mf161 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 (edited) Hi everybody! I'm interested in applying to a graduate program for a masters in biostatistics and wanted a few opinions on whether or not I am prepared. Below is my profile: Undergrad GPA: 3.8X Undergrad degree: BA, not in Statistics Relevant courses (grade in parentheses): 1. Differential Calculus (A) 2. Integral Calculus (A) 3. Multivariate Calculus (A-) 4. Differential Equations (A) 5. Linear Algebra (A) --I think this would fit the criteria for an introductory course 7. Introduction to Statistics (A-) 6. Probability Theory with Calculus (A) 7. Introduction to Applied Statistics (currently taking, I expect to get an A in the course; this is a graduate level course) GRE scores: 162 Q 5.0 Analytic Writing Noteworthy skills and other: -SQL (basic, but I am learning more every day) -Minitab (same as SQL) Thank you for your assistance! Edited February 16, 2014 by fuzzylogician edited for privacy at OP's request Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberwulf Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Unless your school is completely unknown, a 3.8+ with adequate mathematical preparation gives you a very good chance of admission at many good Biostat Masters programs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mf161 Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 Unless your school is completely unknown, a 3.8+ with adequate mathematical preparation gives you a very good chance of admission at many good Biostat Masters programs. Thank you for your input! Unfortunately, my undergraduate is a small, public liberal arts college that isn't very well known. Fortunately, I plan on applying to public universities in the same in-state program, so I think they should know of my undergraduate! Thank you again, I'm delighted to hear that I should go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberwulf Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 It's not so much a matter of your school's name being recognized, but of the quality of the institution. Faculty are entirely capable of using the web to get an idea of a school's overall quality (say, using US News rankings or admissions data on about.com) even if they're unfamiliar with it. The "meaning" of a 3.8 depends on your school's academic standards and student body strength, not so much on its name. I am sometimes surprised to discover in the process of reviewing applications that smaller colleges I have never heard of are just as or more competitive at the undergraduate level than universally-recognized large state schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyentist Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) Hi everybody! I'm interested in applying to a graduate program for a masters in biostatistics and wanted a few opinions on whether or not I am prepared. Below is my profile: Undergrad GPA: 3.8X Undergrad degree: BA, not in Statistics Relevant courses (grade in parentheses): 1. Differential Calculus (A) 2. Integral Calculus (A) 3. Multivariate Calculus (A-) 4. Differential Equations (A) 5. Linear Algebra (A) --I think this would fit the criteria for an introductory course 7. Introduction to Statistics (A-) 6. Probability Theory with Calculus (A) 7. Introduction to Applied Statistics (currently taking, I expect to get an A in the course; this is a graduate level course) GRE scores: 162 Q 5.0 Analytic Writing Noteworthy skills and other: -SQL (basic, but I am learning more every day) -Minitab (same as SQL) Thank you for your assistance! You look like you are set. Try to pick up some programming (learn R and/or SAS) you will use that a lot more than SQL. Edited February 16, 2014 by fuzzylogician edited for privacy at OP's request (only quote edited) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mf161 Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share Posted November 1, 2013 Thank you for your input cyberwulf; it's interesting to hear about the nuances of the application process from the receiving and deciding end. And thank you for the advice cyentist; I plan on taking a course on SAS in the spring and will notify departments of such in my personal statement. This has all been very helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mf161 Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share Posted February 15, 2014 Again, thank you both; your advice was both helpful and encouraging. If you don't mind assisting me again, I have two follow-up questions: What are your thoughts on the following three programs, and how do you think they compare for preparing for a career as a biostatistician: -University at Albany Biostatistics MS -University at Buffalo Biostatistics MA -Yale University Biostatistics MPH Although the sought degrees are different designations, I am not sure if there is a significant discernable difference in the rigor or breadth of the curricula. Thank you for your assistance! P.S. cyentist: I followed your advice and began to train with SAS; I am already, as a beginner, discovering extremely useful applications with the code! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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