I should be applying to. The two big question marks for me are my math grades (concerned what the "P" grades might mean for my application) and the fact that I'm switching fields. I realize that I'll need to explain that transition on my personal statement. My current research interests are high-dimensional statistics, 'omics, stat learning, and personalized medicine, but I'm really looking for departments that have a breadth of research because I'm far from settled on those topics. Thanks so much for any insight you can provide.

 

[Counterfactual]

You're profile is very competitive for top 10 biostats programs!

I'd apply to every program that I'd want to go to if I were you. Your math background is sufficient for both statistics and biostatistics. Most programs only requires calc 1-3, analysis, linear algebra, a course in math stats/probability anyway, and you went beyond that and did well in many of the upper div classes! In terms of the P's, don't let them bother you since they can be explained away in the SOP. I believe it would suffice to let the admission committee know in your statement  that they were due to the school policy and the pandemic.

Regarding switching fields, it is not uncommon for econ majors to switch to biostats or stats! I envy that you already have experience with dealing with projects related to public health policies prior to applying. I applied to biostats program with a double major in finance and statistics with very little project experience related to public health or medicine. The furthest I went was to take courses related to causal inference and mention my literature review project that is related to estimation methodology commonly used in the field of public health. So you're way ahead of me in terms of intention to switch fields! No worries!

One of the takeaways I had this application cycle is to apply to a larger number of programs. If you have money to spare and the LoR writers don't mind, I think it's worth the incremental effort!