Biostatistics PhD Profile Evaluation

[Chaos Kass]

Hi,

I'm about to go into the penultimate year of a four-year integrated Masters Mathematics degree at a UK university, and have recently decided that a PhD in Biostatistics is where I want to go after I graduate.

My main worry after reading many profile evaluations on here is that I lack the relevant research/teaching experience needed to be accepted into a good university. I'm not sure if that's because there are fewer opportunities to get the experience in the UK, but from reading the profiles even those still doing their undergrad already had research published.

In my final year I'll be writing a dissertation, so at least when it comes to applying I'll have something to talk about, and I plan on taking an internship next summer, but I still feel as though that won't be enough.

Here's my profile so far:

Undergraduate institution: Top 15 UK university

Major: Mathematics

Minor: N/A

Type of Student: British/Canadian white female

GPA: Currently a first - which using a converter translates to 3.90

Completed Courses: Calculus, Integration, Matrix Methods, Probability I, Probability II, Statistics I, Statistics II, Number Theory I, Discrete Mathematics, Geometry and Calculus, Series and Functions, Differential Equations I, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, Groups and Rings

Remaiming Courses: Differential Equations II, Groups and Symmetry, Rings Fields and Polynomials, Number Theory II, Combinatorics, Likelihood Inference, Medical Statistics (Year 3), Elliptic Curves, Principles of Epidemiology, Environmental Epidemiology, Clincal Trials, Bayesian Inference, Stochastic Processes, Dissertation (Year 4)

I plan on speaking to my academic advisor at the start of the semester about possible research/teaching opportunities but as far as I know they're only available to PhD students.

Looking at prospective universities my current department has links with Washington and Northwestern, so it might be advantageous if I apply there. I've looked at pretty much everywhere that offers Biostatistics and when I have a more accurate gauge of my research interests I'll be able to narrow it down. I'll also be applying to universities in Canada and the UK, though the problem with those in the UK is that it's near impossible to get funding.

Does anyone have any advice on how I could boost my profile by the time it comes to apply (for 2017 entry), and what universities (if any) I might stand a chance of getting into?

Thanks.

[cyberwulf]

Where did you get the idea that most applicants have one or more published papers before they apply? I can count on one hand the number of applicants I've seen that have a publication in what I'd consider a "serious" academic stat/biostat journal.

Your level of mathematical preparation will clearly be the strength of your application; so, your degree of success will probably depend heavily on your letters of recommendation. Get good ones, and you should be competitive for admission at top 10 departments.

Edited August 26, 2015 by cyberwulf