Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
The purpose of this thread is to vent frustrations and relieve the stress of applications. To keep this thread civilized, we should follow a few rules:
1. No asking for profile evaluations. At the end of the day, we're all undergrads who know almost nothing about how admissions committees work besides what our professors tell us.
2. No bragging about your coursework. Everyone here is nervous about applications so keep in mind that showing off all the fancy terms you learned only makes others feel worse. If you want to show off how much math you know, r/math is the place to be. I know this will be difficult to maintain once everyone begins discussing which schools they're applying to and for what area of math.
3. All information about schools should have cited evidence. For example, telling people that UC Berkeley accepts people with below an 800 on the MGRE without being able to say which professor told you this is in bad taste as other people might believe they have a good chance of getting in. Yes I know someone at UC Berkeley who got a 780 but his coursework and research were phenomenal.
I'm feeling really damn anxious about this MGRE coming up. Was told by the grad director from some of the top 20 schools that they weed out any scores below 800 pretty quickly.
1. No asking for profile evaluations. At the end of the day, we're all undergrads who know almost nothing about how admissions committees work besides what our professors tell us.
2. No bragging about your coursework. Everyone here is nervous about applications so keep in mind that showing off all the fancy terms you learned only makes others feel worse. If you want to show off how much math you know, r/math is the place to be. I know this will be difficult to maintain once everyone begins discussing which schools they're applying to and for what area of math.
3. All information about schools should have cited evidence. For example, telling people that UC Berkeley accepts people with below an 800 on the MGRE without being able to say which professor told you this is in bad taste as other people might believe they have a good chance of getting in. Yes I know someone at UC Berkeley who got a 780 but his coursework and research were phenomenal.
I'm feeling really damn anxious about this MGRE coming up. Was told by the grad director from some of the top 20 schools that they weed out any scores below 800 pretty quickly.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
"I'm feeling really damn anxious about this MGRE coming up. Was told by the grad director from some of the top 20 schools that they weed out any scores below 800 pretty quickly."
Which schools? You don't follow your own advice and provide citations.
Which schools? You don't follow your own advice and provide citations.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
Same here, I've been working very hard the past few semesters on my coursework and research and all that hard work really comes down to how I do on this exam. I've never taken it before but I'm going to take both the September and October exam. Good luck to everyone!djysyed wrote:I'm feeling really damn anxious about this MGRE coming up. Was told by the grad director from some of the top 20 schools that they weed out any scores below 800 pretty quickly.
Also I believe the 800-score weeding out is mostly for pure programs, but I could be wrong here.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
Oh woops, sorry about this. I heard this from UCLA's grad director when I asked him why I got rejected last year. A couple professors at UCB also said this when I visited them, as I was in the area during summer.ponchan wrote:"I'm feeling really damn anxious about this MGRE coming up. Was told by the grad director from some of the top 20 schools that they weed out any scores below 800 pretty quickly."
Which schools? You don't follow your own advice and provide citations.
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Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
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Last edited by clarenthol on Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:05 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
Why are you doing a PhD? If you want to do anything with pure math in the future it will be almost impossible with a PhD from an unknown school.clarenthol wrote:Ok so here's a dilemma that I put myself into. I have an ok profile and my school list is fairly unambitious. In my anxiety before the fall 19 application cycle began I reached out to several nearby unranked programs about my prospects and two have now all but assured me assistantships that would start in January. My top choices however, only accept fall applicants and have much better financial packages if I were to get in at any of them. There is a possibility I could end up having to go to one of these unranked schools anyway in which case it would be preferable to have already started. Are any of you in a similar situation?
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Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
I was in a similar situation once upon a time. I was planning on applying to several schools for fall, but went ahead and applied to one school for January on a whim. They notified me in October/November that they couldn't take anyone in January, but they would definitely take me in the fall. Glad to have a sure thing, I didn't even bother applying anywhere else. It ended up being terrible and I left after a year. here I am, several years later and trying to do this whole thing all over again.clarenthol wrote:Ok so here's a dilemma that I put myself into. I have an ok profile and my school list is fairly unambitious. In my anxiety before the fall 19 application cycle began I reached out to several nearby unranked programs about my prospects and two have now all but assured me assistantships that would start in January. My top choices however, only accept fall applicants and have much better financial packages if I were to get in at any of them. There is a possibility I could end up having to go to one of these unranked schools anyway in which case it would be preferable to have already started. Are any of you in a similar situation?
If nothing else, I recommend applying to several schools and giving yourself options. visit the schools, talk to people. pick a school because it's a good fit, not because it's convenient.
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Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
I took the mGRE this past april. I come from a small liberal arts school and I got a score that is pretty average for our program (less than 40%). I'd like to think I'm a good enough student to go to grad school, have a good amount of math courses and even one reu under my belt but this mGre is really making me doubt. I am registered to take it in a week but I have such senioritis, it's the part of my application I've been focusing on less and have been tossing to the side. Can anyone relate? I am indeed sweating 

Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
Hey man, I know how you feel. There are people at top 30 universities that get in with only 50th percentiles on the MGRE so there's hope!
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
Okay wait so what exactly have you guys heard about cutoffs and such by place? I'm semi-hyperventilating right now
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
When I spoke to someone from Courant I was told most accepted applicants have a mGRE score of at least ~70th percentile.Aramark wrote:Okay wait so what exactly have you guys heard about cutoffs and such by place? I'm semi-hyperventilating right now
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
CU Boulder says on their website that most successful applicants score above 750 (roughly 70th%).Aramark wrote:Okay wait so what exactly have you guys heard about cutoffs and such by place? I'm semi-hyperventilating right now
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Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
I came across this post when I was googling expected Math GRE scores for PhD programs: http://www.mathematicsgre.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3847Aramark wrote:Okay wait so what exactly have you guys heard about cutoffs and such by place? I'm semi-hyperventilating right now
I don’t know how accurate it is, but I found it super helpful. That post was actually how I found this website.
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Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
University of Washinton: GRE Math Subject Test: The majority of applicants admitted to our Ph.D. program score higher than the 70th percentile on the Math Subject GRE, and almost all score higher than the 55th percentile.
Ohio State: The median percentile for domestic students is 67, the one for international students is 95.
University of Georgia: the middle 80% of our entering graduate students since Fall 2010 had GRE scores in the following ranges: Verbal: 144-164, Quantitative: 161-166, Mathematics Subject: 580-736
University of South Carolina: (subject GRE is optional) If you score above 600, include your test score in your application, it will strengthen it. On the other hand, a weak GRE Subject score (below 400) weakens your application considerably.
Ohio State: The median percentile for domestic students is 67, the one for international students is 95.
University of Georgia: the middle 80% of our entering graduate students since Fall 2010 had GRE scores in the following ranges: Verbal: 144-164, Quantitative: 161-166, Mathematics Subject: 580-736
University of South Carolina: (subject GRE is optional) If you score above 600, include your test score in your application, it will strengthen it. On the other hand, a weak GRE Subject score (below 400) weakens your application considerably.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
It's worth noting that these scores aren't always sufficient either. I know someone with a 66% on mGRE, and a 3.9 who was rejected from Georgia last year. It could be the case that these numbers are from several years ago and are now outdated.blahquaker wrote:University of Washinton: GRE Math Subject Test: The majority of applicants admitted to our Ph.D. program score higher than the 70th percentile on the Math Subject GRE, and almost all score higher than the 55th percentile.
Ohio State: The median percentile for domestic students is 67, the one for international students is 95.
University of Georgia: the middle 80% of our entering graduate students since Fall 2010 had GRE scores in the following ranges: Verbal: 144-164, Quantitative: 161-166, Mathematics Subject: 580-736
University of South Carolina: (subject GRE is optional) If you score above 600, include your test score in your application, it will strengthen it. On the other hand, a weak GRE Subject score (below 400) weakens your application considerably.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
THere's also many other factors that go into decisions. From what I know, your letters of recommendation contribute 40%, coursework/grades = 30%, GRE Subject is 20% and Statement of Purpose = 10%. Maybe someone just took really easy classes to boost their GPA but never took core undergraduate classes like Topology or Complex Analysis.ponchan wrote: It's worth noting that these scores aren't always sufficient either. I know someone with a 66% on mGRE, and a 3.9 who was rejected from Georgia last year. It could be the case that these numbers are from several years ago and are now outdated.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
That's not the case with this person. They took hard classes. It's just getting much more competitive each year.
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
Well this is certainly reassuring.ponchan wrote:That's not the case with this person. They took hard classes. It's just getting much more competitive each year.
On a side note, I noticed that schools that we send our GRE scores to receive our two scores at least a week before we have access to them. Is there a way to ask schools to tell us our GRE score?
Re: Fall 2018 Sweat Thread
I got into both Georgia and CU Boulder last year and I had 66 percentile GRE and a 3.6-3.7 GPA. It’s a bunch of factors and luck since different admission committees are going to value different things.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Feels great getting the first round of applications out of the way. Now on to checking gradcafe admissions results every five minutes...
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I’m an engineering student aim for applied math programs while I don’t have GRE sub score, just share to make you guys relax
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Question: Are internationals placed in a different application pool than domestic students in grad pure math admissions? Would funding be the only reason for such a distinction?
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I know there are only a limited number of spots for international students so I would guess so. In general, the internaitonal students are much stronger than the domestic students.
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
From what I understand that is true for public school but not necessarily so at private school.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
It's not true that they're "much stronger", only that they tend to have higher GRE scores, for various reasons.djysyed wrote:I know there are only a limited number of spots for international students so I would guess so. In general, the internaitonal students are much stronger than the domestic students.
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I have to agree. International students have better mGRE and possibly more intense coursework, but this won't make them 'much stronger' necessarily, in my opinion. Applicants from US colleges have better research opportunities (because REU's mostly accept domestic applicants) and perhaps better letters.ponchan wrote:It's not true that they're "much stronger", only that they tend to have higher GRE scores, for various reasons.djysyed wrote:I know there are only a limited number of spots for international students so I would guess so. In general, the internaitonal students are much stronger than the domestic students.
I'm honestly just trying to figure out my likelihood for getting rejected because of a cap on the number of internationals, which I don't believe exists in private schools. Math PhD students at my college (US private) were mostly non-citizens. My list of schools had half private schools half public schools, so we will see how that goes.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Hello everyone
My MGRE score kinda sucks (600-37%) but i will have acquire a Master's degree by July in Pure math (Mention in the application and I sent/upload transcripts to Unis). Does anyone know if that make for the lost ground fro, low MGRE score?
P.s. applying for pure math programs
My MGRE score kinda sucks (600-37%) but i will have acquire a Master's degree by July in Pure math (Mention in the application and I sent/upload transcripts to Unis). Does anyone know if that make for the lost ground fro, low MGRE score?
P.s. applying for pure math programs
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I have an even lower score and am applying as well. I think as long as you feel confident in your other strengths and resulting benefits to the department they will as well.KYDKON95 wrote:Hello everyone
My MGRE score kinda sucks (600-37%) but i will have acquire a Master's degree by July in Pure math (Mention in the application and I sent/upload transcripts to Unis). Does anyone know if that make for the lost ground fro, low MGRE score?
P.s. applying for pure math programs
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Anyone else checking https://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/inde ... a&o=&pp=25 on a daily basis?
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I check it every five minutesdjysyed wrote:Anyone else checking https://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/inde ... a&o=&pp=25 on a daily basis?

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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Yeah me too haha.
Last edited by clarenthol on Sat Jan 26, 2019 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Thanks YoungGunnaMath. I wish good luck with your applications m8
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
What do you all do to pass time during the nervous waiting?
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Math and League of LegendsDoNotMicrowave wrote:What do you all do to pass time during the nervous waiting?
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
has anyone heard anything back from osu yet?
usually their first round of admissions comes out around this time.
usually their first round of admissions comes out around this time.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I have also been waiting for OSU since 1.7, but no one seems to hear from them this year.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
unc and uci have sent out interviews
Last edited by +j on Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Oh dear, I applied to UNC, and I got no interview request.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
When did you apply? I didn't get anything either.+j wrote:unc has sent out interviews
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
i applied early in december, it was one of the first schools i applied to (it was the school with the earliest deadline for me)
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Are you referring to the email from UCI saying "when we've read through all of the applications we'll send interview requests" (which happened on the 5th), or have they already sent out actual interview requests?+j wrote:unc and uci have sent out interviews
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Getting so excited and nervous when receiving e-mails from the program directors. They are really reading applications now. OMG.
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
interview requesthachiryu wrote:Are you referring to the email from UCI saying "when we've read through all of the applications we'll send interview requests" (which happened on the 5th), or have they already sent out actual interview requests?+j wrote:unc and uci have sent out interviews
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I just opened an acceptance email from OSU!!
(International student)


Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Just a word on the UNC interviews, for the people above worried because they haven't heard from the school: as I understood it, the interviews were specifically for potential nominees for a grad school fellowship. They don't interview everyone on their short list for TAships. So have heart! (:
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I just got an interview call from UIUC. Does anyone know if these skype interviews are purely technical, or if they're just to get to know the applicant a little better and possibly gauge language skills? The email says it's only going to be 15 minutes long.
Applying to: UIUC PhD with concentration in risk analytics and acturial sciences
Applying to: UIUC PhD with concentration in risk analytics and acturial sciences
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I am so anxiety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing new on my every application!!!!!
Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing new on my every application!!!!!
Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
I've also heard nothing so far and I applied to 15 schools, but remember that it's still pretty early.lurenjia12138 wrote:I am so anxiety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing new on my every application!!!!!
Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Relax. It's only been a couple of weeks. Most of them probably haven't even looked at your application yet.
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Re: Fall 2019 Sweat Thread
Found this helpful website maintained by Berkeley's math graduate students. https://math.berkeley.edu/~mgsa/