Talk about self-teaching Stat and python?

[Endoxifen]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Would it be weird to talk briefly about having taught myself statistics starting from probability theory, through nonparametric statistics, until I reached graduate level courses (all after having taken an intro course which made me interested)? I'm also teaching myself how to code in python. I did this all to make my research (biostat) easier and open doors to bioinformatics. I think it's pretty cool, but I don't want to come off as conceited.

I wouldn't make this the cornerstone of my application, but I want to mention it.

I should mention that it's possible that one of my recommenders may mention the stat part (former stat prof or current PI).

Thanks!

 

[Endoxifen]

It really doesnt fit anyplace with the possible exception as an EC educational
pursuit.

Is that category typically used for things like this?

 

[efle]

Not an adcom but it would be pretty weird to me to see someone using an AMCAS slot to talk about teaching themselves graduate level statistics

Edit: Like by all means you can include mention of coding and/or analysis you do as part of your research, or talk about it at interview, it's just odd to emphasize the self teaching a subject as its own thing

 

[Endoxifen]

Not an adcom but it would be pretty weird to me to see someone using an AMCAS slot to talk about teaching themselves graduate level statistics

Edit: Like by all means you can include mention of coding and/or analysis you do as part of your research, or talk about it at interview, it's just odd to emphasize the self teaching a subject as its own thing

Maybe I should have clarified. I'm teaching myself a bit of it (cox proportional hazards and the like), but I'm actually going to take the graduate level classes in the next couple semesters.

Edit: I taught or am still teaching the rest to myself.

 

[Lawpy]

Maybe I should have clarified. I'm teaching myself a bit of it (cox proportional hazards and the like), but I'm actually going to take the graduate level classes in the next couple semesters.

Not really worth dedicating a separate AMCAS slot for stats to be honest. You can mention it in your description of research experiences, secondaries and interviews.

 

[efle]

Maybe I should have clarified. I'm teaching myself a bit of it (cox proportional hazards and the like), but I'm actually going to take the graduate level classes in the next couple semesters.

Edit: I taught or am still teaching the rest to myself.

If you're gonna have grad level stats classes on your transcript then def no need to make much of this on your app

 

[Endoxifen]

If you're gonna have grad level stats classes on your transcript then def no need to make much of this on your app

Maybe I'll just write a line about it on my PS. I do this sort of stuff pretty often, so it wouldn't be out of place.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Maybe I'll just write a line about it on my PS. I do this sort of stuff pretty often, so it wouldn't be out of place.

This really isn't as impressive as you think it is. Sorry. I wouldn't waste any space talking about it unless you taught yourself and then published a paper on the topic, in which case list the pub and let it speak for itself.

 

[kb1900]

You can call yourself a self-learner somewhere but I wouldn't do more than that. On the other hand you could list computer science/programming as an EC if you've actually done productive work with your knowledge (analyses, made an app etc)

 

[Endoxifen]

I yield to the popular wisdom. Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[libertyyne]

There are schools that have self learning as one of the desired outcomes, you can speak about that in such a context. It would be best to have tangible projects /outcomes in your app that you can refer it. Show don't tell.

 

[Endoxifen]

There are schools that have self learning as one of the desired outcomes, you can speak about that in such a context. It would be best to have tangible projects /outcomes in your app that you can refer it. Show don't tell.

I have a couple first author papers being submitted in the next month, which use the stat that I learned (admittedly I went a bit more in depth than required). Should I mention it there?

 

[libertyyne]

I have a couple first author papers being submitted in the next month, which use the stat that I learned (admittedly I went a bit more in depth than required). Should I mention it there?

Interviewer: how do you fit the schools mission .
You: well the thing about being life long self directed learners resonated with me , I taught myself some programming language to solve a problem. I applied those skills on research project x, that is now getting published.

 

[Endoxifen]

Interviewer: how do you fit the schools mission .
You: well the thing about being life long self directed learners resonated with me , I taught myself some programming language to solve a problem. I applied those skills on research project x, that is now getting published.

That sounds reasonable. Thanks for the help!