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Will any programs take me with stats this low?

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:49 pm
by MDG817
I graduated this past may and I'm hoping to get into a master's program this fall (ideally applied math). But I'm worried about my stats, and whether I even have a shot at getting in anywhere.

GPA: 3.03
Math GPA: 3.53
Domestic White Male

GRE Revised General Test:
Q: 166 (91%)
V: 162 (91%)
W: 6.0 (99%)
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 470 (8%) Only submitting to UC Davis.

I have no awards or research experience. Though I did do a project for my math modeling course that impressed my professor. He is writing me a letter of recommendation. I have two other recommenders that I think should be solid. I was only a math major for 2.5 years because I switched my major late from biochemistry (I was a terrible biochem student (Ds and Fs in several classes), and it hurt my cumulative GPA.

After switching to math, my semester GPAs trended upward: 3.0, 3.65, 3.70, 3.9, 4.0. Though my math grades were generally good, I have not taken many upper level courses (No algebra or analysis). I mostly took applied classes such as modeling, numerical analysis, stats, etc.

Give me your honest assessment. Do I have a shot at these schools? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

UC Davis - MS Appl Math
UC Santa Cruz - MS Sci Comp and Appl Math
UMass Amherst - MS Appl Math
Wake Forest - MA Math
Western Washington - MS Math
San Francisco State - MS Math

Re: Will any programs take me with stats this low?

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 11:41 pm
by DDswife
I find weird that you got 91% in the Q, and only 8% in the MGRE. Is there a reason you could mention in your application? For instance, were you sick on that day? That might help, I guess. Therwise, try to apply to schools that don’t require MGRE. I don’t know much about applications. Sorry. But I have seen that people that don’t do good usually write a letter explaining what happened.

Good luck,

Re: Will any programs take me with stats this low?

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 12:44 am
by kieroda
DDswife wrote:I find weird that you got 91% in the Q, and only 8% in the MGRE. Is there a reason you could mention in your application? For instance, were you sick on that day? That might help, I guess. Therwise, try to apply to schools that don’t require MGRE. I don’t know much about applications. Sorry. But I have seen that people that don’t do good usually write a letter explaining what happened.
The general GRE math section and the math subject GRE cover pretty different material and have a very different set of people taking them. Also, the subject GRE can pretty rough for anyone without a good amount of preparation and practice tests.

As for OP, I don't know anything about how competitive admissions are for those schools, but I think you should be able too find a program that will accept you (and maybe even pay you). Look for applied math programs that don't require a background in analysis/algebra, like the UMass Amherst masters program. I don't know about the other schools on your list, maybe you have already done this.

Re: Will any programs take me with stats this low?

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 4:30 pm
by MDG817
Unfortunately I don't have a good excuse. I was simply rusty on the calculus and linear algebra material and didn't study enough. I also have not taken abstract algebra or analysis so there were a bunch of questions that I had no idea how to do. As for the general GRE, it's just pre-calc and basic geometry; the math GRE is 100x harder...thankfully UC Davis is the only school on my list that requires it.

Re: Will any programs take me with stats this low?

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:08 pm
by mathisawesome
For a masters, your stats are not abysmal. Plus, the calc sequence and a linear algebra course should suffice for most masters programs. But you should consider the fact that most school don't fund masters students. I don't know anything about these universities, but best check out their funding policy.

Re: Will any programs take me with stats this low?

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:33 pm
by djysyed
MDG817 wrote:The math GRE is 100x harder
The math GRE just tests how well you remember simple techniques and definitions from the standard undergraduate math courses. It really just comes down to remembering what you learned.