Pure Math Master's student seeking advice on phd application

Forum for the GRE subject test in mathematics.
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algebra_cat
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:37 pm

Pure Math Master's student seeking advice on phd application

Post by algebra_cat » Sat Sep 02, 2023 6:52 pm

I am an incoming master's student in pure math interested in a PhD program. I would like advice on how I should plan my two years of study (or really only one year because of the application deadline) to maximize my chances of getting in. Any insights would be appreciated.

Some background context: Because of a lack of information and other variables outside of my control, my first round of applications (fall 23) did not go well. Although I got into every single Master's program I applied to (a mix of public and private, prestigious and non-prestigious), I got rejected to every single Ph.D. program (Only top-tier private schools: Stanford, brown, etc.).

Here are some of my Info:
Undergrad Institution: Top Public University (In U.S.)
Major(s): Pure Math
GPA: 3.86 out of 4.00
Type of Student: International, Asian, Female
Any Other Miscellaneous Points: First Gen, Transfer Student. The GPA above is the GPA after I transferred (It doesn't include my community college GPA).

Master's Institution: Non-prestigous (at all) Public School (US News Ranking 100+, QS 300+), has thesis option. allows Master's transfer to PhD. Not a lot of class choices (But I feel like this is quite universal among schools?? A lot of classes won't be offered regularly even if they are on the catalog).

GRE General Test:
169/170 (93%) on the Quantitative Part
Pretty low on the Verbal Part (52%), and Writing Part (around 40%)
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: None taken

Program Applying: Pure Math
Research Interest (not changing): Algebraic number theory and representation theory. Langlands's Program (would like to focus more on elliptic curves stuff), arithmetic geometry.

Research Experience: None. Only have done two reading courses relevant to my research interests. No publication. No papers of any sort.
Other experiences might help: Some math tutoring and English tutoring.

Before you ask why I had no research experience, here are some reasons:
1. I am not qualified for REU (or any similar opportunities) because I am an international student.
2. I was short on time in my undergrad institution because I am a transfer student. I only had two years to take advanced math courses and completing other degree requirement, which doesn't go well with the fact that the bar of pure math research is very high (and need a lot of time to reach). To put it into perspective, while my non-transfer-student peers were taking grad-level math courses, I just began to take Intro to Proofs. Moreover, the Profs at my undergrad institution typically don't give undergrad research opportunities unless they are extremely far ahead (at least a year of grad-level math courses experience and some relevant topic courses).
3. My academic interests are strictly in pure math, which just makes it harder in general to get research opportunities compared to applied math.


Math courses:
(undergraduate upper-div) : Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Differential Geometry, Number Theory, Mathematical Logic, Graph Theory, Cryptography, Linear Algebra.

(graduate) Planning on taking real analysis and abstract algebra sequences in my first year. I may take (or audit) topic courses about algebra if time allows.

Edit: Adding Information of letter of recs in my fall23 application round:
one from a lecturer who knows me very well
one from an associate prof.who I have taken a class related to my research interests
one from an assistant prof. who I have taken a class in math but unrelated to my research interest.

About getting letter of recs: I feel this is very difficult in a sense that I only had one year in my undergrad to form relationship with any faculty (since I am a transfer student); and now I am essentially facing the same situation again (because of the length of the master's program). Any advice on making connections with faculty and getting letter of recs would be appreciated!!
Last edited by algebra_cat on Wed Sep 06, 2023 11:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

MathDad
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:49 pm

Re: Pure Math Master's student seeking advice on phd application

Post by MathDad » Wed Sep 06, 2023 10:31 pm

From reading the posts here on this board, it seems that the biggest factors are the letters of recommendation. You should seek out recommenders that can speak to your ability to do math research. This is true for the more prestigious institutions.

Your stats look good, but you should consider a range of schools including some safeties.

Try asking some specific questions on this board. You may get more replies than a vague question. Perhaps you can ask (or search for) if anyone has applied as a community college transfer student.

algebra_cat
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:37 pm

Re: Pure Math Master's student seeking advice on phd application

Post by algebra_cat » Wed Sep 06, 2023 11:10 pm

MathDad wrote:
Wed Sep 06, 2023 10:31 pm
From reading the posts here on this board, it seems that the biggest factors are the letters of recommendation. You should seek out recommenders that can speak to your ability to do math research. This is true for the more prestigious institutions.

Your stats look good, but you should consider a range of schools including some safeties.

Try asking some specific questions on this board. You may get more replies than a vague question. Perhaps you can ask (or search for) if anyone has applied as a community college transfer student.
Hi, thank you for your reply. I added my letter of rec information in the original post. Also, what are some safe schools according to my stats? As for the community college transfer one, I feel like I am giving up on that one. My undergraduate institution has an enormous math department, yet I was not able to find any other transfer student majoring in pure math.

MathDad
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:49 pm

Re: Pure Math Master's student seeking advice on phd application

Post by MathDad » Wed Sep 06, 2023 11:35 pm

Have you tried looking at the various Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results threads? I think you will get better answers by looking at the profiles there in regard to what schools fit your profile. My son just finished an REU this past summer and he is applying this year. He got a ton of advice from his advisor regarding the application process. If you are still in Berkeley (I assume from your post), I can connect you if you're interested.

algebra_cat
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:37 pm

Re: Pure Math Master's student seeking advice on phd application

Post by algebra_cat » Thu Sep 07, 2023 12:10 am

MathDad wrote:
Wed Sep 06, 2023 11:35 pm
Have you tried looking at the various Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results threads? I think you will get better answers by looking at the profiles there in regard to what schools fit your profile. My son just finished an REU this past summer and he is applying this year. He got a ton of advice from his advisor regarding the application process. If you are still in Berkeley (I assume from your post), I can connect you if you're interested.
I did look at the profiles, but I feel they are not really referencable to me because my situation is too unique in my opinion: most of the the students on these profiles have (multiple) research experiences. For the rest of them, even if they don't have publications, they have done some sort of project. They also have taken grad courses as an undergrad. None of these things apply to me. And, sadly, I am not currently in Berkeley area. I would love to seek information from my advisor too, but unfortunately, it is typical that master's students don't get advisors.




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