Realistic Expectations for Biostat/Stat PhD Fall 2026 Admission (blunt assessments appreciated)

[wfijoio]

TL;DR: Switched majors late in undergrad from a STEM field to math/stats. Solid research background but unsure if my coursework is deep enough for top programs. Worked as a post-grad research assistant in a math/statistics-focused role.

Undergrad Institution: Selective liberal arts college
Majors: Mathematics & Statistics
GPA: 3.92/4.00
Demographics: Domestic male

Math Coursework:
Calc III, Linear Algebra, Intro to Proofs, ODEs, Real Analysis I (all A/A-)

Stats/Related Coursework:
Probability (A), Stat computing/modeling course, Machine learning, 2 upper-level applied statistical methods courses (all A’s)

GRE: Planning to take if required

Research Experience:
~2 years as a post-grad research assistant working on applied math methods using Python; presented at multiple conferences and posters; currently working on a manuscript (not yet published)
2–3 years of undergraduate lab research with a computational project (in R) in a science-related field

Letters of Recommendation:

Research assistant supervisor/professor; Undergraduate research advisor; Math/stats faculty member (upper-level stat courses/not-rigorous)

Teaching Experience: None formal
Professional Experience: Data-focused internship

Programs Applying To:
Biostatistics PhD (T10 programs)
Some Statistics or Operations Research PhD programs: Columbia stat, Duke stat; CMU stat, UC Davis stat; UIUC stat; UMinn stat;

Not sure what safeties/if there's safeties would look like (look outside top 50?);

Concerns:
Switched into math/stats relatively late; worried coursework depth might not match others in the pool
No formal teaching background or publications despite solid research involvement

Any feedback on my chances at top biostats programs and whether I should focus more on safeties or drop some schools would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time and help.

Edited 4 hours ago by wfijoio