<p>'m trying to keep my eyes open to things that I wouldn't have considered or thought about. I'm a psyc major graduating a year early. I like numbers and i think i have a liking to statistics so I am currently seriously considering quantitative psychology, except i'm taking a class on testing and measurement (iq tests, personality tests and such) and i'm a little doubtful that I really like this part of quant psych (which is basically 2 parts, test theory and stat for data analysis). I really think biostatistics is interesting because of the material it deals with (in comparison to data generated in psychology departments, some parts of which I really could not get excited about) and I've applied to a short summer program which is like an intro summer school program for people interested in biostat. But I feel that I lack both math (I've taken 2 stat classes in the psych department) and bio (i have credit for 101; i didn't take any more after that because i was eager to finish off my major classes) knowledge and feel that that might be a big obstacle.</p>
<p>If by some miracle I do have a chance, I do plan on taking as many classes in math/stat (refreshing on calc 1 and 2, which i got credit for in high school and going beyond) and if needed, bio, but realistically, does anyone think it would be feasible for me to apply in fall of this year (to start grad school in fall 2013)?</p>
<p>You should take, at minimum, Calculus 3 (multivariable) and linear algebra either before applying or in the year you apply. Also strongly consider taking courses in probability and/or mathematical statistics. Don’t bother taking any additional biology.</p>
<p>With these courses, you’ll at least get a “look” at good biostat programs, assuming your grades in other courses are solid. Many people are accepted at excellent programs each year with only these prerequisites.</p>
<p>thanks for your reply cyberwulf. as i said, my ambition is to apply this year so I can start grad school fall 2013. I know that grad school applications tend to be due near the end of the year or beginning of the next (so end of 2012~early 2013). or am i incorrect on this?
anyway, if i took classes starting this summer or this fall and applied this year, letting schools know i will be taking more classes in spring 2013 (while i wait for news on my appplication), would that be what you meant by “before applying or in the year you apply”? Would graduate schools take into account the classes I will be taking in spring next year while they are reviewing my application (since they wouldn’t be getting a transcript of those ongoing classes or anything)?</p>
<p>If you are planning to take calc 1 this summer, calc 2 in the fall and calc 3 in the spring - and linear algebra sometime in there - then you could apply for biostats programs in the fall. You just have to finish the classes before you begin the program; usually, you list the classes you intend to take on your application.</p>
<p>Your experience is similar to my D, a psych major who developed an interest in stat while taking psych research courses her junior year in college. Her story: She had not taken any math in college because she had AP credit for stat and calculus, which fulfilled her college’s requirements. But in order to take stat courses her senior year so she could go to grad school (Masters Program) in a statistical field, she took another semester of calculus at our CC during the summer between jr and sr year, so by the time she graduated she had 3 recent semesters of math and stat. Also…since some of the programs she was interested in required linear algebra, she decided to take a year off, take linear algebra at the CC, work for a year to earn money, research the available stat programs, and take her time applying (she had arranged for professor recommendations before graduating).</p>
<p>She decided she was especially interested in survey research (aspects of this use her psych background) and applied to the three programs nationally that specialize in that concentration. Since she had no idea what her chances were for those schools, and since, by then, she met the min requirements for several Masters in Statistics Programs, she applied to 5 schools for a stat or applied stat degree.</p>
<p>To our happy amazement, she has been accepted to all 3 of her preferred programs, all with fellowships/research assistanceships/ small stipends in varying degrees. She’s off to Michigan in the fall… the least generous offer but a terrific program.</p>
<p>In the meantime, of the stat programs she applied to, she was accepted at 2, waitlisted at Chicago, rejected by one, and hasn’t heard from the 5th. But…given that almost all of the stat programs offer a concentration in biostat (not all offer concentrating in survey research) you could do well following the course of taking as much math and stat from now on as possible. Good luck!</p>
<p>Biostats is more math-oriented than bio, so if you take additional classes, you should just take math courses instead of bio. To be competitive for biostats, you should get through Calc 2, 3, linear algebra, and some other higher-level classes would make you even more competitive. If you check on the websites for some MS programs in biostats, they usually list their minimum requirements for undergrad coursework. for example, on the georgetown biostats website, they require you to take atleast “Statistics, Multi-variable Calculus, and Linear Algebra”. So you could definitely start grad school in fall 2013 if you start taking these math classes this & next year.</p>