Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

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BangentTundle
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:13 am

Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by BangentTundle » Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:17 am

Comparing for geometry/topology as well as
-cost of living
-enjoyable place to live
-overall school

Can anyone help me out?

ZrZhao
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 7:33 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by ZrZhao » Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:08 am

Hi,

I am sorry that I could not offer you some help on your question. Could I know have you received the admission from Stony Brook University?

Best.

soyutcebir
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2021 8:52 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by soyutcebir » Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:33 am

do you have a more specific idea as to what you want to do in geometry and topology? I mean, just saying geometry and topology is pretty vague so it is hard to compare schools. for example, roughly speaking, which one do you like more: algebraic topology, low dimensional topology or differential geometry?

mathappfrombrazil
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2022 7:08 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by mathappfrombrazil » Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:34 am

In regards to Stony Brook on geometry/topology, from what I’ve heard and the little I’ve seen, it seems to be an incredible school. It has internationally famous faculty (for example, two Abel prize recipients), though they may be close to retiring. I cannot comment on younger faculty. The school is exceptionally strong on dynamics and low dimensional topology as well.

When I talked to two of my professors about applying to Stony Brook, they mentioned that it is a bit boring of a place to live in, as it doesn’t have much going on at the campus and near it, and the cost of living isn’t that much lower than in New York. However, New York is always a train ride away. I endend up not applying to it as I ended up favoring a few other places, but if I were to apply to one or two other schools, I’d have considered it greatly, as it aligns very well with my interests.

yyh214
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2022 11:21 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by yyh214 » Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:47 am

soyutcebir wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:33 am
do you have a more specific idea as to what you want to do in geometry and topology? I mean, just saying geometry and topology is pretty vague so it is hard to compare schools. for example, roughly speaking, which one do you like more: algebraic topology, low dimensional topology or differential geometry?
Hi, do you have any idea about low-dimensional topology at UMN?

BangentTundle
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:13 am

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by BangentTundle » Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:53 am

ZrZhao wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:08 am
Hi,

I am sorry that I could not offer you some help on your question. Could I know have you received the admission from Stony Brook University?

Best.
Yes, unofficial offer

BangentTundle
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:13 am

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by BangentTundle » Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:56 am

soyutcebir wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:33 am
do you have a more specific idea as to what you want to do in geometry and topology? I mean, just saying geometry and topology is pretty vague so it is hard to compare schools. for example, roughly speaking, which one do you like more: algebraic topology, low dimensional topology or differential geometry?
Differential geometry is what I'm most trained in, but from my one course in algebraic topology I've also enjoyed that.

Low dimensional topology I've had an interest in through gauge theory, as I'm also a physics person.

If I had a gun to my head, probably differential geometry.

ZrZhao
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 7:33 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by ZrZhao » Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:45 pm

BangentTundle wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:53 am
ZrZhao wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:08 am
Hi,

I am sorry that I could not offer you some help on your question. Could I know have you received the admission from Stony Brook University?

Best.
Yes, unofficial offer
Thank you for telling me.
Best wishes.

xbq22
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:03 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by xbq22 » Fri Feb 24, 2023 12:07 pm

BangentTundle wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:56 am
soyutcebir wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:33 am
do you have a more specific idea as to what you want to do in geometry and topology? I mean, just saying geometry and topology is pretty vague so it is hard to compare schools. for example, roughly speaking, which one do you like more: algebraic topology, low dimensional topology or differential geometry?
Differential geometry is what I'm most trained in, but from my one course in algebraic topology I've also enjoyed that.

Low dimensional topology I've had an interest in through gauge theory, as I'm also a physics person.

If I had a gun to my head, probably differential geometry.
If this is what you are interested, than look through Stony Brook's research faculty in this area. If you're anything like me, there's almost too much to choose from. Furthermore, the Simons Center is like right there as well. For this particular field, geometry and it's relationship with mathematical physics, it's not a far cry to say that Stony Brook is one of the best places in the world for this research.

Congrats on your unofficial offer, if I were in your position I would it take it over UMN. Can I ask when you received this offer?

BangentTundle
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:13 am

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by BangentTundle » Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:41 pm

xbq22 wrote:
Fri Feb 24, 2023 12:07 pm

If this is what you are interested, than look through Stony Brook's research faculty in this area. If you're anything like me, there's almost too much to choose from. Furthermore, the Simons Center is like right there as well. For this particular field, geometry and it's relationship with mathematical physics, it's not a far cry to say that Stony Brook is one of the best places in the world for this research.

Congrats on your unofficial offer, if I were in your position I would it take it over UMN. Can I ask when you received this offer?
Earlier this week. Do you know anything about living at Stony brook?

coolmathgames123
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2022 11:21 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by coolmathgames123 » Fri Feb 24, 2023 6:36 pm

You got into Stony Brook for geometry? Congrats!! I’m jealous cause I’m on the waitlist 8) but do yourself a favor and go there because it’s one of the best places in the world to study geometry as a commenter above mentioned

xbq22
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:03 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by xbq22 » Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:04 am

BangentTundle wrote:
Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:41 pm
xbq22 wrote:
Fri Feb 24, 2023 12:07 pm

If this is what you are interested, than look through Stony Brook's research faculty in this area. If you're anything like me, there's almost too much to choose from. Furthermore, the Simons Center is like right there as well. For this particular field, geometry and it's relationship with mathematical physics, it's not a far cry to say that Stony Brook is one of the best places in the world for this research.

Congrats on your unofficial offer, if I were in your position I would it take it over UMN. Can I ask when you received this offer?
Earlier this week. Do you know anything about living at Stony brook?
Living at Stony Brook is mildly uneventful. But, NYC is only a train ride away. If you're into math though, and that's your passion, then you will find more to do at Stony Brook than anywhere else in NYC. Having seen the party scene in NYC as an undergrad, it's not better than spending a night understanding a good proof.
Last edited by xbq22 on Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

BangentTundle
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:13 am

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by BangentTundle » Sat Feb 25, 2023 10:56 am

hmmm
Last edited by BangentTundle on Sat Apr 08, 2023 4:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

xbq22
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:03 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by xbq22 » Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:23 pm

deleted

TheBlackMathGuy
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2021 8:21 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by TheBlackMathGuy » Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:59 pm

Since most people here have spoken at length about Stony Brook, I'll play contrarian for a minute and talk about Minnesota, since I'm actually a grad student here.

UMN is a good department overall. In some ways, I'd say it's pretty great, though it took me a while to reach that conclusion. UMN is highly respected in the math community, which I've learned from speaking with mathematicians at numerous conferences. If you like analysis, combinatorics, or applied math, we're damn near elite with plenty of mathematicians doing well-regarded research in those areas. Since the OP mentioned having interest in geometry/topology, I will say that our topology group is a bit on the small side, but we do have some great people here. There's Ty Lawson doing work in algebraic topology & K-theory. There's Craig Westerland doing work at the intersection of topology & number theory. Sasha Voronov thinks about problems in topology that often relate to mathematical physics, and Anar Akhmedov does more geometric topology. There are a few other people here doing geometry/topology as well, but those 4 names I listed are probably our biggest in those areas.

In terms of cost-of-living, the Twin Cities are a bit on the high side for Midwest living, but when compared to the East Coast/NYC, it's not that bad. The stipend pay in the math department is not great, but it is livable. They actually just approved a pay raise for next year, so you may luck out if you come here. By myself, I rent a 2-bedroom apartment near Downtown Minneapolis and I can afford it on the stipend. That being said, if you get a roommate (just one roommate), you can save a lot of money. While I'm not getting rich off this stipend, I'm also not going broke anytime soon, and I imagine other grad students feel the same way. I was fortunate to receive a fellowship during my first year which gave me the opportunity to build a modest savings (which I built up a lot more by opting to teach for more cash). I made so much money my first year it's insane, lol. Living here isn't too bad, though it gets a bit loud and it definitely gets cold. I grew up in a Midwestern city, so I'm used to both, but the winters can take some adjustment. There's definitely stuff to do in the Twin Cities and people don't stay inside during the cold months.

Department culture here is pretty good. Definitely more laid back than my undergrad institution. The prelim process is relaxed and designed to not stress you out. The courses are pretty relaxed as well (I have yet to take an in-class exam). The oral exam is our stage before dissertation work, and it's also designed to be stress-free. I love the way our department is structured logistically. I have ADHD and I honestly don't think I could've found a better department fit for my neurodiversity than UMN. Professors here are chill, as are the grad students. In that regard I can't complain, though it is a bit more social here than my introverted self would prefer.

While there are definitely some things I don't like about our department, it's not at all a bad place all things considered. Stony Brook is definitely more renown for geometry research, but UMN is no slouch in its own right. You've got 2 good offers here. Can't go wrong with either. I know a guy from undergrad doing his PhD at Stony Brook and he raves about it. He also likes geometry, so that may explain it haha.

BangentTundle
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:13 am

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by BangentTundle » Sun Feb 26, 2023 11:44 pm

TheBlackMathGuy wrote:
Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:59 pm
Since most people here have spoken at length about Stony Brook, I'll play contrarian for a minute and talk about Minnesota, since I'm actually a grad student here.

UMN is a good department overall. In some ways, I'd say it's pretty great, though it took me a while to reach that conclusion. UMN is highly respected in the math community, which I've learned from speaking with mathematicians at numerous conferences. If you like analysis, combinatorics, or applied math, we're damn near elite with plenty of mathematicians doing well-regarded research in those areas. Since the OP mentioned having interest in geometry/topology, I will say that our topology group is a bit on the small side, but we do have some great people here. There's Ty Lawson doing work in algebraic topology & K-theory. There's Craig Westerland doing work at the intersection of topology & number theory. Sasha Voronov thinks about problems in topology that often relate to mathematical physics, and Anar Akhmedov does more geometric topology. There are a few other people here doing geometry/topology as well, but those 4 names I listed are probably our biggest in those areas.

In terms of cost-of-living, the Twin Cities are a bit on the high side for Midwest living, but when compared to the East Coast/NYC, it's not that bad. The stipend pay in the math department is not great, but it is livable. They actually just approved a pay raise for next year, so you may luck out if you come here. By myself, I rent a 2-bedroom apartment near Downtown Minneapolis and I can afford it on the stipend. That being said, if you get a roommate (just one roommate), you can save a lot of money. While I'm not getting rich off this stipend, I'm also not going broke anytime soon, and I imagine other grad students feel the same way. I was fortunate to receive a fellowship during my first year which gave me the opportunity to build a modest savings (which I built up a lot more by opting to teach for more cash). I made so much money my first year it's insane, lol. Living here isn't too bad, though it gets a bit loud and it definitely gets cold. I grew up in a Midwestern city, so I'm used to both, but the winters can take some adjustment. There's definitely stuff to do in the Twin Cities and people don't stay inside during the cold months.

Department culture here is pretty good. Definitely more laid back than my undergrad institution. The prelim process is relaxed and designed to not stress you out. The courses are pretty relaxed as well (I have yet to take an in-class exam). The oral exam is our stage before dissertation work, and it's also designed to be stress-free. I love the way our department is structured logistically. I have ADHD and I honestly don't think I could've found a better department fit for my neurodiversity than UMN. Professors here are chill, as are the grad students. In that regard I can't complain, though it is a bit more social here than my introverted self would prefer.

While there are definitely some things I don't like about our department, it's not at all a bad place all things considered. Stony Brook is definitely more renown for geometry research, but UMN is no slouch in its own right. You've got 2 good offers here. Can't go wrong with either. I know a guy from undergrad doing his PhD at Stony Brook and he raves about it. He also likes geometry, so that may explain it haha.
Thank you very much for the detailed response. If you care to I'm interested in hearing what you don't like about the department as well.

BangentTundle
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:13 am

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by BangentTundle » Sat Apr 08, 2023 4:28 pm

yyh214 wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:47 am
soyutcebir wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:33 am
do you have a more specific idea as to what you want to do in geometry and topology? I mean, just saying geometry and topology is pretty vague so it is hard to compare schools. for example, roughly speaking, which one do you like more: algebraic topology, low dimensional topology or differential geometry?
Hi, do you have any idea about low-dimensional topology at UMN?
Are you still considering UMN, and who with?

yyh214
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2022 11:21 pm

Re: Stony Brook or Minnesota Twin Cities

Post by yyh214 » Tue Apr 11, 2023 11:17 pm

BangentTundle wrote:
Sat Apr 08, 2023 4:28 pm
yyh214 wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:47 am
soyutcebir wrote:
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:33 am
do you have a more specific idea as to what you want to do in geometry and topology? I mean, just saying geometry and topology is pretty vague so it is hard to compare schools. for example, roughly speaking, which one do you like more: algebraic topology, low dimensional topology or differential geometry?
Hi, do you have any idea about low-dimensional topology at UMN?
Are you still considering UMN, and who with?
I have declined the offer.



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