<p>I'm applying for graduate school in math, and awaiting results/finishing applications before deadlines, and will be in a constant state of suspense until (if??) I get accepted somewhere. Anyways, if someone can give me there take on my situation, I'd appreciate it: my GPA basically sucks: 3.14, and I've completed very few math courses. I'm not even going to graduate with a math degree - just a general B.S. Further, there's a downward trend in my GPA. My explanation is that I'm unable to handle introductory level courses in abstract topics - I would probably have failed calculus 101 if I'd taken it. Anything requiring a significant amount of memorization of symbols I just cannot do. But I'm very strong in the advanced math courses. Unfortunately none of those grades will be out until April, well past the application deadlines. </p>
<p>So, all the schools have to go on is my word that I'm good (as every applicant would claim), and my recommendation writers. I'm really counting on the latter, as I see it as my only hope. My recommendations will be very good - one is the chair of the math department who I did research with and correspond with regularly, the other has been my professor from the time I knew no math at all to now where I'm (hate to sound arrogant) stronger (in analysis anyways) than any undergrad or grad student at my school (he took my under his wing and taught me some classes where I was the only student and we did analysis exhaustively). Given all this, how much of a difference can letter writers make for a guy like me? I really do not have a good grasp on how university admissions work - it seems so bureaucratic and impersonal that I don't know if my letters will even be read. If anyone could shed some light on this, it would make me a little less anxious. :)</p>
<p>Mr.Zoo, I’m applying to 7 total. That’s not that many, but I really cannot afford two or three thousand dollars it would take for 20 or 30 apps. I’ve just tried to be selective, and have chosen schools my referees suggested which had analysts they know and know are good/good to work with.</p>
<p>If your letters are strong enough, you can get in anywhere. I’ve heard a story of a student being rejected from CMU, and then admitted after a phone call from his advisor/letter-writer. But, of course, you have to be an amazing student for this to happen.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s my overall GPA. My math GPA is higher but it’s only based on 3 classes: linear algebra (A-), complex variables (B+), and analysis I (B+). All the rest are in progress right now. (That is part of my problem.)</p>
<p>alpaca, it varies from professor to professor whether they like to be contacted out of the blue. I’ve heard many say they don’t like to be contacted by potential students who haven’t even been admitted yet and that it won’t really affect your admissions chances, but then I’ve heard others say it’s good to get started early. Regardless, if you do contact a professor, make your message short and succint and straightforward and customized to them. Don’t send out a blanket email to 10 different professors.</p>