Another Biostatistics MS Profile

[Russell1234]

I'm in my 4th year of undergrad right now. I decided to stay a 5th year to turn my math minor into a major and because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after graduation. I've decided to go into biostatistics as my favorite parts of economics were my econometrics classes and my health economics class was super interesting. My math grades aren't stellar, but at the lower levels I have good grades. At the higher levels they started to slip. I tried to take graduate classes to compensate, but the result was mixed. Improved on my probability, but real analysis was tough (Used Rudin. Half the class failed, and I was the only UG in the class). The reason is because I lost focus. I was planning to do an Econ PhD, but as I neared graduation that seemed less appealing. I know I don't have a good shot at a good PhD program, so my plan is to get my MS in a good program if possible, do well, then apply for a PhD. Money is not an issue, as I'm graduating without student loans.

 

Undergrad Institution: Ranked~70 State School
Major(s): Mathematics, Economics
Minor(s): Philosophy
GPA: 3.7, Math: 3.4

Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE General Test: (Not Yet Taken)
Q: 
V: 
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Programs Applying: Biostatistics MS

 

Research Experience:  Thesis in Economics. Used Stata to do a panel regression using real world data. Nothing interesting, but gave me solid experience with data cleaning and regression.

 

Computer Programming: R, Stata

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Cum Laude (expected)

 

Letters of Recommendation: 

1 Research Adviser

2 Math Professor who taught me Graduate Probability Theory

3 Econ Professor in Health Econ

Math Classes: 

Calc III(A), Linear Algebra (A), Probability(C), Real Analysis (B), Mathematical Statistics (B+), Graduate Real Analysis (C), Graduate Probability (B+), Econometrics I, II (Both A)

Schools:

UNC

UMich

UPenn

Columbia

GWU

Pitt

Rutgers

Drexel

NCSU

BU

My end goal is to work in the private sector/government. I am interested in academic research, but I don't think I'll want to do it long term. Any and all suggestions for schools would be appreciated. I'd like to stay nearish to the east coast, but if there is a particularly good program I'd be willing to move further.