Gut check on what programs to apply to

[strws]

Hi all!

I'm a current undergrad, and I'm starting to look at some PhD programs to apply to for fall 2026. I'm interested in multiscale modeling applications in medicine, and I've been looking mostly at computational biology programs with a few biostats programs that are less methodology-focused. I'm not really sure where to focus my applications, since I don't know how competitive I am in a typical applicant pool. If I could get some suggestions for where I'd fit best that would be great!!

Here's some info:

Major: Mathematics and statistics dual major at [large midwest university]

GPA: 4.0 (probably 3.9-4.0 by application)

Coursework: All of calculus, linear algebra 1 & 2, differential equations, real analysis, probability & stat theory, intro epidemiology, cell bio, computational genomics, mathematical biology (modeling-focused grad class), and a handful of grad classes for next year

Research:

2 years in a BME lab, worked on a PKPD modeling project for non-tuberculous mycobacteria and currently building a PBPKPD model for inhaled anti-TB drugs

Summer fellowship through my uni in the same lab as above, doing preliminary work on the TB drug model

2 years in an RNA biology lab doing some bioinformatics projects to predict effects of epitranscriptomic modifications and transposons in ALS

Internship at a data science/ML lab this summer (also at [large midwest university], building a proteomic bayesian causal network for ALS development

Publications:

No publications yet but hopefully soon! Probably a co-author on a paper for the BME lab

A few presentations/posters at undergrad and other small conferences at [large midwest university]

Skills/tools: matlab, R, python, bash, hpc/slurm, various bioinfo tools, github

LORs from the PIs of the BME, RNA bio, and ML labs

 

I'm a little concerned about a couple things - I'm graduating in three years for undergrad (lots of transfer credit from high school), and I won't have any research experience outside of my home institution. How major is this, and is there anything I could do to compensate? Thanks

[Lilliana]

I wouldn’t worry too much about graduating in three years as long as your LORs explain your maturity and research depth. The bigger factor is whether your research story feels focused, and yours actually does with modeling in medicine and biology.

Not having outside research experience isn’t ideal, but it’s not a dealbreaker at all. Strong letters and maybe a publication or preprint before applying would matter more in my opinion.

I’d apply broadly across top computational biology, systems biology, and some quantitative biostats programs. You seem competitive for a lot of T20 type schools if the letters are strong.

 

 

 

[Laboni765]

I’d be happy to give a gut check, but I’d want to see the details of your profile and current list first. Things like your GPA, major, research experience, publications (if any), relevant work experience, and what kind of program you’re targeting can make a big difference.

If you share the programs you’re considering, I’d look at whether the list has a reasonable mix of reach, target, and safer options rather than focusing only on rankings. I’d also consider fit with your research interests and whether individual faculty are actively working in your area.

The biggest thing I’d avoid is applying based solely on a program’s overall reputation. For PhD applications especially, advisor fit and research alignment can matter more than small differences in ranking.