Looking for feedback on my Statistics/Biostatistics PhD school list
Hi everybody. I’ll be applying to 13 PhD programs in stats/biostats this upcoming cycle and wanted to post here to receive any kind of thoughts/feedback on whether my list is reasonably balanced for my profile. I’m particularly interested in whether I’m aiming too high or too low, or if there are any programs I should consider adding or removing. Worth noting is that biostatistics is my preference, though i’m applying to statistics programs where I believe I can work on similar research.
Background
- Domestic undergraduate applicant at small, teaching-focused public university in the northeast.
- Mathematics major with Statistics concentration & computer science minor
- 3.9 gpa
- Departmental honors track which includes a two-semester honors thesis’
- Relevant coursework includes Probability, Mathematical Statistics, Numerical Analysis, Real Analysis 1&2 (to be completed in fall and spring of next AY), Calc 1-3, Linear Algebra, Machine Learning, Data Mining, other intro stats & cs courses
- No GRE currently planned (no schools on list require, though some recommend)
Research
- Participated in summer biostatistics research program at R1 university. My project involved statistical genetics, including genotype QC and statistical analysis of genetic and clinical data.
- Completed a separate funded summer research project involving mathematical modeling of infectious disease outbreaks and machine learning. My honors thesis will be built upon this work.
- Broadly interested in computational/applied statistics, genetics, machine learning, and biomedical applications.
Teaching
- Several semesters of experience as TA for calculus 1/2.
- Also a few semesters of experience in general tutoring which includes intro math & stats classes.
Letters
I expect 2 strong letters and 1 okay letter.
Research Advisor for independent research(
(will speak on research independence and capability for graduate research)calc 1 & 2 professor, will also be analysis 1 & 2 professor (can speak on mathematical maturity and growth)
Probability & Mathematical Statistics professor (professor expressed enthusiasm in writing it for me)
Schools
Biostatistics:
- UNC
- Boston University
- University of Minnesota
- UMass Amherst
- University at Buffalo
- University of Rochester
Statistics:
- University of Toronto
- Virginia Tech
- Boston University
- University of Wisconsin - Madison
- University of Connecticut
- University of Minnesota
Data Science:
- UC San Diego
I’m aware that PhD admissions are unpredictable and I’m not looking for precise admission odds. I’m more interested in whether this looks like a reasonable distribution of reaches/targets and whether there are weaknesses in my profile or gaps in my school list that I should consider.
Since biostatistics is my preference, I’d also be interested in whether people think I should replace any of the Statistics programs with additional Biostatistics programs that would fit my interests.
Any feedback from people familiar with Statistics/Biostatistics PhD admissions would be appreciate!