University of Alabama- Tuscaloosa MA

[ResetRPG]

Hey all, Undergraduate Lurker here,

I am a BA Math Major at a really low ranked Department. As it is low ranked, my undergraduate curriculum is really paltry, especially because I switched into the major really late after completing College Algebra and Trigonometry. I have performed well in all of my classes, but I am very much behind the curve many of the people here on MathGRE, and I have no research experience either. I have deduced that in order to become a more competitive applicant for Grad Programs, I will need more coursework- and a Master's seems like the perfect option.

As said in the subject, I have interest in applying to the program at the University of Alabama. It is close enough not to uproot my life, and there is much more research in Algebra and Analysis, which are the 2 subfields I have interest in researching. If it helps, I will be applying for the Fall 2025 cycle.

I am inquiring if anyone knows much about the program on the forum. I did meet with the coordinator there, but I was wondering if there is anything else I should know beyond what is on the website.

Thank you all so much, and I apologize if this is bad form, as it is my first post on the form.

[TheBlackMathGuy]

I applied to Alabama a few years ago for their PhD program (admittedly only because they offered me a fee waiver for doing so - which I never got, by the way...). Their program didn't seem all that noteworthy in my opinion, but they did have faculty in many of the mainstream areas of Mathematics. I heard they prioritize admitting in-state students, so that might bode well for you if you live nearby. (I was waitlisted, but I also lived out-of-state.) If you're just looking to get a Master's, UA could be an option.

If you're willing to travel to the other end of the State, however, you may want to consider Auburn. Their math department is a bit stronger in my opinion, especially in Algebraic topics, and they have a few well-known faculty in Combinatorics (Hal Schenck comes to mind).

Other southern schools I'd recommend are Wake Forest, UGA, FSU, LSU, and the University of Memphis. For a Master's, I'd definitely recommend Wake Forest as they don't offer PhDs, but their Master's program is really good. I almost attended it.

[ResetRPG]

I applied to Alabama a few years ago for their PhD program (admittedly only because they offered me a fee waiver for doing so - which I never got, by the way...). Their program didn't seem all that noteworthy in my opinion, but they did have faculty in many of the mainstream areas of Mathematics. I heard they prioritize admitting in-state students, so that might bode well for you if you live nearby. (I was waitlisted, but I also lived out-of-state.) If you're just looking to get a Master's, UA could be an option.

If you're willing to travel to the other end of the State, however, you may want to consider Auburn. Their math department is a bit stronger in my opinion, especially in Algebraic topics, and they have a few well-known faculty in Combinatorics (Hal Schenck comes to mind).

Other southern schools I'd recommend are Wake Forest, UGA, FSU, LSU, and the University of Memphis. For a Master's, I'd definitely recommend Wake Forest as they don't offer PhDs, but their Master's program is really good. I almost attended it.

Hey man, thank you so much for the helpful reply!

I definitely am considering Auburn for PhD studies, as it is a good school, and still located in the Southeast.

But as of right now, I am solely applying to Master's program, as my current life and academic situation just doesn't really permit it. I also am using it essentially as a jumping off point to apply to PhD programs. It also is just the best fit logistically, given that my spouse is currently a PhD student at my Undergraduate institution.

Thank you so much again!