<p>Ok, so I am a big dreamer like a lot of people. This is my profile - call me crazy if you want if that may be the case. I go to school at the University of North Carolina - CHARLOTTE, and it's not a very competitive school. We have a MS program in Mathematical Finance here, but my dream is to go to NYU for the MS in Mathematics for Finance.</p>
<p>-Male, white, 23 years old.
-Major: Mathematics for Business
-Anticipated GPA upon graduation: 3.3
-Anticipated GRE scores: around 700 for quantitative, around 500 for verbal
-Have professors who can give me favorable recommendations, but not from tough classes</p>
<p>-I have a fairly rigorous background of classes including two semesters of chemistry with labs, biology, calculus 1-4 (no i don't mean DiffEQ by calc 4), linear algebra, microeconomics, macroeconomics, two semesters of accounting courses, intro to financial management, principles of Investments, math theory of interest, calc based prob and stats part 1 and 2 as well as statistics for business, c++ computer programming.
-my GPA in those classes together is somewhere around a 3.5</p>
<p>So do I have any chance at all at making it into this program or am I completely crazy for thinking about it? thanks for any advice.</p>
<p>I assume you’ve perused the website? [New</a> York University Courant Institute of Mathematics](<a href=“Home - NYU Courant”>Home - NYU Courant)</p>
<p>A lot will obviously depend on what the department specifically wants, but if they only have 30 students, and it is Courant, which is one of if not the best mathematical institutes in the country, I am inclined to say that your chances are pretty low. Your GPA isn’t particularly impressive, and though your GRE QR score is high, apparently it’s only in the 72nd-75th percentile. Your course work seems to be exactly what the program is looking for, but I think it might be a reach.</p>
<p>You should definitely apply, though, if you really want to do the program. You never know how things might turn out.</p>
<p>Definitely apply anyways. I came from East Carolina University (which is definitely known for not being the most competitive, lol)…and I’m going to NYU for grad school this fall. It all depends on your application, and if you are a good fit for your specific program. </p>
<p>GPA, GRE, References, all that matters…but you gotta make sure your career goals align with the program in which you are applying. That is the key. </p>
<p>Of course, I’m going to NYU Steinhardt so people say Courant > Steinhardt…meaning it’ll be harder to get into. But NYU is NYU…lol. Its not an easy school to get into, period. But if you have a strong application (especially personal statement), you never know what might happen. Don’t worry about the caliber of your undergrad school now, there’s nothing you can do about that at this point, lol. Just highlight your best qualities, and how your program will help you achieve your career goals…and you’ll be fine. </p>
<p>Good luck. </p>
<p>P.S…there is another forum online dedicated to grad students, you may want to register there as well. May be some others applying for your specific program, that could give you more detailed advice: forum.thegradcafe.com/</p>