Page 1 of 1

Fall 2022 Profile Review

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 3:32 pm
by Cophysneurec
Hello everyone, I am a domestic student with interests in applied math. I want to study optimal control theory, networks/graph theory and the applications of these areas to computational neuroscience. I have found some schools that seem like a good fit, but I have no idea if I stand a chance with any of them. Do I have any chances of getting into the schools I list? What other programs should I consider?

Undergrad Institution: UCLA.
Post-bacc: University of Oregon, UCSD, UCLA
Major: Economics
GPA: 3.4 Overall, 3.85 last 100 credits (senior year and post-bacc)
Math Courses by year:

1st-- Calc 1 (B-), Calc 2 (B), Calc 3 (C)
2nd-- Calc 4 (C-)
3rd-- None
4th+-- Linear Algebra (B+), Differential Equations (A-)

Post-bacc: Real Analysis (A), Graduate Topology 1 (A), Graduate Real Analysis 1/2/3 (A/A/A), Extremal Combinatorics and Graph Theory (A), Mathematical Modeling (A), Abstract Linear Algebra (A), Electrodynamics Optics and Relativity (A), Probability Theory 1 (A), Abstract Algebra 1 (A), Optimization (A), Introduction to Networks (A)

Programming: Python (1 yr professional + neuro research/coursework), R, Stata, Excel.

GRE Q/V/W: 168/164/4.5

GREm: N/A

Programs Applying: Applied Math PhD (computational biology/neuro specialization, optimal control, networks/graph theory)

Research Experience: over 1 yr neuro research at excellent lab with solid writing sample to show for it, extensive programming, data analysis and literature reviews. About 1 year with business school professor at high-ranking program with 2 coauthored papers in behavioral psychology.

Work Experience: Close to 1 year work experience as Analyst where I did ARMA forecasting, market research and data automation for a startup. Part-time grant proposal, data visualization and analytics pipeline work (for business school letter-writer).

Letters of Recommendation: One rec from Graduate Real Analysis 1/2, one rec from business school professor, one rec from head of neuroscience lab.

Research interests: Computational neuroscience, networks and complex dynamics, graph theory, optimal control theory

School List (so far):

UC Boulder
UC Davis
Ohio State University
UCSD
UW
USC

Concerns:
Calculus grades, overall gpa. :( Let's just say I did not have it together in early undergrad... I'm wondering if it's a good idea to take mGRE, or should I use my time to take more probability and abstract algebra?

Re: Fall 2022 Profile Review

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:57 pm
by lebesgueboy98
I think the mGRE sucks, but if you want to make up for your calculus grades, studying for the mGRE might be a good idea (as it is lots of calculus, DEs, linear algebra, and some other advanced topics too). But, people know this exam is HEAVY on the calculus problems, so if you can do really well on that it might show a committee that you can make up for the low grades in calculus early on in your undergrad. Still, though, your more recent grades are much better and show improvement in performance. This is a great sign. If you can do both (study for mGRE and take another advanced class or two), that'd be best :D

Re: Fall 2022 Profile Review

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 11:43 am
by Cophysneurec
Thank you for your advice.

Do I have chances at any of the schools I’ve listed? Are there any less competitive programs I should be considering?

My guess is that I have a good chance at USC, UCD and Boulder, but this is just a guess.

Re: Fall 2022 Profile Review

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 6:17 pm
by lebesgueboy98
Cophysneurec wrote:
Mon Feb 01, 2021 11:43 am
Thank you for your advice.

Do I have chances at any of the schools I’ve listed? Are there any less competitive programs I should be considering?

My guess is that I have a good chance at USC, UCD and Boulder, but this is just a guess.
I can't really say what your chances are to these schools as I am not familiar with nor did I apply to any of them. I think you have in general a good profile, but I'll let others chime in as to what they think your chances are at those schools in particular. Good luck!