Where can I find good information about biostats programs?

[faerare]

Hi all,

 

I just finished my junior year as an undergraduate and am hoping to pursue biostatistics at a graduate level. I've struggled to find much comprehensive information on the internet about programs and levels of competitiveness. Here are some of the questions I'm trying to investigate right now:

 

1) How do I gauge how competitive I am? 

2) It's fairly easy to find a list of top biostats programs, but where can you go to find a list of "middle tier" programs?

3) Financial aid will be a must for me. How do I figure out which programs are most inclined to give financial aid?

 

Thanks for any help in advance. I know I definitely want to continue learning, but I am not sure of how I should be going about this. I openly admit that I am very naive about this process and appreciate any tips!

[Shostakovich]

1) There's published info throughout some school websites (off the top of my head I could say that UW-Seattle, UNC, and Minnesota publish applicant data). From what I've seen applicants at the top programs generally come from top 50ish undergrad institutions, and have 3.7+ GPAs (with more weight given to Math GPA and coursework). We have some faculty members who read this forum regularly and give students feedback on a case-by-case basis (if you post your profile on a separate thread or PM them).

2) There's really no clear line but perhaps top 10 or so on this list might be top tier, and mid tier might be the ones after that: http://www.amstat.org/education/pdfs/USNews_BioStatisticsRankings.pdf

3) I've heard about UW-Madison and UNC sending out some unfunded offers (but I believe UNC does have the biggest department in the world and sends out many funded offers as well). Most of the other programs on the top/mid tier list should be very good at providing students funding. Even if you don't get full funding they might still give partial funding, and taking out loans is also another option if need be.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Shostakovich

[Biostat_HU]

Definitely check websites of the schools you are interested in, and email departments.  Biostat departments have contact information listed, and will reply to your questions, including questions about funding.