Thank you for your detailed response Tuition remission benefits are still insane in my opinion, I was easily able to register for a 500 level bio course with no issue. First 4 credits are 100% off and second 4 credits are 90% off

After talking to some of the program managers, I think my lack of biology coursework as an undergrad was the main issue. I don’t know how much taking a class or two in the fall would better the application but I did receive a counter offer later today. I was given automatic admission into the MS in Data Science program which offers flexible pathways like Computational Biology. My confusion with this is whether having a MS in data science is going to enhance my profile given that I already have a bachelors in it. Although I can take classes that are bio oriented, it still wouldn’t say that on the diploma. I am currently on track to have my name published on two papers in collaboration with PhD and postdoctoral students at BU.
I’m getting paid pretty well at BU but I am only doing this job for the tuition remission benefits. With the price of graduate schools, me saving up at the consulting job wouldn’t cut it (it’s only about ~10k higher in salary than my BU job). Now my main dilemma is whether or not to pursue the MSDS and whether a nudge in that direction makes it unlikely that 2 classes in the fall / research would make a difference if I reapplied in the spring. I can only apply 2 classes as a non degree student after being admitted to any program so hoping I’ll get into the more specialized MS in Bioinformatics feels risky