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, 2024 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.