MS Biostatistics Evaluation

[bookworm45]

I am in the process of applying to Masters in Biostatistics programs and would like some application advice/profile evaluation:

Undergrad Institution: Large state school (top 15 public university)
Major: Biology
GPA: 3.61

Type of student: Domestic female
GRE: First attempt: Q: 159, V: 158, W: 5 Second attempt: Q: 158, V: 163 W: N/A

Relevant Courses: Calculus 1 (A), Calculus 2 (A), Statistics 1(A), Statistics 2 (A), Biology 2 (A), Genetics (B+)
On-going: Calculus 3, Intro to Biostatistics (SAS), R 
Planned for Spring 2017: Linear Algebra

Letters of recommendation: 
- Calculus 3 professor (Math Dept) - strong
- Intro to Biostatistics professor (Biostats Dept) - strong
- Sociology PhD student with whom I have done research for about a year and ongoing - strong

Concerns: (1) My GRE quant score is lower than I would like it to be. I may try to take it again, but I won't be able to take it until mid- to late- November which many applications closing on December 1. (2) Additionally, Calculus 3 and Linear Algebra are pre-requistites for all of the programs. Those courses will be in progress at the time of my application. The adcoms will have my Calculus 3 grade (looking to be an A) but not my Linear Algebra grade. I have communicated with every school to which I am applying and they are fine with this. (3) Finally, I will be taking Computational Linear Algebra because my university strictly restricts more proof-based Linear Algebra to Math majors. I am concerned that adcoms will not like this because the course I will be taking is not as proof-based.

Schools:
University of Michigan

University of North Carolina

University of Minnesota

Emory University

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Los Angeles

University of Florida

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[splanga]

Yeah as a fellow M.S. Biostat Applicant, I have the same question too regarding Linear Algebra. I hope someone can comment on whether or not taking computational/applied LA instead of proof-based LA would be at a disadvantage.

If you do wish to take proof-based LA as a non-math major, you could try plead your case to the math department for a registration override. Now the class could have a prerequisite such as Intro Math Proofs, so you'll have to check on that.

Another way to finagle yourself into the class is to declare math as a double-major and then drop it midway through next semester. However, that sounds very disingenuous and would be frowned upon.

Edited October 24, 2016 by splanga

[cyberwulf]

For MS admission, most programs are unlikely to look at your transcript closely enough to see that your LA course was not "proof-based". For typical Masters programs, what you need is familiarity with vectors and matrices; you don't necessarily need a lot of the more advanced topics like vector spaces, projections, etc.

[bookworm45]

21 hours ago, cyberwulf said:

For MS admission, most programs are unlikely to look at your transcript closely enough to see that your LA course was not "proof-based". For typical Masters programs, what you need is familiarity with vectors and matrices; you don't necessarily need a lot of the more advanced topics like vector spaces, projections, etc.

Thanks! That makes me feel better.

Do you recommend that I retake the GRE?

[cyberwulf]

12 hours ago, bookworm45 said:

Do you recommend that I retake the GRE?

That score is probably enough to get you into a decent Masters program; given that you've taken it twice and scored about the same, it seems unlikely that you'll improve your score enough (getting to, say, a 166+) on a retake to make a difference in your chances of admissions.

[bookworm45]

On 10/25/2016 at 2:30 PM, cyberwulf said:

For MS admission, most programs are unlikely to look at your transcript closely enough to see that your LA course was not "proof-based". For typical Masters programs, what you need is familiarity with vectors and matrices; you don't necessarily need a lot of the more advanced topics like vector spaces, projections, etc.

Does my list of schools seem reasonable or should I be applying to some lower ranked schools?

[cyberwulf]

On 11/16/2016 at 9:26 AM, bookworm45 said:

Does my list of schools seem reasonable or should I be applying to some lower ranked schools?

Your list is fine.