Where should I be applying for biostatistics phd?

[veca222]

I am planning on applying to biostat phd programs for the fall 2013 incoming class. My undergrad gpa is underwhelming, and I'm not sure where I should be applying to. Here's some general background info:

-Undergrad at a large state school on full academic scholarship

-I have majors in both math and econ, with a minor in stats. I will graduate in May, after finishing my undergrad in 3 years.

-GPA: 3.6, 3.34 in major

-GRE: 85th percentile for both verbal and quant

-Math courses: Calc 1-3, differential equations, linear algebra, probability theory, operations research, mathematical modeling, applied stat methods (grad class), biostatistics (grad class)

-Currently enrolled in adv. calc, graph theory, applied regression analysis (grad class) and experimental design (grad class)

-I did an REU in applied math with a very well known and respected REU program. I'm going to be listed as an author on 3 papers, but all are still working papers. I've presented at 2 small research conferences, and will be presenting at a national one soon.

-I will have 2 extremely good letters of rec. from professors that publish very often and know me well, the other will come from a prof that taught a graduate stats class that I got an A in.

-If it helps, I'm a female US citizen.

I've pretty much psyched myself out completely because of my less than stellar academic record. Any thoughts on where I should focus on applying to would be greatly appreciated!

[sisyphus1]

im sure cyberwulf can give you better guidance, but from what i see i think your are being too humble.

yes, gpa is on the lower side but seems like you've taken some hard, grad-level coursese which should help counteract the low gpa. combine that with research experience and letters of recs, i think you will be competitive at almost all biostats programs that you apply to (keep in mind that biostats phds are not as competitive as stats phds).

[cyberwulf]

That major GPA is a bit of a problem, but it does depend on how you got there; a couple of disastrously bad grades combined with mostly excellent ones will put you in a better place than a string of mediocrity. I think you're probably out of the running for the top 3 PhD programs, and pretty marginal for the next 4-6. After that, your chances start to improve as you move to programs outside of the top 10.

You might consider starting in a Masters program (you'll have a solid shot at gaining admission to most good ones) and then moving into the PhD after that.

[veca222]

I've started filling out applications. Right, now, I plan on applying to:

Medical University of South Carolina

Boston University

Emory

Vanderbilt

Colombia (accelerated masters)

George Washington University

University of Pittsburgh

Based on my profile,

1. Do I have a chance of getting into these programs?

2. Should I apply to more/less schools?

3. Are there any other programs that I should be considering?

Thanks so much!

[Biostat_Assistant_Prof]

I have similar grades (3.5 GPA, overall and major) and GRE Q score (163). Those programs seem to be on par with where I'm applying to and I think you have a decent shot at getting into a few (of course I'm going to say that though, because I'm hoping to get into them as well!)

My school list includes: Hopkins and UW, both of which I'm applying to MS because I know I don't stand a chance at their PhD yet. I'm not holding my breath for either though.

Then I'm applying to UNC, Michigan, Emory, Yale, Brown, Boston, Vanderbilt, Pitt, and Florida State... I'm also thinking about Iowa, UCLA, Penn, and Minnesota..... Of those schools, I know I won't get into all, but hope to get into a few so I have options. My top of those would be UNC or Emory, because of location and proximity to my family... I've also considered the Medical University of South Carolina program, but I've heard very little about it and I'm not sure about how it compares to the rest of the schools on my list... If anyone has info regarding it, I'd like to hear it!

Anyways, good luck to you!

[cyberwulf]

I've started filling out applications. Right, now, I plan on applying to:

Medical University of South Carolina

Boston University

Emory

Vanderbilt

Colombia (accelerated masters)

George Washington University

University of Pittsburgh

Based on my profile,

1. Do I have a chance of getting into these programs?

2. Should I apply to more/less schools?

3. Are there any other programs that I should be considering?

It wouldn't be totally crazy to throw applications at one or more of UNC, Michigan, Minnesota, Penn, Brown, UCLA, and Berkeley. They're probably reaches, but your current list seems a tad too conservative.

Edited October 8, 2012 by cyberwulf

[cyberwulf]

I've also considered the Medical University of South Carolina program, but I've heard very little about it and I'm not sure about how it compares to the rest of the schools on my list... If anyone has info regarding it, I'd like to hear it!

I would consider MUSC to be roughly on the level of Vanderbilt, Florida State, and BU; certainly nowhere near the prestige of UNC or Emory. They've lost a fair number of faculty recently, so they might be struggling a bit.