Applying for MS in Biostats, questions about grade issues + hoping for evaluation

[yoobro]

Hi there, 

I'm currently putting together my applications for a Master's program in biostat. I think I'm a strong candidate, but due to a few unique factors, I'm having some difficulting evaluating my chances at some of the upper tier programs. First, my profile:

Degree in applied math / biology from a top 10 department at a top school

GPA: 3.79

Grade breakdown: Methods of applied math 1 and 2: A and A, Calc 1: A, Calc 2 (multivariable): Pass (taken pass/fail) Statistical Inference 1: B, Linear Algebra: B, Quant. models of biological systems: A, Statistical infernece in genomics: A

+ a bunch of Biology classses, all As except 1 B

Research:

-Worked in a lab senior year involving statistics, but didn't do thesis

-Summer internships at a top research institute, resulting in 1 publication 

Post grad: ~2 yrs Research Assistant at another top research institute, resulting in 1 publication, data analysis heavy

Recommendations: Should be strong, and 2 of them from very distinguished faculty members

GRE: Currently studying, expecting a strong quant. score

 

What I feel like could be red flags on my application are my two Bs in Linear alg. and Stats, plus my silly senior year decision to take multivariable calculus pass/fail. This was the last semester of my senior year, and I had already taken a slew of classes that made use of multivariable calculus. Plus the class was mostly geared towards physics applications. So, with limited time on my hands and no aspiration for grad school at the time, I decided to just take it pass/fail.

So the question is, how strong is my application in light of my grades for those three classes? I'm hoping that my good performance in other classes, including the other two upper level math classes, can make up for it. But I also recognize that those three classes are sort of "core" classes for a statistics student. Should I try to explain in my personal statment? Also, should I perhaps take the GRE math subject test to further demonstrate my ability?

Do I still have a shot at some top programs like UCLA or Washington, or should I recalibrate my expectations? 

 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cyberwulf]

For an MS in biostat, you're a slam dunk basically everywhere. Don't bother taking the Math GRE. You know you'd be competitive for some top 10 PhD programs, right?

As an aside, there is a pretty big prestige gap between UW and UCLA in biostat; the former is one of the top (if not *the* top) departments in the field. The latter is good, but likely ranked outside the top 10.

Edited September 22, 2015 by cyberwulf

[yoobro]

Really glad to hear this, actually. So I'm guessing you think my other grades make up for a few shortcomings in some key classes? I wasn't sure about MS programs, but I thought those few hiccups would have kept me out of the top 10 PhD programs for sure.

UCLA is where I would truly love to do the MS, due to a combintaiton of strong program, location, and large alum network... so if you really think I'm a slam dunk there, then I'm thrilled!