Profile Evaluation for Future Biostat Applicant

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi I am going to be starting my junior year in the Fall. Originally I am a Biochemistry major, however after considering the career prospects for that, I decided to add a math minor and pursue a career in biostats. The minor shouldn't extend my schooling by that long, maybe at most an extra semester But here are my stats:</p>

<p>Undergraduate school: Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Biochemistry major, Mathematics minor
GPA: 4.0 (Biochemistry); (I haven't started most of the mathematics classes yet)</p>

<p>Math classes already taken:
1st and 2nd semester Calculus (As)</p>

<p>Math classes I will take for the minor:
3rd semester Calculus (functions of several variables)
Elementary Matrix & Linear Algebra
2 semesters of probability and mathematical statistics
Theory of single variable calc (it's like calculus but teaching about proofs)</p>

<p>Math electives:
Introduction to Statistics
Intro to Programming
Intro Data Analysis/Learning Statistical Language w/ R
Analysis I (I think this covers real analysis) - not sure if I should take this class as it would push me to do another semester beyond my 4 years (although I have a full tuition scholarship that covers my first 4 years, so its not incredibly bad if I have to do another year, especially if it will get me access to a good grad program)</p>

<p>GRE: haven't taken yet but on practice tests, it has been above 160 Q, above 150V (hoping to increase this)
Experience: Since I am a biochemistry major, I only have lab experience with biochemistry and genetics. I do a little data analysis, but it is very basic (graphing and standard error bars)
I'm a US citizen, female and a minority (Southeast Asian: Vietnamese) if that matters</p>

<p>So I want to apply to masters programs in biostatistics. Will my emphasis on biochemistry be a disadvantage? I'm worried that as only a math minor, I will not be as competitive as math/statistics majors. Should I take any additional courses or experiences to make up for this?</p>

<p>I would like to apply to Wisconsin-Madison's program since I love the city and living here. But am open to applying to other programs as well. Any ideas on some programs that would be good for me? It doesn't have to be any of the top ones, just ones where I will have a good chance.</p>

2

<p>-No, your emphasis on biochemistry won’t be a disadvantage - that’s a plus. A lot of biostats programs emphasize or prefer applicants with some natural science background, because they are easily able to understand the complex language that biomedical researchers will use.</p>

<p>-A math minor is fine. Most stats programs (applied ones that aren’t intended for PhD hopefuls, anyway) only require three semesters of calculus and a linear algebra class; maybe 1-2 semesters of statistics. You have all the recommended classes (mathematical statistics & probability and analysis) AND you know R.</p>

3

<p>Thanks Juillet. I think I will have to take those classes (linear algebra, analysis, and statistics) my senior year, meaning I won’t have grades for them when I apply to the masters program if I were to apply my senior year. Should I finish those classes, wait until the next application cycle and then apply to masters programs?</p>

4

<p>No, you don’t need to wait for the grades to show up. Admissions committees will see these courses listed as planned or in progress.</p>