Biostatistic Grad Programs

[biostatz1234]

Hey Guys,

I'm starting the biostat application process and  I'm trying to figure out what are some good programs to consider applying to. I want to do phd but didn't know if a good masters degree has some weight over an average phd?

Also what are some rankings of some phd programs?

I'm interested in a BU, UPitt type tier

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

 

[Biostat_Assistant_Prof]

Are you asking if a MS from Hopkins/Harvard would be preferred/more prestigious than a PhD from anywhere else? Assuming the PhD is a legitimate PhD from an accredited university, the PhD definitely carries more weight... 

As for rankings, after you get past the top 10 or so programs, comparisons between schools in terms of rankings are almost meaningless. No matter what program you choose, your PhD adviser is much more important than your school. Especially in the mid-lowest tier schools, specific research interests and specific available mentors/advisers should drive your choice. My opinion, a good advisor at a >10 ranked school is a far better situation to find yourself in than an average/bad advisor at a top ranked program. 

 

Edited October 5, 2015 by Biostat_student_22

[biostatz1234]

Are you asking if a MS from Hopkins/Harvard would be preferred/more prestigious than a PhD from anywhere else? Assuming the PhD is a legitimate PhD from an accredited university, the PhD definitely carries more weight... 

As for rankings, after you get past the top 10 or so programs, comparisons between schools in terms of rankings are almost meaningless. No matter what program you choose, your PhD adviser is much more important than your school. Especially in the mid-lowest tier schools, specific research interests and specific available mentors/advisers should drive your choice. My opinion, a good advisor at a >10 ranked school is a far better situation to find yourself in than an average/bad advisor at a top ranked program. 

 

Thanks for your response!

Where do you find the rankings your referring to? is there a specific list or just basic knowledge that top 10 are probably Hopkins Harvard UNC Washington ...

Ive found statistic programs and public health  rankings but nothing really for biostats specifically

[Biostat_Assistant_Prof]

Thanks for your response!

Where do you find the rankings your referring to? is there a specific list or just basic knowledge that top 10 are probably Hopkins Harvard UNC Washington ...

Ive found statistic programs and public health  rankings but nothing really for biostats specifically

US News and World Report ranks statistics and biostatistics programs together. There is a thread somewhere in this forum that teases the biostats programs out of it. it. Generally, everyone tends to look at them in terms of tiers rather than individual rankings. Tier 1 is usually considered Hopkins, Harvard, and Washington, Tier 2 is Michigan, UNC, and Minnesota and arguments could also be made to consider Emory or UC Berkeley into that mix as well. Beyond this, there are rankings, but generally I think this is when it's best to start looking at specific research interests and potential mentors. UCLA would probably be considered by most to be stronger overall than, say, Boston U, but I don't necessarily think choosing UCLA would be the best option for everybody. You would need to consider specific interests and how they match these two programs. The benefit of the top/biggest programs is that there are large number of high quality faculty with diverse research topics, so coming in as a blank slate, your chances of ending up with a strong mentor and project are greater... Smaller departments with newer programs (like Vanderbilt for example) may have fewer faculty members, so you have less options. However, if you're really interested in a specific area that a particular faculty member works in at a smaller/lesser ranked department, it may be the better option. 

Biostat_Prof has some great comments in past threads about how one's mentor is more important than school rank, and I think they're worth looking up. I remember reading them a few years ago before/right when I started my PhD, and now in my 3rd year, I really understand the truth in everything he said. 

Edited October 6, 2015 by Biostat_student_22