Weak background, terrible scores: Suggestions?
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:14 pm
Hi, I am a 2nd year graduate student in a data analytics master program. But I really want to study mathematics so I decided to apply for PhD programs anyway.
The problem is that my background is quite weak, and I am really having a hard time picking up schools to apply for.
My current major interests in Maths are Number theory and abstract algebra. I find them to be very interesting at my very low knowledge level. (one semester of algebra in undergrads and a little knowledge about elementary number theory) ]
So, I did some research and found some schools that have regular seminars in Number theory.
For now, My thought is to pick up 5 schools ranked between 30 and 50, 10 schools ranked between 50 and 100, and 5 schools ranked after 100 or not ranked. And the majority of those schools that I picked should have Number theory seminars.
Please let me know if my selections are too good...Maybe I should mainly apply for schools ranked 80 and after?
Thanks to anyone who read my thread!
Here are some details about my background:
(I just used the code from the thread "2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results," hope that's OK)
Undergrad Institution: small LAC not known out of the state
Major(s): Mathematics
GPA: 3.867
Undergrad Institution: Big state university
Major(s): Data Analytics
GPA: 3.500
Type of Student: International, Asian
GRE Revised General Test:
Q: 170 (98%)
V: 150 (45%)
W: 2.0(02%)
I only spent some time learning vocabularies for the General, so my writing score was really screwed.
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: I took the Oct 25th exam, but I only spent about two week for preparation (due to severe procrastination), so my best estimate would be a raw score around 33 out of 66
Program Applying: Pure Math
Research Experience: None
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list, First year Honor.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: two semesters of Maths tutor
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I have asked two of my undergrads Math professors and one professor from my graduate school that I had taken a programming class with to write me the recommendation letters. But I won't count on my recommendation too much since I am not very familiar with my professors and they are just being nice.
The problem is that my background is quite weak, and I am really having a hard time picking up schools to apply for.
My current major interests in Maths are Number theory and abstract algebra. I find them to be very interesting at my very low knowledge level. (one semester of algebra in undergrads and a little knowledge about elementary number theory) ]
So, I did some research and found some schools that have regular seminars in Number theory.
For now, My thought is to pick up 5 schools ranked between 30 and 50, 10 schools ranked between 50 and 100, and 5 schools ranked after 100 or not ranked. And the majority of those schools that I picked should have Number theory seminars.
Please let me know if my selections are too good...Maybe I should mainly apply for schools ranked 80 and after?
Thanks to anyone who read my thread!
Here are some details about my background:
(I just used the code from the thread "2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results," hope that's OK)
Undergrad Institution: small LAC not known out of the state
Major(s): Mathematics
GPA: 3.867
Undergrad Institution: Big state university
Major(s): Data Analytics
GPA: 3.500
Type of Student: International, Asian
GRE Revised General Test:
Q: 170 (98%)
V: 150 (45%)
W: 2.0(02%)
I only spent some time learning vocabularies for the General, so my writing score was really screwed.
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: I took the Oct 25th exam, but I only spent about two week for preparation (due to severe procrastination), so my best estimate would be a raw score around 33 out of 66
Program Applying: Pure Math
Research Experience: None
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list, First year Honor.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: two semesters of Maths tutor
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I have asked two of my undergrads Math professors and one professor from my graduate school that I had taken a programming class with to write me the recommendation letters. But I won't count on my recommendation too much since I am not very familiar with my professors and they are just being nice.