PhD Biostats Size up

[ScoughS]

+I recently switched from a MD track to a PhD track after realizing I enjoy statistics and research more.

Undergrad Institution:  Liberal Arts School in US(ranked in the 90's by FORBES National Colleges Rankings)
Major: Statistics and Bioinformatics
GPA: 3.354; 3.65 Stats, 3.56 Bioinformatics

Type of Student: Domestic Asian Male

Courses/ Background:

AP Calc BC: 5, Calc III (A-), Biostats 1 (B+), Biostats 2 (A-), Quant Bioinformatics (A-), Differential Equations (A), Linear Algebra (B), SAS programming (A-), Nonparametric Statistics(B+), Number Theory (B+), Introduction to Math Stats(Probability):( A-), Obj Oriented Programming: (A), Discrete Structures: (A), Bioinformatics: (A), Comp Bio: (A)

In progress: Statistical Capstone, Predictive Analytics/Machine Learning

Planning to take: Math Stats
GRE scores:Taking Next Week (Ive scored a 167 on quant, a 5.5 on written, and a 160 on verbal at a practice test without any studying)

MCAT(not that it matters or not): 520(Top 98%)

Research Experience: 1 semester working with UChicago professor on applying statistical genetic framework to public data using R and Python, this was presented at Great Lakes Conference. Statistical Genetics research with a lab since Spring 2014 where I have completed multiple projects. I am being published at the end of this semester, and will be mentioned in my researchers grad students thesis which will be written in the Spring
Other related experience: Very application based programs in Bioinformatics and Stats where I have done programming in R, Python, SAS, C++, Perl, SQL, and Java, Wet lab experience

Honors/Awards: University honors program, dean's list for 2 semester

Letters of Recommendation:

-Research PI

-Research PI from my 1 semester project

-Stats/Biostats professor who I know really well

I am pretty sure my application is not that strong due to my grades. I have been dealing with familial issues(a very sick mother) as well as overloading every one of my semesters with atleast 18 credits so I have 2 semesters where my grades have been bad(in all subjects but Math/Stat/Comp Sci). Most of my bad grades come from Chemistry(A D in biochem, but B+ in retake). 

So my questions are:

1. Should I consider for a masters program instead of a PhD then move onto one

2. Go for 15-25 ranked school for PhD

3. Work a year for experience, take GRE Math subject then apply?

What schools/Programs should I look into as reach, and safety for masters and PhD?

Edited November 16, 2016 by ScoughS
Grammer