MS Statistics or Biostatistics programs to apply to

juillet
Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:28:24 +0000

When you read things online, consider the source and how sensible the advice seems. I’m not sure where you read that “most master’s programs only consider you if you have over a 3.7,” but that’s not true. A 3.7 is a high cutoff even for a PhD program, much less a master’s program, and there are lots of master’s programs who consider most applicants with a 3.0+ (especially depending on the rest of their application).

Unless you see a cutoff on the program’s website, assume there is none.

I’d build your list not based only on the rankings from U.S. News, but also on your interests and what you want to learn more about. Almost all statistics programs are going to have basic classes in most of those areas, but you may find that some programs/universities have more strengths in machine learning and data science; some may have more coursework and research into nonparametric methods (especially if they have a strong biostatistics concentration); some may have more of a research design emphasis (where you can find classes on sampling and design of experiments). So hit the list and start investigating each program’s specialties, faculty, concentrations, course catalogs, etc.

I wouldn’t rule out the top statistics programs. You didn’t say what your cumulative GPA is (I’m guessing somewhere in the 3.0-3.3 range?) but if your statistics major GPA is 3.5+ you’re in a good spot. You’ll also have done a biostatistics summer internship. Are you doing any research or anything else that may contribute to your application? Think about those things, too - they matter!