2025 Biostatistics PhD Application Questions

[Rachel394]

Undergrad Institution: Top 70

Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): Chemistry
GPA:  3.4

Grad Institution: Ivy

Major: Biostatistics

GPA: 3.7

 

Current Research Interests: clinical trials, want to work in industry later

 

Research Experience:  

• Capstone project: new methods of visualization

Work Experience:

• Analyst position in a hospital
• Published 40+ papers and abstracts in healthcare (not first author). Analysis based on registry data and clinical trials.

Recommendation Letters:

• From capstone project supervisor (professor)
• From my direct manager (Biostatistician)
• From my manager's head (Big name in healthcare)

Programs interested:

Harvard University

Johns Hopkins University

Michigan - Ann Arbor

Columbia University

University of Minnesota

Duke University

MD Anderson

University of Pittsburgh

UT Health

USC

I will also select some school with lower ranking + interested professors

 

My concerns is: 

1. Compared to other applicants, I can see that I am lack of research experience. In my SoP, I'm wondering that if I should focus on describing the capstone project and research-similar experience in my work, or focus on describing clinical trial related experience

2. How are the programs listed above? Am I reaching too high? 

3. Is there any other programs you would recommend based on my background and interest?  

Thank you very much! 

 

 

 

Edited September 8 by Rachel394
added some details

[JSLuo]

I think 3.4 GPA for undergrad is a direct reject at top schools like Harvard JHU. But since you worked in industry so I guess people view it differently.