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Graduate School Grad Life

By Mike85621
Posted Wed Nov 16, 2005 at 09:44:46 PM PDT
Hi. I am a fourth year Math/CS double major (with a German minor, although I guess that's irrelevant) at Rutgers University. I was strongly considering applying for graduate school (PhD I suppose) and was wondering if perhaps people around here could help me with regard to what type of school I have a chance at making it into. My biggest worry is that I didn't start my major till pretty late, so while I can finish the standard math major requirements plus a few more courses, I don't think that I am really that competitive compared to some grad-bound people I know.

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My overall GPA is pretty decent I suppose (as of end of junior year, since I don't have fall grades yet, I have a 3.855, with a math major GPA of 3.93, albeit I have taken only 6 upper division math classes coming into senior year (5 or so lower division if you count AP credit)  - this fall semester I am taking two, and next spring I will take >= 3, along with a CS class to finish up that major too.  Since it is related to math, I will also state my CS major GPA of about 3.85 or so. So although my grades are decent, I was rejected from our research program over the summer, and I fear that getting math research now may be hard, Plus, I still need to prepare for the math GRE - I don't necessarily want to go to grad school immediately after undergrad, so I guess I can take the GREs later than this December, as if I took them now I'd probably get like a 300! :-) Anyway, I was told that I actually shouldn't hope for much, since by the time I graduate I will only have about 11 upper division math courses, and thus not that strong of an undergrad experience. If it matters, here are those (upper division only) courses, notice especially how I have no experience in areas like topology or differential geometry - so my knowledge definitely has some big gaps.....

Foundations of Math
Advanced Calculus (standard real analysis I)
Cryptography
Intro Abstract Algebra I
Numerical Analysis I
Graph Theory
Theory of Probability
Advanced Abstract Algebra I (i.e. a lot deeper than the intro course)

So I know nothing of topology, geometry, and the like, and my analysis and probability is weak too. Should I stay an extra semester or more to take more courses, like advanced linear algebra and advanced real analysis (I guess multivariate analysis)and maybe diff geometry and topology and pde's?  I have been told that staying over 4 years does not reflect negatively if it is for enrichment, but still, I am worried. Is there also maybe a post-bacc program or the like in math? I am very confused on what I should do. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Sorry this was so long-winded - I guess I can't help it. Even my proofs can be long-winded at times! :-)

< Math and the Computer Science Major | Advice for Job Seekers >
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Graduate School | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 hidden)
[new] Post-bac work (none / 0) (#1)
by solarmist on Fri Nov 18, 2005 at 07:43:28 PM PDT

I'm in almost the same situation. This spring I will be finishing up my CS degree with a math minor and only few upper division math courses by the time I graduate. I know what you mean about the math GRE (I only got in the 500's) My GPA is pretty good too, but my school is not very good (which is also why I'm not just taking those classes at my current school), so I think that'll hurt me more than my GPA.

I've taken:
Advanced Calculus (More like Multivar calc II)
Intro To Abstract Algebra
Statistical Methods (Upper level statistics)
Mathematical Statistics I (Stat/Prob theory I)

So, I'm planning on doing the same thing. I'm planning on applying to another school for a second BS program for a year (summer, fall, spring) to get a stronger base in math. Then I'll take a couple basic upper level courses and jump right into first year graduate courses.

Intro to Analysis (upper level)
Linear Algebra (upper level)
Math Analysis I-II (first year grad)
Linear Algebra (first year grad)
Topology (first year grad)
Intro to Abstract Algebra I-II (first year grad)

I've been told the four most important courses to go into a Ph.D. program with are Analysis, Algebra, Linear Algebra, and Topology. In answer to your question post-bac programs usually just involve going to a school as a non-degree student and taking courses, or apply as a second BS student and taking courses (but not finishing a second degree) until you feel you've taken enough courses, so really there isn't a difference from holding off on graduating or doing post-bac work, unless you want to change schools. My suggestion though is take at least a couple of graduate level courses if at all possible, while not required it looks very good if you can show you are capable of graduate level work.

If anyone else has anymore advise I would appreciate hearing it as well.



The more I learn the more I realize how little I truly know.



[new] It really depends... (none / 0) (#2)
by kroth on Thu Dec 22, 2005 at 12:21:49 PM PDT

on what you want to do. It seems like your background has some holes in pure math and you could fill them before going off to a PhD program ( I went and did the Budapest Semesters in Math program after graduating to add some more math courses and it was quite a good experience for me mathematically and otherwise)
There is the option of doing a master's degree somewhere before going to get your PhD as well, instead of doing a postbac program. Make sure you look for a place where the master's degree is something other than a consolation prize for not finishing the Ph.D. though.

However you don't need to fill all of the holes, for example I sadly never had an undergraduate topology course before having my graduate one. It was rougher, but I survived.

Other things to consider
You may not want to go for pure math, there are applied math, statistics and math heavy computer science programs with a different focus and you'd probably need different course work for them.
If you aren't planning to go to grad school immediately take the GRE now, but worry about the classes the year or two before you go, you'll forget content if you take them much before that.
Also it sounds like you are not absolutely sure you want to do grad school. That will need to be your first decision. Grad school can be pretty rough and so is best done as something you truly know you want to do.



Graduate School | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 hidden)
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