The math graduate school application process Garrett The math graduate school and NSFGRFP What is application processes graduate school like? Getting in When you’re Reeve Garrett admitted The NSF Graduate The Ohio State University Research Fellowship Additional March 27, 2014 resources
Is graduate school right for me? The math graduate school application You need to answer this question for yourself, but others can process help you decide. Questions to ask yourself: Garrett * How much do I really like school? What is graduate * Do I like my more abstract and difficult coursework? school like? Getting in * Do I enjoy reading and learning about new math on my When you’re own in my free time? admitted The NSF * Am I willing to wait a few years to have solid job income? Graduate Research * Do I want to be in school for another 2-6 years? Fellowship * What are my ultimate career goals? How can graduate Additional resources school help me achieve them?
What you’re signing yourself up for The math graduate school application process Garrett * 1 to 6+ more years of school; VERY hard but VERY What is graduate interesting school school like? Getting in * Masters degrees: 1-3 years, Ph.D.: 5+ years. When you’re * research and teaching (typically, even for Masters admitted The NSF students) Graduate Research Fellowship Additional resources
A rough timeline The math graduate “Basic” qualifying exam(s) upon arrival (some programs) school application ↓ process 1-2 years of core courses and corresponding qualifying exams Garrett (can vary between programs; Masters students end here) What is ↓ graduate school like? Participation in seminars and independent study to decide on Getting in concentration; begin learning the core content for the field of When you’re your dissertation which is tested in the oral qualifying exam admitted ↓ The NSF Graduate Begin “real research” and formulating dissertation problem Research Fellowship ↓ Additional Work on dissertation problem, write dissertation resources ↓ Defend dissertation, then you are Doctor if everything works out!
The perks The math graduate school application process * An advanced degree is a great resum´ e booster while you’re Garrett avoiding the current bad job market. What is * You can get paid to go to school and have living expenses graduate school like? covered (fellowships and teaching assistantships). Getting in * You will learn some REALLY interesting stuff and your When you’re admitted homework will be more fulfilling to do. The NSF Graduate * You will learn how to do research and teach. Research Fellowship * You will learn how to read and write (difficult) Additional mathematics well. resources
Financing graduate school The math graduate school application process * Masters degrees: not typically funded, but at some places Garrett teaching assistantships can pay for your school and cover living expenses. What is graduate school like? * Ph.D.’s: almost always funded. Tuition is covered with Getting in teaching assistantship or fellowship, plus a stipend ranging When you’re from $10,000 to $30,000 per year. Typically, unfunded admitted programs aren’t worth the trouble. The NSF Graduate * typically need a 3.0 cumulative GPA as a grad student to Research Fellowship keep funding and stay in a program Additional resources * unfunded cost: about $15,000 annually for just tuition.
What do I need to do to prepare? The math graduate school * Coursework: Take all the important Pure Math coursework application process like Linear Algebra, Set Theory, Topology, Abstract Garrett Algebra, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis - it will expedite What is the process of obtaining your graduate degree (even as a graduate school like? Masters student) and make you more competitive. If you Getting in want to go into a competitive, high-ranked Ph.D. program When you’re or be selected for competitive fellowships, take more admitted difficult courses, especially graduate courses. The NSF Graduate Research * GRE General Exam and GRE Subject Test (for more Fellowship competitive programs) Additional resources * research experience (recommended): senior thesis project or Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs)
GRE Exams The math * Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), graduate school the same soulless company that made you suffer through application process the SAT and AP tests in high school Garrett * register online at ets.org/gre What is * can select 4 score recipients for free when/before taking graduate school like? the test, but additional score reports or score reports after Getting in the test date cost $25 each. When you’re * The General GRE Exam: admitted - usually computer-based, costs $175 per exam, offered The NSF Graduate regularly all over the place closeby Research Fellowship - content: 2 short essays, verbal section like the SAT in high Additional school but with tougher vocabulary, quantitative section resources (math up to Algebra 1 in high school) - arguably the least important factor in the graduate school application process - little reason not to take early
GRE Exams (ctd.) The math graduate * The Subject Exam: school application process - costs $150 per exam, paper-based, offered 3 times annually in mid April, mid October, and mid November Garrett - very difficult: 66 questions in 2 hours and 50 minutes, What is covers nearly the entire undergraduate math major graduate school like? curriculum (emphasis on first two years of calculus). Give Getting in yourself a few months to study. When you’re - not required for most Masters programs and less admitted competitive Ph.D. programs. Required for nearly all of the The NSF top 50 Ph.D. programs - high scores ( > 80th percentile) Graduate Research almost necessary for serious consideration for most top 20 Fellowship schools. Additional resources - “a counterweight to grade inflation” - can help for competitiveness in getting fellowships, regardless of program rank
The application “package” The math graduate Graduate programs look at: school application * coursework process Garrett * grades What is * awards and honors graduate school like? * GRE General Exam and GRE Subject Test scores (must Getting in send official scores mailed by ETS, $25 each) When you’re admitted * research experience and publications The NSF * letters of recommendation Graduate Research Fellowship * essays: Statement of Purpose and (in some cases) Additional Personal Statements resources * Curriculum Vitae / Resum´ e * transcripts (make sure they’re sent on time!)
Getting good recommendations The math graduate school application process * Take difficult coursework and do well in it, ideally with Garrett your recommender What is * Do independent reading/research and work hard in it, graduate school like? ideally with your recommender Getting in * Engage with your professors: ask questions in class (study, When you’re though, so you’re not asking stupid questions!), go to admitted office hours, be energetic and enthusiastic The NSF Graduate Research * Give your recommenders a CV (discuss things that don’t Fellowship naturally fit on a CV too!) and course list with grades to Additional resources help them decide what to write about
Getting good recommendations (ctd.) The math graduate school application process * Try to learn a bit about what your professors do and talk Garrett to them about it (take this seriously; your interest What is shouldn’t be superficial); this can be a good way to find a graduate school like? mentor to get you started on research and help you learn Getting in more difficult material ahead, but don’t be too When you’re disappointed if you’re turned down - professors are busy! admitted The NSF * Attend and present in graduate seminars (if appropriate). Graduate Research * Consider the placement of other people who got Fellowship recommendations from the possible recommender. Additional resources
Getting good recommendations (ctd.) The math graduate school application process * Know where your recommenders’ friends and coauthors Garrett are; you may have better chances there. What is * Make sure when you ask for your recommendations that graduate school like? they are strong and enthusiastically endorse you. Getting in * Pick professors you’ve taken difficult courses with or done When you’re research or independent reading with (professors for lower admitted The NSF division classes not generally recommended). Graduate Research * Choose regular faculty rather than VAPs or lecturers, as Fellowship they’re better established and their opinion tends to have Additional resources more clout.
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