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What does it take to make a good grad school application?

Undergrad Life

By solarmist
Posted Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 02:18:43 PM PDT

I'm currently an undergrad at the University of Minnesota and am working on getting my BS in Computer Science then finishing my Math degree and I want to go to grad school to get my Ph.D in Mathematics.

So, I was wondering what makes a strong application to grad school? I'm a decent student, but I've never been terribly concerned about grades (I know that's gonna bite me in the butt though). I started off a little shakey (B/B- average), but now I'm getting B+'s and above in my upper level courses. Beyond grades what can I do to make my application stand out? And what Math courses should I take before I graduate? I have no problem doing the work and I generally enjoy the courses, I just don't have stellar grades.

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What does it take to make a good grad school application? | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)

[new] A few things.... (none / 0) (#1)
by kroth on Mon Dec 20, 2004 at 07:38:52 PM PDT

I have been told that letters of reccomendation count for a lot (and perhaps more than your grades, although that may vary by undergrad intstitution)
As for courses it depends whether you will be pure or applied in graduate school. If pure you will probably want to take more analysis, algebra, or topology. If applied analysis, numerical analysis, or differential equations. If you have a graduate program in mind, have a look at what math subjects the qualifying exams are in and take more of those.
You may wish to go to a more friendly rather than competative graduate program as well. There was some discussion of this on the site here.
I recommend Krantz's book called a mathematicians survival guide: graduate school and early career. While it is not perfect it has lots of good advice.
My undergraduate grades were not the highest either, so that is certainly not all a grad school looks at in a canidate.

[new] Why do you want to go to grad school? (none / 0) (#2)
by Anonymous Hero on Sun Dec 26, 2004 at 02:23:56 PM PDT

Here's the real harsh question that I think any faculty member will ask themselves seeing your grades: Why does someone who either doesn't want to put in the time or doesn't have the ability to get A's in math want to go to graduate school? I think you need to answer this question preferably via one of your letters of recommendation from a faculty member. Are you really good at proofs but dislike exams with time pressure? Have you been overwhelmed with family or work study responsibilities? Have your grades been improving through the years? You need to impress three faculty members and get them to write something really special about you as a graduate student. Remember, the first year of graduate school is preperation for intense exams. Beyond that, mathematics is really about study for its own sake and writing proofs. You need to convince them you can get past those exams (which usually do not have time pressure). You need to convince them than you can and want to do research mathematics. And, if you have more talent/interest in one field of math than another apply to a program that specializes in that area and emphasize the point. If you come across as a B student who wants to continue being a B student in grad school. That really doesn't cut it. Generally top students as undergrads descend to B students in grad school and need to struggle to build themselves up. The key is to convince them that you may have been a B undergrad but your skills are in a direction which indicate that it is undergrad style education that has hurt you.

REUs by Anonymous Hero, 12/26/2004 14:49:31 PDT (none / 0)

[new] SROP, REU and other programs (none / 0) (#4)
by Vanes63 on Tue Feb 01, 2005 at 04:18:35 PM PDT

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but grades aren't everything. I'm an undergrad math major myself and I consider myself grad-bound. I don't have stellar grades, but that is actually because my professors give us a hard time and don't let us get off easy. It's nearly impossible to get "A's" in specific classes at my institution, Liberal Arts or not. But one thing I have learned about the graduate school application process is that there are things you can do to strengthen your gaps. Consider participating in a summer research program. Use google (AMS and NSF have sites that have some information, but google gives you a broader search, so check all three) and search for "Summer Research Mathematics" (in will be omitted in your search anyways) or some combination of something like that. Last summer I participated in a wonderful program at MSU, the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program / Summer Research Opportunities Program. There are a SLEW of programs just like this (this one is multi-disciplinary, so if you go somewhere like this be prepared to be around lots of Psychology majors and the like). SROP with the Committee on Institutional Cooperation involves all the big ten schools (Penn State, U of M, MSU, Univ. of Iowa, U of Minnesota, etc.) and the Chicago schools. One application gets sent to these approximately 12 schools (or you choose where it gets sent). http://www.cic.uiuc.edu/ There are a bunch of research programs you can look into. Like one of the other posts said, if you want to get a Ph.D. in math, you have to be prepared to do research. I'm actually thinking with your computer background, you may consider Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Their program is pretty computer-friendly (I'd say intensive, but that's because I'm into computers but not THAT much). They have a summer program too. But you just find these things out by searching for them. I've also heard that a lot of programs like for students to take one or two analysis courses before they graduate. While I can only take one actual course and then will resort to independent study like I did with other topics of interest for me, you might be able to squeeze them in. STUDY for the GRE general and the subject test. A lot of math people don't study for the general thinking that they will do well and will make the most common errors, which don't speak well of you. Also, work on your relationships with your professors. One, you never know when having a friend can help you so you should always be nice to people and two, these people will be writing letters of recommendation for you. The more they like you and know you, the better they can speak for you and your abilities as a mathematician. One thing that was told to me by my biggest mentor and the person who I listen to the most was something to the effect of, "if you are going to do something, do it well. If you want to do math then just DO MATH and don't get distracted with other things." So if you even do independent research to look into an area of math you might be interested in, put your heart and mind into it and over time you will be rewarded. Math is self-rewarding and I think you know that, otherwise I don't quite understand why you would consider a Ph.D. in math. That's why we are all here, right? To learn math and help each other out. Well, if you would like more advice or maybe I need more advice. If anyone wants to comment or e-mail me, you have my info on the top of this post, I'll respond ASAP. - Vanes.

What does it take to make a good grad school application? | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)

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