2024 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[logarythm]

Undergrad Institution: Big state, not known for math
Major(s): Math, Business Administration
Minor(s): Computer Science
GPA: 3.96
Math GPA: 4.00
Type of Student: Domestic white female

No GREs

Program Applying: Ph.D. (discrete math, algorithms, TCS)

Research Experience: 2 yrs research at my undergrad university in Algorithms; first author on submitted paper but no pubs
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: full-ride to undergraduate institution, Goldwater scholar, summer research fellowship at undergraduate institution
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: tutor for 1 year, data science intern for 3 years
Math Courses Taken: Just the usual undergraduate courses. Will graduate having taken graduate courses in Real Analysis (2 semesters), Graph Theory, Combinatorics, Algorithms
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: some recommenders are alumni, but I don’t think that’s uncommon enough to matter; 4 LORs
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: NSF GRF applicant. I mention that I went into college thinking I wanted to be a business major, changed my mind, but then needed to keep the major in order to keep my scholarship. Still, I think being a business major will hurt. Also, I think it could hurt that my research experience is a bit different from the interests I talk about in SOP. Don’t know if this matters but all of my submissions were very close to the due date.


Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)

Donation:
UIUC - Computer Science Rejected
MIT - Math Rejected 2/9
Carnegie Mellon - ACO, Computer Science Rejected
Carnegie Mellon - ACO, Math Rejected 2/28

Reach:
BU - Computer Science invited to interview 1/27 (bombed interview; expecting rejection) Rejected
UIUC - Math Rejected 2/9
Brown - Computer Science Rejected
Cornell - CAM waitlisted with supposedly high priority 2/2

Match:
Tufts - Computer Science Accepted! 2/7
UConn - Computer Science Accepted! 2/5
U Nebraska Lincoln - Math Accepted! 3/1
current institution - Math Accepted!

NSF GRFP -

Just want to put this out there in case others are coping with something similar: Most of my mentors at my undergrad institution said they expected I'd get in to a prestigious PhD program after winning a Goldwater scholarship. While I'm personally excited about the acceptances I got, the reality is that I didn't get in to any programs of the caliber my mentors expected. I feel like I really let them down. I also know that most past winners did go on to really prestigious PhD programs, so the whole outcome has really amplified the impostor syndrome I felt when I was awarded the scholarship.

[itis0k74]

Undergrad Institution: Top 5
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Philosophy
GPA: ~3.5
Math GPA: Undefined
Type of Student: Brown Female

GRE Revised General Test: N/A
Q: N/A
V: N/A
W: N/A
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: N/A
M:cN/A

TOEFL Score: N/A

Program Applying: Pure Math

Research Experience: Due to covid could not do research after my freshman year. in the summer of my sophomore year, I participated in a research (reu) in number theory and we wrote up a paper and I presented our work at a T25 school. in the summer of my junior year, I participated in an reu at a T10 university and we wrote up a paper, continued working on it through the fall, and finalizing it to submit to arxiv. I did 3 reading classes with 3 different professors at my university. I also participated in the Arizona Winter School in my junior year. and I did a DRP in my second year.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Graduating with honors. highest-ranked scholarship for all 4 years of college. a prestigious fellowship awardee. first place in national math olympiad in high school.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: junior tutor for calculus 1 and 2 and reader for intro to proofs
Math Courses Taken: calculus, real analysis, complex analysis, mathematical probability, statistical methods, point set topology, measure and integration, discrete math, linear algebra, abstract algebra, rep theory, logic, 3 reading classes.
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: I think I explored a broad range of math topics. one of the reading classes I did with a professor that is the best in this subfield which was a kind of a continuation of what I learned in that reu, and I got a rec letter from him.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:maybe my background? and also had 4 rec letters. 3 from profs I did reading classes with and the fourth is from my research mentor from that reu

Applying to Where:
Harvard
MIT
Stanford
UChicago rejected
UC Berkeley
UC San Diego
Yale
Columbia
UPenn
Brown rejected
Dartmouth
Duke
Johns Hopkins
Northwestern rejected
UT Austin
Rice
NYU
Stony Brook
Purdue
University of Toronto
University of British Columbia
Washington University
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Utah
Vanderbilt University

[bujiaohumandum3]

Undergrad Institution: US Public Univ
Major: pure math
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: 3.75-3.80
Math GPA: 3.9
Type of Student: International

GRE Revised General Test:
Did not use in most applications

GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
Did not use in most applications

TOEFL Score: N/A

Program Applying: Pure Math

Research Experience: 2022 summer: online; 2022-2023 school year: independent reading and research; 2023 summer: independent reading and research; 2023-2024 school year: independent reading and research. Topics are/were discrete math oriented.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: N/A
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: N/A
Math Courses Taken: Undergraduate: abstract algebra (year-long), real analysis (year-long), honors graph theory, enumerative combinatorics, probability, numerical analysis - linear algebra, complex analysis, introduction to proofs;
Graduate: probabilistic methods in combinatorics, abstract algebra (year-long), linear algebra, real analysis, probability, topics in combinatorics, algebraic topology (almost year-long).
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: My main research mentor-recommender has recently published a breakthrough in their field (if it really counts as a help).
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where: (Note: MS - masters and equivalent degree programs)
Stanford - Mathematics PhD
Univ of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Mathematics PhD
Georgia Tech (GT) - Mathematics PhD
Rutgers - New Brunswick - Mathematics PhD
Univ of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) - Mathematics PhD
Univ of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) - Mathematics PhD
Caltech - Mathematics PhD
Yale - Mathematics PhD - Rejected 2/1
MIT - Mathematics PhD
Carnegie Mellon Univ (CMU) - Mathematics PhD
Emory - Mathematics PhD

ETH Zurich (ETHZ) - Mathematics MS
EPFL - Mathematics MS
Univ of Waterloo - Combinatorics and Optimization MS (thesis)
Oxford - Mathematics MS
Cambridge - Mathematics MS (Part III) - Rejected 1/30
McGill - Mathematics MS (thesis)

[geographyfloor]

Undergrad Institution: Large US State School
Major: Mathematics
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Revised General Test: Did not take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not take

Program Applying: Math/Applied Math

Research Experience: Two reading courses with a professor (one in probability theory/stochastic calculus, one in dynamical systems), good REU program (resulted in submitting a paper, currently working on second/third), project with professor (no publication)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list several times, invited to department dinner
Activities or Jobs: Worked at local tutoring center
Math Courses Taken: Advanced Calculus, Real Analysis I/II, Abstract Algebra, Group Theory, Statistics, Partial Differential Equations, Computational Methods Class
Graduate Courses Taken: Two PDEs courses (one more pure, one more applied), ODEs
Things That Help Applications: Letters from professors from different schools with really good connections and lots of research/citations, applied to NSF GRFP (supposedly a strong candidate according to letter writers)

Applying to Where: (All PhD programs)
Duke - Interview (1/12), Admitted (1/31) (Attending!)
Minnesota - Admitted (1/25)
Wisconsin - Waitlisted (2/9)
Home University - Admitted (2/20)
Purdue - Admitted (2/14)
NC State - Admitted (1/29)
Iowa State - (Withdrew)
UNC Chapel Hill - Invited to visitation weekend (1/31) Admitted (3/2)

[HyperCar2022]

Undergrad Institution: Best in the country
Major(s): Mathematics and Computer Science
GPA: 4.00
Type of Student: International Male

GRE Revised General Test: didn't take

GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 900 (93%)

TOEFL Score: 106

Program Applying: Number Theory and Algebraic Geometry

Research Experience: multiple published papers in analytic number theory.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for multiple core courses for undergraduates.
Graduate Math Courses Taken: Commutative Algebra, Algebraic Geometry, Algebraic Number Theory, Arithmetic of Elliptic Curves,...
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: read multiple classic papers on modular forms, modular curves, and Galois representations; read 1 influential algebraic geometry paper; recommenders know me well.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: selected to write IMO TSTs (team selection tests) multiple times.

Applying to Where:
Harvard - Rejected (Jan 30th)
Princeton -
Stanford -
MIT - Admitted (Feb 2nd)
UChicago - Admitted (Jan 8th)
Columbia -
UMichigan - Interview (Jan 31st)
UCSD - Admitted (Jan 26th)
UToronto -
Cambridge Part III -
UBonn (Masters) - Admitted (Jan 30th)

congrats on MIT! Did the offer letter mention if pure and applied decisions are released together?

[deligne]

congrats on MIT! Did the offer letter mention if pure and applied decisions are released together?

Thanks!! The offer letter doesn't contain the words "pure" or "applied" so I am afraid I can't help you.

[sotinai]

Undergrad Institution: Large US State School
Major: Mathematics
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Revised General Test: Did not take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not take

Program Applying: Math/Applied Math

Research Experience: Two reading courses with a professor (one in probability theory/stochastic calculus, one in dynamical systems), good REU program (resulted in submitting a paper, currently working on second/third), project with professor (no publication)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list several times, invited to department dinner
Activities or Jobs: Worked at local tutoring center
Math Courses Taken: Advanced Calculus, Real Analysis I/II, Abstract Algebra, Group Theory, Statistics, Partial Differential Equations, Computational Methods Class
Graduate Courses Taken: Two PDEs courses (one more pure, one more applied), ODEs
Things That Help Applications: Letters from professors from different schools with really good connections and lots of research/citations, applied to NSF GRFP (supposedly a strong candidate according to letter writers)

Applying to Where: (All PhD programs)
Duke - Interview (1/12), Admitted (1/31) (leaning towards attending)
Minnesota - Admitted (1/25)
Wisconsin -
Home University -
Purdue -
NC State - Admitted (1/29)
Iowa State -
UNC Chapel Hill - Invited to visitation weekend (1/31)

Question: Should I choose Minnesota or Duke? Leaning more towards Duke cause of stipend and location, but how do the departments/program name recognition compare?

Duke cuz I wanna go to Minnesota XD

[ThrowawayForApplied]

Removed by User

[coffeebeanbag]

Hello, I noticed a few people here got unofficial admits for USC? What was the email structure? I got one saying they were extremely excited about my application, but was unsure if it was a general spam email or unofficial acceptance email.

It begins like this "The USC Mathematics Graduate Admissions Committee has reviewed your file, and we are extremely enthusiastic about your application. ", I would like a general read on if this is an unofficial admit or not.

Also how would you all rate the Applied Math program at USC, how does it fair compared to other programs for a PhD?

I got the same email. I lean toward thinking it's not an unofficial acceptance but a very positive sign.

[ThrowawayForApplied]

Removed by User

[Abcd1233]

D3l3t3d

[Abcd1233]

Deleted

[Abcd1233]

Undergrad Institution: Large US State School
Major: Mathematics
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Revised General Test: Did not take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not take

Program Applying: Math/Applied Math

Research Experience: Two reading courses with a professor (one in probability theory/stochastic calculus, one in dynamical systems), good REU program (resulted in submitting a paper, currently working on second/third), project with professor (no publication)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list several times, invited to department dinner
Activities or Jobs: Worked at local tutoring center
Math Courses Taken: Advanced Calculus, Real Analysis I/II, Abstract Algebra, Group Theory, Statistics, Partial Differential Equations, Computational Methods Class
Graduate Courses Taken: Two PDEs courses (one more pure, one more applied), ODEs
Things That Help Applications: Letters from professors from different schools with really good connections and lots of research/citations, applied to NSF GRFP (supposedly a strong candidate according to letter writers)

Applying to Where: (All PhD programs)
Duke - Interview (1/12), Admitted (1/31) (leaning towards attending)
Minnesota - Admitted (1/25)
Wisconsin -
Home University -
Purdue -
NC State - Admitted (1/29)
Iowa State -
UNC Chapel Hill - Invited to visitation weekend (1/31)

Question: Should I choose Minnesota or Duke? Leaning more towards Duke cause of stipend and location, but how do the departments/program name recognition compare?

The application deadline for NC state was 18th Jan. How did you get acceptance so quickly?

[fear_of_sheep]

Undergrad Institution: US school with well known math department
Major(s): Mathematics
GPA: 3.95
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: domestic white man

Did not take GRE or TOEFL

Program Applying: Pure mathematics
Research Experience: Did REUs every summer but no publications
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for a few math classes
Math Courses Taken: undergrad electives in algebraic geometry, PDEs, algebraic topology; graduate courses in real analysis, functional analysis, complex analysis, commutative algebra, and Riemannian geometry
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: two of my letter writers are very famous, and both told me that they wrote me very strong letters

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
MIT - Accepted 2/2 (~$50k funding offered through some complicated structure)
Princeton - Unofficial offer 1/26, Accepted 2/8 (~$50k funding)
Stanford - Unofficial offer 1/27, Accepted 2/7 (~$50k funding)
UC Berkeley - Accepted 2/9
Yale - Accepted 2/2 (~$50k funding)
Michigan - Interview offer, scheduled for week of 2/5, Accepted 2/14
Wisconsin - Accepted 2/9, declined on 2/9
Northwestern

Likely will commit to Princeton, but I want to visit MIT/Stanford/Yale first.

Update: Denied all offers and accepted Princeton after visiting, iirc I officially accepted on like March 30th.

[jahonnbernoulli]

Undergrad Institution: Large US State School
Major: Mathematics
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Revised General Test: Did not take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not take

Program Applying: Math/Applied Math

Research Experience: Two reading courses with a professor (one in probability theory/stochastic calculus, one in dynamical systems), good REU program (resulted in submitting a paper, currently working on second/third), project with professor (no publication)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list several times, invited to department dinner
Activities or Jobs: Worked at local tutoring center
Math Courses Taken: Advanced Calculus, Real Analysis I/II, Abstract Algebra, Group Theory, Statistics, Partial Differential Equations, Computational Methods Class
Graduate Courses Taken: Two PDEs courses (one more pure, one more applied), ODEs
Things That Help Applications: Letters from professors from different schools with really good connections and lots of research/citations, applied to NSF GRFP (supposedly a strong candidate according to letter writers)

Applying to Where: (All PhD programs)
Duke - Interview (1/12), Admitted (1/31) (leaning towards attending)
Minnesota - Admitted (1/25)
Wisconsin -
Home University -
Purdue -
NC State - Admitted (1/29)
Iowa State -
UNC Chapel Hill - Invited to visitation weekend (1/31)

Question: Should I choose Minnesota or Duke? Leaning more towards Duke cause of stipend and location, but how do the departments/program name recognition compare?

The application deadline for NC state was 18th Jan. How did you get acceptance so quickly?

I'm wondering the same. On the 2023 thread two people got accepted on the 25th. Perhaps they submitted their application far in advance of the deadline; Kansas State for example accepted two people in this thread in early January and their deadline wasn't until Feb 1.

[rekker]

Undergrad Institution: Large US State School
Major: Mathematics
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Revised General Test: Did not take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not take

Program Applying: Math/Applied Math

Research Experience: Two reading courses with a professor (one in probability theory/stochastic calculus, one in dynamical systems), good REU program (resulted in submitting a paper, currently working on second/third), project with professor (no publication)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list several times, invited to department dinner
Activities or Jobs: Worked at local tutoring center
Math Courses Taken: Advanced Calculus, Real Analysis I/II, Abstract Algebra, Group Theory, Statistics, Partial Differential Equations, Computational Methods Class
Graduate Courses Taken: Two PDEs courses (one more pure, one more applied), ODEs
Things That Help Applications: Letters from professors from different schools with really good connections and lots of research/citations, applied to NSF GRFP (supposedly a strong candidate according to letter writers)

Applying to Where: (All PhD programs)
Duke - Interview (1/12), Admitted (1/31) (leaning towards attending)
Minnesota - Admitted (1/25)
Wisconsin -
Home University -
Purdue -
NC State - Admitted (1/29)
Iowa State -
UNC Chapel Hill - Invited to visitation weekend (1/31)

Question: Should I choose Minnesota or Duke? Leaning more towards Duke cause of stipend and location, but how do the departments/program name recognition compare?

The application deadline for NC state was 18th Jan. How did you get acceptance so quickly?

I'm wondering the same. On the 2023 thread two people got accepted on the 25th. Perhaps they submitted their application far in advance of the deadline; Kansas State for example accepted two people in this thread in early January and their deadline wasn't until Feb 1.

The funding deadline I thought was Jan 6 or 8 or something. Anyways I submitted it at the end of December and my admit letter was actually dated Jan 2. But they only sent it to me on the 17th.

[careyt]

Undergrad Institution: Large US State School
Major: Mathematics
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Revised General Test: Did not take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not take

Program Applying: Math/Applied Math

Research Experience: Two reading courses with a professor (one in probability theory/stochastic calculus, one in dynamical systems), good REU program (resulted in submitting a paper, currently working on second/third), project with professor (no publication)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list several times, invited to department dinner
Activities or Jobs: Worked at local tutoring center
Math Courses Taken: Advanced Calculus, Real Analysis I/II, Abstract Algebra, Group Theory, Statistics, Partial Differential Equations, Computational Methods Class
Graduate Courses Taken: Two PDEs courses (one more pure, one more applied), ODEs
Things That Help Applications: Letters from professors from different schools with really good connections and lots of research/citations, applied to NSF GRFP (supposedly a strong candidate according to letter writers)

Applying to Where: (All PhD programs)
Duke - Interview (1/12), Admitted (1/31) (leaning towards attending)
Minnesota - Admitted (1/25)
Wisconsin -
Home University -
Purdue -
NC State - Admitted (1/29)
Iowa State -
UNC Chapel Hill - Invited to visitation weekend (1/31)

Question: Should I choose Minnesota or Duke? Leaning more towards Duke cause of stipend and location, but how do the departments/program name recognition compare?

The application deadline for NC state was 18th Jan. How did you get acceptance so quickly?

I'm wondering the same. On the 2023 thread two people got accepted on the 25th. Perhaps they submitted their application far in advance of the deadline; Kansas State for example accepted two people in this thread in early January and their deadline wasn't until Feb 1.

I assume I'm one of those two that you mentioned from last year. I just checked and I submitted my application January 11th. I think the deadline was also on January 18th last year so I was definitely surprised by the turn around.

[activator73]

Undergrad Institution: Private R2
Major(s): Mathematical Sciences
GPA: 3.71
Type of Student: Domestic female

GRE Revised General Test: not taken
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: not taken

Program Applying: Pure math, combinatorics/graph theory

Research Experience: Two REUs but only one graph theory related, which was at a prestigious university. Presented a poster at JMM, one preprint.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list, I guess
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for 3 years.
Math Courses Taken: many

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
MIT - rejected 02/09
Caltech - rejected 02/13
UCSD - rejected 02/15
UW - rejected 02/05
Carnegie Mellon - rejected 02/29
UIUC - rejected 02/09
Georgia Tech - submitted
University of Nebraska - admitted 03/01
Iowa State - admitted 02/13
George Mason - admitted 02/28

safety schools are real ... don't let anyone tell you they aren't

[Mathguy69420]

Undergrad Institution: State School R2 but turning R1
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): None
GPA: 3.3
Math GPA: 3.96
Type of Student: Domestic White Male

GRE Revised General Test:
Q: xxx (xx%)
V: xxx (xx%)
W: x.x (xx%)
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 920 (95%)

TOEFL Score: NA

Program Applying: Pure Math (Number Theory and Combinatorics)

Research Experience: Research with a professor at my school in graph theory resulting in one paper under review and another about to be submitted. Presented at about many conferences with one invited speaker presentation in my advisor's session. Did an expository REU in number theory and geometry.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Awarded two grants for undergraduate research and president's list almost every semester at my current university.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA'd calculus 1 and 2 also TA'ing a graduate algebra course this semester.
Math Courses Taken: Undergrad: Algebra, Analysis, Number Theory, Linear Algebra, Graph Theory, Combinatorics, Linear Algebra, Algebraic Geometry, Probability, and Topology.
Graduate: Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, Fourier Analysis, Functional Analysis, Lie Algebras and Representation Theory, Numerical Analysis, Class Field Theory and Elliptic Curves.
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Have some connections through conferences and my letter writers have connections at a few universities though none are famous.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Did poorly at my first University but rebounded at my current one.

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
Rutgers - Unofficially Admitted
Princeton - Rejected
Yale - Rejected
Upenn - Unofficially Admitted (emailed connection)
Universtiy of Georgia - Admitted
UIUC - Submitted
Ohio State - Submitted
UMass Amherst - Admitted
Michigan - Interviewed 1/30 / Would likely attend if admitted unless Princeton admits
Dartmouth - Admitted
Harvard - Rejected
U Chicago - Rejected

[hopfibration]

Undergrad Institution: Big Public University Top 50 and Community College
Masters Institution:[/b] Big Public University Top 20
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):None
GPA:3.11 (Undergrad Only No Transfer) - explained in SOP family issues caregiver role
Math GPA:3.51 (w/ Transfer)
Math Grad GPA: 3.944
Type of Student: Domestic, Female, Immigrant

GRE Revised General Test:321
Q:161
V:160
W:6.0
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not submit
M:Did not submit


Program Applying: Applied Math

Research Experience:1 preprint, 6 posters, 2 talks (one at premier conference in field) 27 months of research experience in 3 labs in undergrad and 1 in masters
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:School research awards in undergrad and grad, 1 publication, 3 scholarships from sorority
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA - 2 years, Grader - 1 year, Course Instructor - 1 semester, Tutor - 7 years, National Lab Internship, Ambassador for Company, Data Analyst, Graduate Researcher, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Math Courses Taken: Abstract Algebra I, II, Real Analysis I, II, Numerical Analysis, Computational Math I, II, Applied Math I, II, Stochastic Computational Methods, Mathematical Fluids, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Measure Theory, Measure-Theoretic Probability Theory, Probability Theory, Calc 1-3, ODE, Linear Algebra, Abstract Linear Algebra, Applied Linear Algebra, Discrete Math, Machine Learning, Complex Analysis (Undergrad), Graduate Complex Analysis
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Famous recommender in their field, 2 research professors, 1 teaching professor, National Lab Internship, On National Board of Sorority, Graduate Mentor for Undergraduates, Math Club President, Undergraduate Research Society Secretary
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:family issues caregiver role, inconsistent education with gaps, applied to fellowships, student editor of undergraduate research journal, went to IU Bloomington invited in-person program for grad school applications and met with professors (was competitive to get into)

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)

Reach
- Northwestern - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon inquiry 2/6
- UChicago - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UT Austin - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UW Seattle - Applied Math - Deferred to Unfunded Masters
- Notre Dame - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMich - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Duke - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Georgia Tech - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Vanderbilt - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Johns Hopkins - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UPenn - Applied Math - Submitted (12/26) Waiting

Target
- UW Madison - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Purdue - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- IU Bloomington - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMN - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMD - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Penn State - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- OSU - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Rutgers - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon Inquiry (2/6)

Safeties (kinda)
- Michigan State - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) - Asked to send official transcripts 1/23
- NCSU - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Alabama - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting

Wildcard
- Georgetown - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting (Only because it is a brand new program)

Would you mind sharing the general formula you used for the inquiries that got you waitlisted? I'm considering sending this type of follow-up message, but I've been afraid that it would come across as an attempt to influence the admissions process.

[schakraborty091199]

Undergrad Institution: Big Public University Top 50 and Community College
Masters Institution:[/b] Big Public University Top 20
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):None
GPA:3.11 (Undergrad Only No Transfer) - explained in SOP family issues caregiver role
Math GPA:3.51 (w/ Transfer)
Math Grad GPA: 3.944
Type of Student: Domestic, Female, Immigrant

GRE Revised General Test:321
Q:161
V:160
W:6.0
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not submit
M:Did not submit


Program Applying: Applied Math

Research Experience:1 preprint, 6 posters, 2 talks (one at premier conference in field) 27 months of research experience in 3 labs in undergrad and 1 in masters
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:School research awards in undergrad and grad, 1 publication, 3 scholarships from sorority
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA - 2 years, Grader - 1 year, Course Instructor - 1 semester, Tutor - 7 years, National Lab Internship, Ambassador for Company, Data Analyst, Graduate Researcher, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Math Courses Taken: Abstract Algebra I, II, Real Analysis I, II, Numerical Analysis, Computational Math I, II, Applied Math I, II, Stochastic Computational Methods, Mathematical Fluids, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Measure Theory, Measure-Theoretic Probability Theory, Probability Theory, Calc 1-3, ODE, Linear Algebra, Abstract Linear Algebra, Applied Linear Algebra, Discrete Math, Machine Learning, Complex Analysis (Undergrad), Graduate Complex Analysis
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Famous recommender in their field, 2 research professors, 1 teaching professor, National Lab Internship, On National Board of Sorority, Graduate Mentor for Undergraduates, Math Club President, Undergraduate Research Society Secretary
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:family issues caregiver role, inconsistent education with gaps, applied to fellowships, student editor of undergraduate research journal, went to IU Bloomington invited in-person program for grad school applications and met with professors (was competitive to get into)

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)

Reach
- Northwestern - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon inquiry 2/6
- UChicago - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UT Austin - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UW Seattle - Applied Math - Deferred to Unfunded Masters
- Notre Dame - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMich - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Duke - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Georgia Tech - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Vanderbilt - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Johns Hopkins - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UPenn - Applied Math - Submitted (12/26) Waiting

Target
- UW Madison - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Purdue - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- IU Bloomington - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMN - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMD - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Penn State - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- OSU - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Rutgers - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon Inquiry (2/6)

Safeties (kinda)
- Michigan State - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) - Asked to send official transcripts 1/23
- NCSU - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Alabama - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting

Wildcard
- Georgetown - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting (Only because it is a brand new program)

Would you mind sharing the general formula you used for the inquiries that got you waitlisted? I'm considering sending this type of follow-up message, but I've been afraid that it would come across as an attempt to influence the admissions process.

Hi,

My name is ________ and I am an applicant to the PhD program. I wanted to reach out to see when we should be expecting a decision on the application to the ________ PhD program or what the timeline for that looks like.

--
Thank you,
Name

[ipso_cheeto]

Undergrad Institution: Big Public University Top 50 and Community College
Masters Institution:[/b] Big Public University Top 20
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):None
GPA:3.11 (Undergrad Only No Transfer) - explained in SOP family issues caregiver role
Math GPA:3.51 (w/ Transfer)
Math Grad GPA: 3.944
Type of Student: Domestic, Female, Immigrant

GRE Revised General Test:321
Q:161
V:160
W:6.0
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not submit
M:Did not submit


Program Applying: Applied Math

Research Experience:1 preprint, 6 posters, 2 talks (one at premier conference in field) 27 months of research experience in 3 labs in undergrad and 1 in masters
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:School research awards in undergrad and grad, 1 publication, 3 scholarships from sorority
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA - 2 years, Grader - 1 year, Course Instructor - 1 semester, Tutor - 7 years, National Lab Internship, Ambassador for Company, Data Analyst, Graduate Researcher, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Math Courses Taken: Abstract Algebra I, II, Real Analysis I, II, Numerical Analysis, Computational Math I, II, Applied Math I, II, Stochastic Computational Methods, Mathematical Fluids, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Measure Theory, Measure-Theoretic Probability Theory, Probability Theory, Calc 1-3, ODE, Linear Algebra, Abstract Linear Algebra, Applied Linear Algebra, Discrete Math, Machine Learning, Complex Analysis (Undergrad), Graduate Complex Analysis
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Famous recommender in their field, 2 research professors, 1 teaching professor, National Lab Internship, On National Board of Sorority, Graduate Mentor for Undergraduates, Math Club President, Undergraduate Research Society Secretary
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:family issues caregiver role, inconsistent education with gaps, applied to fellowships, student editor of undergraduate research journal, went to IU Bloomington invited in-person program for grad school applications and met with professors (was competitive to get into)

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)

Reach
- Northwestern - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon inquiry 2/6
- UChicago - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UT Austin - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UW Seattle - Applied Math - Deferred to Unfunded Masters
- Notre Dame - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMich - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Duke - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Georgia Tech - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Vanderbilt - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Johns Hopkins - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UPenn - Applied Math - Submitted (12/26) Waiting

Target
- UW Madison - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Purdue - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- IU Bloomington - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMN - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMD - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Penn State - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- OSU - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Rutgers - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon Inquiry (2/6)

Safeties (kinda)
- Michigan State - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) - Asked to send official transcripts 1/23
- NCSU - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Alabama - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting

Wildcard
- Georgetown - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting (Only because it is a brand new program)

Would you mind sharing the general formula you used for the inquiries that got you waitlisted? I'm considering sending this type of follow-up message, but I've been afraid that it would come across as an attempt to influence the admissions process.

It is still somewhat early, so I would give people till at least mid-Feb. My PI (I am at a top 50 large research uni) said the faculty haven't even finished deciding yet for our program, and he is getting sick of all the emails from students who did not read the website. He is pretty candid so I definitely take him at his word.

I do not think that it would come off as attempting to 'influence' them (they probably get a lot of them and it's not like you actually have any power in that situation to truly influence them), but I DO think it will come off as pushy, especially since it is before their stated deadline for responses. If the information is on their website, emailing them about it just comes off as impatient. The response deadlines are almost ALL mid-Feb to mid-March and this information is already available on the website (for the large majority of situations). I only know of one school who said the beginning of April, which is super late compared to most schools. I have a spreadsheet of over 30 schools this is the norm.

Keep in mind that most open-houses will take place beginning of and mid March, so if you are getting an acceptance, it will probably be within a few weeks prior to that occurring so they can plan your travel. I received my acceptance from Dartmouth on Friday, and their open house is Feb 29th - March 2nd. They were very clear that those travel plans needed to be made ASAP. Also I applied to most of these schools last year, and every letter I got came between Feb 13th and Feb 27th. This is not that far from now, so if you want to play it safe, I would just wait.

[jasperty]

Undergrad Institution: R1 Private US Institution
Major(s): Engineering
Minor(s): Mathematics
GPA: 3.06/4.00
Math GPA: 3.53/4.00
Type of Student: International Male

GRE Revised General Test: Not taken
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Not taken

Program Applying: All Pure Math save NJIT

Research Experience:
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
Math Courses Taken:

• Undergrad: Calc 1-3, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra I, Complex Analysis, Combinatorics, Abstract Algebra I
• Graduate: Real Analysis I, Real Analysis II, Combinatorics, Abstract Algebra I

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Not sure how to judge if my profs are famous or my letters are strong. I think my letters are strong? From 3 research profs, 1 teaching prof.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Fairly... weird story of getting into math. Atrocious transcript; failed a two-digit number of courses and nearly dropped out twice. Everything explained in SOP

Applying to Where: (in alphabetical order modulo "University of")
University of Arizona - Interview 2/13 Waitlisted (inquiry) Rejected 4/15
University of Delaware - Submitted
Drexel University - Admitted Commited 4/15!
University of Iowa - Rejected (portal)
University of Kansas - Rejected 4/9
New Jersey Institute of Technology - Admitted 1/30 Declined
North Carolina State University - Rejected 3/8
University of Oregon - Rejected 2/16
University of Pennsylvania - Rejected 4/4
Pennsylvania State University - Rejected 3/12
Rice University - Rejected 3/25
University of Rochester - Rejected 2/28
Rutgers University - Rejected 4/9
University of California Santa Cruz - Rejected
Temple University - Waitlisted 3/26 Rejected 4/15
University of Virginia - Rejected 2/12

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[hopfibration]

Would you mind sharing the general formula you used for the inquiries that got you waitlisted? I'm considering sending this type of follow-up message, but I've been afraid that it would come across as an attempt to influence the admissions process.

It is still somewhat early, so I would give people till at least mid-Feb. My PI (I am at a top 50 large research uni) said the faculty haven't even finished deciding yet for our program, and he is getting sick of all the emails from students who did not read the website. He is pretty candid so I definitely take him at his word.

I do not think that it would come off as attempting to 'influence' them (they probably get a lot of them and it's not like you actually have any power in that situation to truly influence them), but I DO think it will come off as pushy, especially since it is before their stated deadline for responses. If the information is on their website, emailing them about it just comes off as impatient. The response deadlines are almost ALL mid-Feb to mid-March and this information is already available on the website (for the large majority of situations). I only know of one school who said the beginning of April, which is super late compared to most schools. I have a spreadsheet of over 30 schools this is the norm.

Keep in mind that most open-houses will take place beginning of and mid March, so if you are getting an acceptance, it will probably be within a few weeks prior to that occurring so they can plan your travel. I received my acceptance from Dartmouth on Friday, and their open house is Feb 29th - March 2nd. They were very clear that those travel plans needed to be made ASAP. Also I applied to most of these schools last year, and every letter I got came between Feb 13th and Feb 27th. This is not that far from now, so if you want to play it safe, I would just wait.

Thanks for your reply; this is really helpful information. I think I'll hold off. I guess the programs that you emailed had a different timeline for responding? Or maybe I misinterpreted your initial post.

Congratulations on your acceptance to the program at Dartmouth!

[hopfibration]

It is still somewhat early, so I would give people till at least mid-Feb. My PI (I am at a top 50 large research uni) said the faculty haven't even finished deciding yet for our program, and he is getting sick of all the emails from students who did not read the website. He is pretty candid so I definitely take him at his word.

I do not think that it would come off as attempting to 'influence' them (they probably get a lot of them and it's not like you actually have any power in that situation to truly influence them), but I DO think it will come off as pushy, especially since it is before their stated deadline for responses. If the information is on their website, emailing them about it just comes off as impatient. The response deadlines are almost ALL mid-Feb to mid-March and this information is already available on the website (for the large majority of situations). I only know of one school who said the beginning of April, which is super late compared to most schools. I have a spreadsheet of over 30 schools this is the norm.

Keep in mind that most open-houses will take place beginning of and mid March, so if you are getting an acceptance, it will probably be within a few weeks prior to that occurring so they can plan your travel. I received my acceptance from Dartmouth on Friday, and their open house is Feb 29th - March 2nd. They were very clear that those travel plans needed to be made ASAP. Also I applied to most of these schools last year, and every letter I got came between Feb 13th and Feb 27th. This is not that far from now, so if you want to play it safe, I would just wait.

Thanks for your reply; this is really helpful information. I think I'll hold off. I guess the programs that you emailed had a different timeline for responding? Or maybe I misinterpreted your initial post.

Congratulations on your acceptance to the program at Dartmouth!

Apologies -- I misread your username. Thanks for your help!

[muncher1billion]

Standard American undergrad, public uni, applying for pure math PhD. Dates for posterity:

• UIUC -- notified of admission Jan 16, stipend of $23,900/yr.

• Harvard -- notified of admission Jan 25, stipend of $50,000/yr.

• Michigan -- contacted for interview Feb 1.

• Washington -- notified of admission Feb 5, stipend of $23,900/yr.

• Northwestern -- contacted for interview Feb 7.

• MIT -- ghosted

[jbailey]

Undergrad Institution: R1 State School
Major(s): Mathematics, Statistics
Minor(s): Philosophy
GPA: 3.65
Math GPA: 3.8
Type of Student: Domestic White Female

GRE Revised General Test:
Didn't take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
Didn't submit

TOEFL Score: N/A

Program Applying: Pure Math (Combinatorics)

Research Experience: Two REUs (one in pure math, one in machine learning), one paper submitted from pure math REU with a second on the way. Senior honors thesis in the same topic as REU (hope to also submit for publishing). Several conferences, poster sessions, and one talk including JMM, AWM research symposium, and NCUWM

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Several math scholarships and fellowships, honors degree, dean's honor roll every semester, etc.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Co-taught 4 semesters, tutored 3rd grade through college at two tutoring companies, founding member and current president of local chapter of AWM, vp and secretary of other clubs
Math Courses Taken: algebra (undergrad and grad), analysis, combinatorics, number theory, machine learning, mathematical statistics, all the typical calculus and undergrad courses
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Have applied to several places that my rec letter writers have connections at

Applying to Where: (In alphabetical order)
Brown - rejected 01/26
Carnegie Mellon - rejected 02/28
Columbia - rejected 02/22
Dartmouth - rejected 02/19
Notre Dame - waitlisted 02/27
Texas A&M - admitted 02/28
University of Cambridge (Part III) - rejected 01/30
University of Florida - invited to interview 02/16, admitted 02/23
University of Minnesota - rejected from PhD 02/16 unofficially accepted to master's 02/16 (unfunded)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln - admitted 03/01
University of North Texas - admitted 01/28
University of Texas at Austin
University of Toronto (Master's)
University of Wisconsin-Madison - rejected 02/09
Vanderbilt - shortlisted 02/08, invited to visit 02/15

[meancurvature]

Has anyone heard back from Columbia?

[cangaroo]

Undergrad Institution: R1 Private School
Major(s): Math
Minor(s): CS
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Revised General Test:
Q: 170 (94%)
V: 170 (99%)
W: 5.0 (91%)
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 890 (92%)

Program Applying: Applied Math unless otherwise noted

Research Experience: Some research in numerical solutions of PDEs at my home university
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: A couple of GPA and academic awards from home university as well as two time finalist for COMAP MCM.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Not much, just tutored a bit at a Kumon center in high school and some private tutoring over Summers
Math Courses Taken: many courses in applied and pure math

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Have a very good relationship with letter writers, taken a handful of graduate courses, studied abroad at a top 50 QS ranking university in Asia and received all A+ in several pure math courses
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Applied to some fellowships

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
NYU Courant - Accepted 2/5
Princeton - Rejected 2/16
Brown - Applied
MIT - Rejected 2/09
UCLA -Accepted 1/30 Declined
Stanford - ICME Accepted 3/15
Cornell - Accepted 1/30
UT Austin - Applied Withdrawn
Caltech - Interview
UChicago - Accepted 2/09 Declined
Northwestern - Accepted 2/07 Declined
UMaryland - Accepted 2/07 Declined
UMich - Applied Withdrawn
UWashington - Accepted 12/21 Declined

Figured I would add my profile and results since I browse the forum so much.

[Abstract1]

Undergrad Institution: Recognized national University
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):
GPA: 3.1
Math GPA:
Type of Student: International, Female

GRE Revised General Test:>300
Q:
V:
W:
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: >700

TOEFL Score: 107 = 28/30/24/25

Program Applying: Pure Math

Research Experience: Few semester projects and one Master's Thesis
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
Math Courses Taken:
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: My master's thesis supervisor is a big name in their field.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
I applied to PhD in Pure Math, in all the universities.

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
George Washington Uni Admitted without funding (22/2)
Graduate Centre, CUNY
Indian Uni, Bloomington
LSU
MSU Waitlisted (22/3)
OSU
Rice Uni
Rutgers
TAMU
UC Riverside Admitted (9/2)
UT Austin
Uni of Alabama
Uni of Bonn Rejected (22/1)
Uni of Denver Admitted without funding (23/3)
Uni of Nebraska Lincoln Rejected (12/3)
ZGSM Rejected (16/1)

[Deval]

Undergrad Institution: private school
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):
GPA: 4.17/4.30
Math GPA:
Type of Student: International Male

Program Applying: Pure Math

Research Experience: Attended REU at my school twice.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: None
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Graded mathematical analysis, calculus on manifolds, ODEs, and complex analysis.
Math Courses Taken: Undergrad: mathematical analysis, calculus on manifolds, ODEs, linear algebra, groups and rings, Galois theory, representation theory of finite groups, real analysis, elementary functional analysis, complex analysis, analytic number theory, algebraic geometry, intro to geometry and topology, theory of PDEs, Differential geometry of curves and surfaces.
Grad: Modern Algebra I/II, real analysis, functional analysis, algebraic topology, homotopy theory, differential topology, differential geometry, low-dimensional topology, algebraic geometry. Readings/Research course on symplectic geometry, J-holomorphic curves and quantum cohomology, h-principle.

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: All recommenders are well-known in their fields.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
MIT accepted 2/2
Stanford unofficially accepted 1/27
Harvard rejected 1/30
Princeton unofficially accepted 1/26
Berkeley unofficially accepted 2/9
UCLA officially accepted 2/9
UC Davis unofficially accepted 1/26
Stony Brook
USC likely letter 2/3
Duke withdrawn
UT Austin
Rutgers
Columbia
Cambridge - Part III

Hey, I am also an international student in the US, would you be open to expanding a little bit on your application? Such what REUs you did because 99% of them don't take international students.

[Kiyoshi]

Undergrad Institution: private school
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):
GPA: 4.17/4.30
Math GPA:
Type of Student: International Male

Program Applying: Pure Math

Research Experience: Attended REU at my school twice.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: None
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Graded mathematical analysis, calculus on manifolds, ODEs, and complex analysis.
Math Courses Taken: Undergrad: mathematical analysis, calculus on manifolds, ODEs, linear algebra, groups and rings, Galois theory, representation theory of finite groups, real analysis, elementary functional analysis, complex analysis, analytic number theory, algebraic geometry, intro to geometry and topology, theory of PDEs, Differential geometry of curves and surfaces.
Grad: Modern Algebra I/II, real analysis, functional analysis, algebraic topology, homotopy theory, differential topology, differential geometry, low-dimensional topology, algebraic geometry. Readings/Research course on symplectic geometry, J-holomorphic curves and quantum cohomology, h-principle.

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: All recommenders are well-known in their fields.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
MIT accepted 2/2
Stanford unofficially accepted 1/27
Harvard rejected 1/30
Princeton unofficially accepted 1/26
Berkeley unofficially accepted 2/9
UCLA officially accepted 2/9
UC Davis unofficially accepted 1/26
Stony Brook
USC likely letter 2/3
Duke withdrawn
UT Austin
Rutgers
Columbia
Cambridge - Part III

Hey, I am also an international student in the US, would you be open to expanding a little bit on your application? Such what REUs you did because 99% of them don't take international students.

I attended the REU program at my school twice. The program is only available to enrolled undergraduate students at the university.

[exercise2reader]

Undergrad Institution: public
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):
GPA: 3.3
Math GPA: 3.7
Type of Student: Domestic Male

Master's Institution: public
GPA: 3.5

Program Applying: Pure and Applied Math

Research Experience: One first author paper, two conference talks.
Awards/Honors/Recognition: Various Dean's lists
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Course instructor during Master's degree. Research position for two years afterwards doing computational stuff
Math Courses Taken: Plenty

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: I have genuine rapport and experience with all three recommenders.

Applying to Where:
Minnesota -
Texas (Oden Institute) -
Rice (CMOR) - Interviewed Rejected
NC State (Applied Math) -Rejected
Cornell (Applied Math) - Rejected
Colorado (Pure Math) - Rejected
Kansas - Accepted 2/13
Purdue -
WUSTL -

[miserach]

Spend way too much on this forum I guess, so have to put something here.

Undergrad Institution: T20 Private not good at math
Major(s): Mathematics and Computer Science
Minor(s):
GPA: 3.99
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: International Male

GRE Revised General Test: Didn't Take
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 840 (82%)

Program Applying: Pure Math

Research Experience: Have done some Research in CS department that's math-flavored and resulted into a paper, even though I contributed a little. No other serious math research.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List I guess
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for Undergrad Analysis several Semester
Math Courses Taken: Undergrad: Analysis, Algebra, PDE, Complex Analysis.
Graduate: Topology, Taking Analysis and Algebra in Senior year, functional analysis in Spring. Reading course with one Professor.
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: One recommender is my honor thesis advisor, who is sort of famous, even though the area can be somewhat niche. The other two is from a postdoc who says will write me a very strong one, and a near-retiring professor.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I feel I am fully relying on the connection of one of my recommenders so I did(do) feel not very confident and anxious in what the results will be lol .

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
UCLA Rejected 04/04
UCB Rejected 03/01
Princeton Rejected
Columbia Rejected 03/13
MSU Accepted 2/13 with Fellowship Declined 3/30
UNC Chapel Hill
Duke Rejected 03/29
CMU Accepted 1/23 Decline 4/12
UWashington Rejected
Caltech Rejected
UMaryland Accepted off the waitlist 4/03 Declined
Gatech
NYU Courant Unfunded master 03/13
CUNY
Wisconsin Rejected
Purdue Accepted 2/20 Declined 3/30
Stony Brook
Rutgers Unofficial 2/12, Official 2/15 Commited:)
Cambridge Part III Accepted 2/14 Withdrawn

[ipso_cheeto]

Undergrad Institution: R1 Private School
Major(s): Math
Minor(s): CS
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Revised General Test:
Q: 170 (94%)
V: 170 (99%)
W: 5.0 (91%)
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 890 (92%)

Program Applying: Applied Math unless otherwise noted

Research Experience: Some research in numerical solutions of PDEs at my home university
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: A couple of GPA and academic awards from home university as well as two time finalist for COMAP MCM.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Not much, just tutored a bit at a Kumon center in high school and some private tutoring over Summers
Math Courses Taken: many courses in applied and pure math

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Have a very good relationship with letter writers, taken a handful of graduate courses, studied abroad at a top 50 QS ranking university in Asia and received all A+ in several pure math courses
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Applied to some fellowships

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
NYU Courant - Accepted 2/5
Princeton - Applied
Brown - Applied
MIT - Rejected 2/09
UCLA -Accepted 1/30
Stanford - ICME Applied
Cornell - Accepted 1/30
UT Austin - Applied Withdrawn
Caltech - Interview
UChicago - Accepted 2/09
Northwestern - Accepted 2/07
UMaryland - Accepted 2/07
UMich - Applied
UWashington - Accepted 12/21 Declined

Figured I would add my profile and results since I browse the forum so much.

Hey, congrats on all your acceptances. You must have a killer profile. I was wondering if you could expand a little on your interview at Caltech? Did they reach out to you about interviewing, or had you already been in contact via reach-outs or intros prior (which is to say... how 'official' was the interview). Also, what is your focus/when was the interview/etc.

Congrats again!

[ThrowawayForApplied]

Removed by User

[Surieo Bronte]

Hey, I ended up getting waitlisted at USC with the following email:

Dear Mathematicians,

On behalf of the Mathematics Department at the University of Southern California, I am writing to let you know that you are on our admissions Waitlist for our Ph.D. program. Your application is top-rated by the graduate committee, and you are in our list of 40 students to whom we hope to make offers. Unfortunately, we cannot make more offers at this point, so you are on our waitlist. We realize this is not the news you hoped to receive, and it is not the news we hoped to convey! We received almost 400 applications to our graduate program and have only 16 spots we can fill. We know that we will be able to open more offers “down the line”, but I’ve not yet been informed of how many or when that will be. We absolutely would love to have you at USC, and we very much hope to get an offer to you prior to our April 15 deadline for acceptance.

I am happy to share a few details of our program now, so that you have more time to consider before our deadline. Our offer of admission includes a 5 year support package with 1 year of fellowship (no teaching) and 4 years of teaching assistantship (usually 12 hours or fewer per week). We cover tuition and give students a stipend of $40,000 per year. Students also have full health insurance and other benefits. Students who choose to remain on campus during the summer and take summer courses receive an additional summer stipend of about $4,000.

In July, our Mathematics Graduate Student Association will host a virtual “Where to live in LA” session to orient incoming students to the different LA neighborhoods, give tips for finding housing, and play matchmaker for those looking for roommates.

In August, we will host a 2-day orientation for incoming students in the week prior to the start of term. In this orientation, we’ll cover logistics of stipends and offer a crash course in teaching at USC. New students will also take a “Practicum in Teaching” course during your first semester to help adjust to life on the other side of the classroom. All incoming students have a one-on-one meeting with me, the Director of Graduate Studies, to help select first semester courses to align with their interests and meet the basic requirements of the program. Students will also have a temporary advisor in their field of interest to help navigate our more advanced course offering and begin their research program.

Considering theres 40 people on the list, should I just consider this a soft-reject, in the sense I am unlikely to get off it? What experiences similar do you or other people you know in the past have with waitlists?

I think there might be a decent chance. Based on what I am seeing in this forum, a number of people already admitted to USC have also been admitted to certains more popular options, which indicates that there is a good chance of them eventually turning down the offer to USC. However, this trickling down of offers probably would take time. I think the same goes for most of the other "match/safety" schools.

[cangaroo]

Undergrad Institution: R1 Private School
Major(s): Math
Minor(s): CS
GPA: 4.0
Math GPA: 4.0
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Revised General Test:
Q: 170 (94%)
V: 170 (99%)
W: 5.0 (91%)
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 890 (92%)

Program Applying: Applied Math unless otherwise noted

Research Experience: Some research in numerical solutions of PDEs at my home university
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: A couple of GPA and academic awards from home university as well as two time finalist for COMAP MCM.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Not much, just tutored a bit at a Kumon center in high school and some private tutoring over Summers
Math Courses Taken: many courses in applied and pure math

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Have a very good relationship with letter writers, taken a handful of graduate courses, studied abroad at a top 50 QS ranking university in Asia and received all A+ in several pure math courses
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Applied to some fellowships

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
NYU Courant - Accepted 2/5
Princeton - Applied
Brown - Applied
MIT - Rejected 2/09
UCLA -Accepted 1/30
Stanford - ICME Applied
Cornell - Accepted 1/30
UT Austin - Applied Withdrawn
Caltech - Interview
UChicago - Accepted 2/09
Northwestern - Accepted 2/07
UMaryland - Accepted 2/07
UMich - Applied
UWashington - Accepted 12/21 Declined

Figured I would add my profile and results since I browse the forum so much.

Hey, congrats on all your acceptances. You must have a killer profile. I was wondering if you could expand a little on your interview at Caltech? Did they reach out to you about interviewing, or had you already been in contact via reach-outs or intros prior (which is to say... how 'official' was the interview). Also, what is your focus/when was the interview/etc.

Congrats again!

Thanks! One of my POIs reached out to me and invited me to the interview. My focus is primarily numerical analysis and the interview was just a few days ago.

[ThrowawayForApplied]

Removed by User

[KovenFan]

Keep these discussions to the sweat thread.

[probabelitist]

Keep these discussions to the sweat thread.

You're such a toxic presence to this forum, judging by your post history. Why do you think anyone cares where you think a discussion belongs?

[curtis95112]

Keep these discussions to the sweat thread.

You're such a toxic presence to this forum, judging by your post history. Why do you think anyone cares where you think a discussion belongs?

Actually it's good to only have profiles in the profiles thread. I don't want to trawl through incredibly specific discussions when I'm reading this thread, I just want to see profiles and results.

[probabelitist]

Keep these discussions to the sweat thread.

You're such a toxic presence to this forum, judging by your post history. Why do you think anyone cares where you think a discussion belongs?

Actually it's good to only have profiles in the profiles thread. I don't want to trawl through incredibly specific discussions when I'm reading this thread, I just want to see profiles and results.

The trade-off in you having to scroll through "incredibly specific discussions", compared to that faced by people asking profile-specific questions, is pretty menial, I'd say. Besides, those "incredibly specific discussions" often help many people. There also aren't that many.

[Floaty]

In any case, there is another thread made for the purpose of exactly these kind of discussions. Doesn't make sense to have them here too.

[schakraborty091199]

Undergrad Institution: Big Public University Top 50 and Community College
Masters Institution:[/b] Big Public University Top 20
Major(s): Math
Minor(s):None
GPA:3.11 (Undergrad Only No Transfer) - explained in SOP family issues caregiver role
Math GPA:3.51 (w/ Transfer)
Math Grad GPA: 3.944
Type of Student: Domestic, Female, Immigrant

GRE Revised General Test:321
Q:161
V:160
W:6.0
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Did not submit
M:Did not submit


Program Applying: Applied Math

Research Experience:1 preprint, 6 posters, 2 talks (one at premier conference in field) 27 months of research experience in 3 labs in undergrad and 1 in masters
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:School research awards in undergrad and grad, 1 publication, 3 scholarships from sorority
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA - 2 years, Grader - 1 year, Course Instructor - 1 semester, Tutor - 7 years, National Lab Internship, Ambassador for Company, Data Analyst, Graduate Researcher, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Math Courses Taken: Abstract Algebra I, II, Real Analysis I, II, Numerical Analysis, Computational Math I, II, Applied Math I, II, Stochastic Computational Methods, Mathematical Fluids, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Measure Theory, Measure-Theoretic Probability Theory, Probability Theory, Calc 1-3, ODE, Linear Algebra, Abstract Linear Algebra, Applied Linear Algebra, Discrete Math, Machine Learning, Complex Analysis (Undergrad), Graduate Complex Analysis
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: Famous recommender in their field, 2 research professors, 1 teaching professor, National Lab Internship, On National Board of Sorority, Graduate Mentor for Undergraduates, Math Club President, Undergraduate Research Society Secretary
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:family issues caregiver role, inconsistent education with gaps, applied to fellowships, student editor of undergraduate research journal, went to IU Bloomington invited in-person program for grad school applications and met with professors (was competitive to get into)

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)

Reach
- Northwestern - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon inquiry 2/6
- UChicago - Applied Math - Rejected (2/9)
- UT Austin - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UW Seattle - Applied Math - Deferred to Unfunded Masters
- Notre Dame - Applied Math - Interview Invite 2/13 - Interview 2/15 - Waitlist 2/21
- UMich - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Duke - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Georgia Tech - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Vanderbilt - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Johns Hopkins - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UPenn - Applied Math - Submitted (12/26) Waiting
- UW Madison - Applied Math - 2/9 Rejected

Target
- Purdue - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- IU Bloomington - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- UMN - Applied Math - Waitlist (2/16)
- UMD - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Penn State - Applied Math - Officially accepted with fellowship 2/13
- OSU - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting
- Rutgers - Applied Math - Waitlisted upon Inquiry (2/6)
- Michigan State - Applied Math - Accepted - Asked to send official transcripts 1/23 - Officially accepted with fellowship 2/13
- NCSU - Applied Math - Rejected (2/7)
- Alabama - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting

Wildcard
- Georgetown - Applied Math - Submitted (12/12) Waiting (Only because it is a brand new program)

[am4407]

Code: Select all

Undergrad Institution: Columbia University
Major(s):[Economics-Mathematics]
Minor(s):[None]
GPA:[3.514]
Math GPA:[3.54]
Type of Student: (Domestic African American, Non-binary)

GRE Revised General Test:[N/A]
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:[Not great and didn't submit to most schools]

Program Applying: (Applied Math)

Research Experience: (Worked on two separate research projects in Economics/Statistical Analysis. One analyzing the affect of student input variables on performance in flipped economics courses. The second (accepted for publishing) was on competitive balance in the NBA and the affect of superteams)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Deans List in 4 of 8 semesters)
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Mathematics Teaching-Middle School Math)
Math Courses Taken: Calc I-IV, Linear Algebra, Combinatorics, Complex Variables, Analysis and Optimization, Ordinary Differential Equations, )

Applying to Where:
Stony Brook - Program Applied Math / Accepted! 1/26
Maryland-Applied Math Rejected 1/26
UCLA - Applied Math / Rejected 2/7
Harvard - Applied Math / Rejected 2/9
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign -Math/ Rejected 2/9
University of Chicago - Applied Math / Rejected 2/9
UCLA -Applied Math / Rejected 2/7
Brown - Applied Math / Rejected 1/22
UIC - Math/Pending
Michigan-Applied Math / Pending
Columbia-Applied Math / Pending
NYU Applied Math / Rejected 3/18
CUNY - Math / Pending

[greenface1998]

Code: Select all

Undergrad Institution: Columbia University
Major(s):[Economics-Mathematics]
Minor(s):[None]
GPA:[3.514]
Math GPA:[3.54]
Type of Student: (Domestic African American, Non-binary)

GRE Revised General Test:[N/A]
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:[Not great and didn't submit to most schools]

Program Applying: (Applied Math)

Research Experience: (Worked on two separate research projects in Economics/Statistical Analysis. One analyzing the affect of student input variables on performance in flipped economics courses. The second (accepted for publishing) was on competitive balance in the NBA and the affect of superteams)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Deans List in 4 of 8 semesters)
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Mathematics Teaching-Middle School Math)
Math Courses Taken: Calc I-IV, Linear Algebra, Combinatorics, Complex Variables, Analysis and Optimization, Ordinary Differential Equations, )

Applying to Where:
Stony Brook - Program Applied Math / Accepted! 1/26
Maryland-Applied Math Rejected 1/26
UCLA - Applied Math / Rejected 2/7
Harvard - Applied Math / Rejected 2/9
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign -Math/ Rejected 2/9
University of Chicago - Applied Math / Rejected 2/9
UCLA -Applied Math / Rejected 2/7
Brown - Applied Math / Rejected 1/22
UIC - Math/Pending
Michigan-Applied Math / Pending
Columbia-Applied Math / Pending
NYU Applied Math / Pending
CUNY - Math / Pending

Did UMD send you an actual rejection email? Bc I haven’t gotten anything from them and I’m not sure if I’m rejected or waitlisted.

[Aerolabi]

Code: Select all

Undergrad Institution: Columbia University
Major(s):[Economics-Mathematics]
Minor(s):[None]
GPA:[3.514]
Math GPA:[3.54]
Type of Student: (Domestic African American, Non-binary)

GRE Revised General Test:[N/A]
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:[Not great and didn't submit to most schools]

Program Applying: (Applied Math)

Research Experience: (Worked on two separate research projects in Economics/Statistical Analysis. One analyzing the affect of student input variables on performance in flipped economics courses. The second (accepted for publishing) was on competitive balance in the NBA and the affect of superteams)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Deans List in 4 of 8 semesters)
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Mathematics Teaching-Middle School Math)
Math Courses Taken: Calc I-IV, Linear Algebra, Combinatorics, Complex Variables, Analysis and Optimization, Ordinary Differential Equations, )

Applying to Where:
Stony Brook - Program Applied Math / Accepted! 1/26
Maryland-Applied Math Rejected 1/26
UCLA - Applied Math / Rejected 2/7
Harvard - Applied Math / Rejected 2/9
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign -Math/ Rejected 2/9
University of Chicago - Applied Math / Rejected 2/9
UCLA -Applied Math / Rejected 2/7
Brown - Applied Math / Rejected 1/22
UIC - Math/Pending
Michigan-Applied Math / Pending
Columbia-Applied Math / Pending
NYU Applied Math / Pending
CUNY - Math / Pending

Did UMD send you an actual rejection email? Bc I haven’t gotten anything from them and I’m not sure if I’m rejected or waitlisted.

I have the same issue.

[johnnyjohnjohns]

Thought I'd put one here as this forum has been helpful!!

Undergrad Institution: Good school in Australia for undergrad, masters in the UK
Major(s): Mathematics, Computer Science
GPA: 93/100 (no GPA, just weighted average mark)
Type of Student: White Australian Male

Did not do the GRE

Program Applying: Pure Math

Research Experience: Some research projects in number theory and algebra, nothing published yet, only some pre-prints. Also did a research project in theoretical computer science, but again wasn't published.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: A couple awards for math, Dean's lists each year, some prizes for the Asia Pacific version of the Putnam
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: A lot of tutoring across math and computer science, about 15 courses altogether. TA'd one course.
Math Courses Taken: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Number Theory, Analysis, Discrete Mathematics, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Vector Calculus, Measure Theory, Fourier Analysis, Metric Spaces, Differential Geometry, Algebraic Topology, Commutative Algebra, Representation Theory, Functional Analysis, Lie algebras, Local Fields, Modular Forms, Algebraic Number Theory, Elliptic Curves
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: I'm very close with 2 of my recommenders.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I mark the Asia Pacific version of the Putnam, not sure how much that helps. Also do some mentoring for high school students aiming to develop their competition math abilities.

Applying to Where: (Color use here is welcome)
UC Berkeley Admitted
Princeton - Rejected
MIT - Rejected
UChicago - Waitlisted
UToronto - Pending
Oxford - Pending
LSGNT - Pending
Edinburgh - Pending

Also thinking about applying to Bonn and maybe some other European universities? Not sure.

[aerh]

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