<p>I'm going to be attending UNC in the fall, and although I am undecided about my choice of major, I'm interested in biostatistics. I was wondering if anyone could give me any information about the biostatistics major at UNCwhat it's like, how competitive it is, etc. I've read all about it on the UNC School of Public health website. I'm going to UNC for undergrad, so I would be getting a bachelor's degree in biostatistics. I understand that I have to apply for this program for my junior/senior year. How big is the programand how difficult is it to be accepted? And would biostatistics be a good choice for undergrad if I'm interested in getting a Master's degree in epidemiology? Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>I think you can major in biostatistics as an undergrad, and you have to apply to the school of public health your sophomore year. I’d highly recommend doing anything at the school or public health. it might be UNC’s best kept secret. Number 2 or 3 in the nation, right up there with Harvard and Hopkins.</p>
<p>It is getting more competitive to get ion the school though. Because more and more people are learning about the opportunities there.</p>
<p>The biostatistics program is extremely small (I think there are <10-20 students each year in the biostat program). It’s not terribly competitive to get in though, because not too many people apply in the first place (because the math requirements are so intense, so there’s lots of self-selection/weedout before actually applying to the program).</p>
<p>I will say this. UNC’s biostatistics program is terrific and will open a world of opportunities for you. For instance, my friend (who is a biostat major) has just been hired to work in a lab that’s tasked with finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Also, I think if you graduate from UNC’s biostat program and are accepted to the MPH program, then you only have to complete one year of study (instead of the standard two) to receive your MPH. Personally, I think biostat would be a very good choice for an undergraduate major if you want to go into epidemiology. My friend describes the difference as this:
“Epidemiology is designing public health studies while biostat is the analysis of data from said studies.”</p>