suggestions about the application for biostatistics Ph.D

[hopenxx]

I feel so desperate about the application for biostatistics Ph.D program. I heard that the application this year is very competitive. I think my background is so weak comparing to others.

Undergraduate: statistics in an unrenowned university in China, GPA: 3.7/4 ranking: 2/50

Master: currently enrolled in a Master program of statistics of a good-reputed university in south US, GPA: 3.96/4

GRE: V600+Q800

Research: Currently working on a paper with a professor but not know whether or not can be published

Having exposed to calculus, statistical inference, linear algebra, linear regression, probability, stochastic process, multivariate analysis but NEVER taken courses related to real analysis and topology just learned something by myself

I am planning to apply biostatistics(statistics) program in

Emory

UT

Northwestern

Purdue

UCONN

Does it seem very hopeless?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[hopenxx]

Could anyone give me some suggestions?

Thanks a lot!

[sisyphus1]

i think you have a decent shot at those schools. but it seems like you are an international applicant? i've heard from several admissions offices that fuding for international students in biostatistics is extremely limited, given that a lot of the funding comes from organizaitons like the NIH. given this, it may behoove you to apply to a bunch of stat phd programs as well.

best of luck (fyi im an international applicant applying to biostats too!)

[cyberwulf]

i've heard from several admissions offices that fuding for international students in biostatistics is extremely limited, given that a lot of the funding comes from organizaitons like the NIH.

While this is true, the situation isn't THAT dire. Training grants (awarded by NIH, available only to U.S. citizens) typically account for no more than 20-30% of funding in biostat departments. The bigger issue is that there are a lot of international applicants (plus the domestic ones) competing for the remaining places.

OP, your list of schools seems reasonable, though to be safe you might consider adding a couple more places.

[hopenxx]

While this is true, the situation isn't THAT dire. Training grants (awarded by NIH, available only to U.S. citizens) typically account for no more than 20-30% of funding in biostat departments. The bigger issue is that there are a lot of international applicants (plus the domestic ones) competing for the remaining places.

OP, your list of schools seems reasonable, though to be safe you might consider adding a couple more places.

Thank you very much. It is a good idea to consider more schools. Work on that!

[hopenxx]

i think you have a decent shot at those schools. but it seems like you are an international applicant? i've heard from several admissions offices that fuding for international students in biostatistics is extremely limited, given that a lot of the funding comes from organizaitons like the NIH. given this, it may behoove you to apply to a bunch of stat phd programs as well.

best of luck (fyi im an international applicant applying to biostats too!)

Thanks you. Good luck for both of us!

[ANDS!]

Some of those schools are far from hopeless (as far as prereqs are concerned - I know nothing about funding restrictions for students). Though I don't think Northwestern has quite the Bios program you are looking for. Personally I think Emory is the better all around choice, but then I might be biased.

As for real analysis - more doesn't hurt, but I don't think not knowing it is going to particularly hamstring you. It just might make certain classes a bit more of a challenge.

[hopenxx]

Some of those schools are far from hopeless (as far as prereqs are concerned - I know nothing about funding restrictions for students). Though I don't think Northwestern has quite the Bios program you are looking for. Personally I think Emory is the better all around choice, but then I might be biased.

As for real analysis - more doesn't hurt, but I don't think not knowing it is going to particularly hamstring you. It just might make certain classes a bit more of a challenge.

Thank you very much. Do you have any suggestions about other biostatistics programs that I will have a chance to get an offer?