Math Phd Programs

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I'm in the process of applying to some phd programs in mathematics and wanted to see if you think that I'm aiming for the right level:</p>

<p>Major: Mathematics
GRE General: 720 Verbal (98 percentile), 790 Math (92), 6.0 Writing (99)
GRE subject: waiting, took the test in Nov.
GPA: 3.91 (3.88 in major), expected summa cum laude, expected departmental honors
Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Mu Epsilon membership</p>

<p>Worked on research with 2 professors at my college, both of whom are writing letters of rec
Also a letter of rec coming from the chair of the department with whom I've taken several courses.
Participated in an REU in summer 2008, with paper pending publication</p>

<p>Heavy course load in mathematics. Upper level classes including Fourier Analysis, Galois Theory, Group Theory, Algebraic Topology, Combinatorial Group Theory, Advanced Calculus, Algebraic Number Theory</p>

<p>Active member in a number of different organizations on campus</p>

<p>The Schools:
Rutgers New Brunswick
University of Maryland
UVA
Boston University
Northeastern
University of Illinois: Urbana-Champlain
University of Illinois: Chicago Circle
Penn State
UMass Amherst
CUNY</p>

<p>If anyone can help suggest schools that are good for Algebra or number theory, that would be great (also if I should cut any of the schools above for one reason or another)</p>

2

<p>How reputable is your undergrad institution? If you score above 90% in the subject test, I would add Berkeley on your list. They are strong in number theory and they also put quite a lot of emphasis on the subject test.</p>

<p>I had pretty similar grades than you from the top university in my country, though a perfect GPA in math with quite similar courses, but a significantly lower verbal score than you (I am an international though). I got around 95% in the subject test (I don’t remember the exact score). I got into 5 schools in the top 20, so if I were you I might aim a bit higher.</p>

<p>From your list I was accepted to both UIUC and Penn State and I withdrew my application quite early from Maryland. I didn’t apply to any of the other schools as Maryland and Penn State were actually the lowest ranked schools I applied to.</p>

<p>I would add at least Berkeley and Brown to your list. Berkeley is probably a long shot, unless you score a high 90% on the subject test, but Brown should be possible and it should have some faculty of interest for you.</p>