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Top Graduate Schools? Grad Life

By solarmist
Posted Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:36:46 PM PDT
I just graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Computer Science and and Minor in Mathematics from University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS is an almost completely unknown school).

Right now I'm taking a year to transition into Math and show that I can handle the work at a decently ranked school (Colorado State University).

This summer I'm taking Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra (took at UIS and they didn't even cover groups, so I need to retake it), and Intro to Analysis to get the basics then this fall and spring I'll be taking the first year grad combinitorics, complex analysis, algebra (Dummit and Foote), analysis (Rudin), and GRE subject test prep courses.

So, I have two questions. First, is this enough to make myself stand out to top universities (provided I do well and get decent recommendations) or if not what else can I do? Second, what would you consider top universities in Math (possibly in Algebra)? Right now the schools I have on my list are UC-Berkeley, UMN - Twin Cities, , UW-Madison, UM - Ann Arbor, and maybe one of the Ivies like Princeton or Harvard.

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< SUBJECT GRE -MATHS | Is this a good study plan for grad school? >
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Top Graduate Schools? | 15 comments (13 topical, 0 hidden)
[new] give up (none / 0) (#1)
by kherrity on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 08:10:01 PM PDT

I think you should just give up. I don't think you're a genius in math, and you will never advance to the front lines - math is too competitive and cut throat for you. I suggest you consider alternatives, like working at McDonalds..?



  • Your right! by solarmist, 06/06/2006 21:10:51 PDT (none / 0)
[new] Personal experience (none / 0) (#3)
by saki606 on Thu Jun 08, 2006 at 08:17:33 PM PDT

Here is an honest answer from some personal experience.

As for the first question: No. The courses you have or plan on taking is at best, a moderate level. It won't really stand out.

As a comparison, I graduated this spring setting the record for the number of graduate courses taken as an undergraduate at my school; this was still not enough for me to crack into the "top 20" schools.
In particular, I covered Dummit and Foote my sophomore year. I went on to cover Hungerford, Issaccs, and a text on universal algebra (personal readings aside). By the way, my main concentration is more topological in nature.

The second question you posed is much more complicated to answer; restricting to algebra is still not enough to say which schools are the "best".

Students, by their nature, will flock to apply to the higher "ranked" schools. These schools have, ofcourse, a very good program. But it may not make sense to go to graduate school at even the very best schools if there is no one studying what you like.

My home institution, the University of Florida for example, is not a very highly ranked school. However, if you want to study finite group theory, there are only a few places in the world that can compete with our faculty members.

To remedy both of the "questions" you have, I would recommend that you study more specialized topics. Try to read research papers, talk to professors, pick up a monograph, do anything you can to find out what it is that you really want to study. This should kill two birds with one stone.

As for myself, I was lucky enough to attend an REU program in geometric group theory. I liked the study, and I applied to the institutions which housed powerful mathematicians in the field. As a reference, I was accepted to UIUC, UC Santa Barbara, Vanderbilt, and a few others. I eventualy chose to go to Vanderbilt; which was the lowest ranking school for which I was accepted. If you look at their faculty, however, you may want to think twice about what rankings really mean.

That said, I know a friend who didn't stand out in school, but entered Berkeley due to his very high GRE score (95, i think).

There are various ways of attacking this procedure, but I hope this helped. Just don't let other people discourage you; mathematics is a beautiful subject, and I have no problem devoting my life to the study. There are many who share the same vision.

Good luck!




[new] Advice (none / 0) (#5)
by Anna on Fri Jun 09, 2006 at 06:20:12 PM PDT

Hi Solarmist,

Why don't you knock on the door of a couple of algebra professors and ask them what they think? This is probably a good thing to do anyway, since you will need references when you apply to grad school and this is one way to get a professor to get to know you.

Don't be embarrassed - they will probably be glad to hear that someone is interested in their research. If they aren't (and there are some like that) then I would bet they are the kind that don't pay enough attention to their students to tell them apart so it really won't matter anyway.

I really can't believe what that first guy said in his comment. Just because you haven't done much math before doesn't mean you're not good at it. And this whole "you have to be a genius to contribute to math research" idea is complete crap anyway. I think the people who perpetuate this myth are just arrogant guys who think they are geniuses but really aren't.

I would say it in stronger language but I don't know if that's allowed :). Good luck.





  • cheers by kherrity, 06/09/2006 19:39:01 PDT (none / 0)
  • Thanks by solarmist, 06/09/2006 20:37:48 PDT (none / 0)
[new] help (none / 0) (#11)
by shawncornerstone on Thu Jul 13, 2006 at 02:54:07 AM PDT

i am a graduate of mathematics with a BSc honor,i have finished about three years ago and am yet to be satisfied in my desired field.If i can see anybody who can get me connected to any mathematics related job internationally i'll be very grateful. thanks adetona o.a my email addy is shawncornerstone@yahoo.com



[new] some keys (none / 0) (#12)
by vizioneer on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 11:20:06 PM PDT

From what I've learned from math grad directors at some top programs, getting A's in core courses such as algebra, analysis, topology, etc. is important along with strong recommendations from those who teach the core courses (preferably from well-known profs), some research experience if you can get it, and doing well on the GRE Math seem to be some keys to being competitive to getting into top programs. I've also seen that a lot of upper ranked programs (even top 40 or 50) have about a 10% acceptance- 250 applicants or so and 20-25 funded admissions. So, it's pretty crazy how many want in to PhD programs, this acceptance rate seems to rival med schools, etc..



[new] No groups?! (none / 0) (#13)
by albertod4 on Mon Jul 31, 2006 at 09:35:08 AM PDT

I concur with most of what has been written before, but one statement stood out enough that I thought it warranted comment. The abstract algebra course at UIS did not cover groups?! Then what did it do? And just to be clear, you are referring to MAT 403?



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