<p>My top choice is UM for a PhD in Math and i wanted to get input on my chances.</p>
<p>B.S. in Mathematics from FIU, 3.3 GPA</p>
<p>M.S in Mathematical Sciences from FIU, 3.8 GPA</p>
<p>As an undergrad i took the putnam and scored 20 points, if this matters.</p>
<p>GRE: 800 quant, 400 verbal.</p>
<p>As i said UM is my top choice. If anyone doesnt mind, could you also add some schools which could be considered my safeties?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Uhhh. Do you know what field in mathematics you’re interested in?</p>
<p>Algebra and Algebraic Geometry. Why the “Uhhh”?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>My apologies. That came off as a bit crass–trying to list alternatives/safeties is highly dependent on whether there’s faculty doing the research you’re interested in first and foremost; I wouldn’t recommend a school focusing on cryptography and discrete mathematics for someone interested in number theory, for example.</p>
<p>I don’t know Algebra and Geometry enough to make suggestions.</p>
<p>Thanks. Im not a 100% sure on what field i want to go into. I was kind of saying my “most likely” areas but definitely not written in stone. I was hoping that after the first 2 years and passing the qualifiers that by then i would make up my mind. But i also understand the risk of being stuck in a department that doesnt do what you want to do.</p>
<p>Im coming from a no-name school, unranked (4th tier?) and i have to be realistic, hence why im looking for safeties as well as an opinion on my chances at UM.</p>
<p>Im applying to the schools in florida which have a phd program: UM, USF, UCF, FSU, FAU. But i have no ideas on how to grow that list, specifically with safeties as i dont want to die of a heart attack while waiting for responses. I havent taken the GRE math subject and since none of the schools i listed above require it (optional), i was thinking of not taking it. I wonder how wise that is?</p>
<p>Have you considered taking the Math Subject GRE? That would let you apply to a wider range of programs, and would also give you an opportunity to prove your skills for more selective programs.</p>
<p>
Oops, sorry, didn’t read that before I posted. If you think you could score well on the math subject GRE with some preparation, taking it would be money and effort well spent. </p>
<p>
Talk to your professors. They can tell you which PhD programs students at your university have attended in the past. They can also tell you which programs you might be a strong candidate for and recommend programs that might fit your interests and preferences. Graduate math programs rely heavily on letters of recommendation to make admission decisions, so your professors are in a much better position to give you advice than any of us. </p>
<p>
That verbal score could really hurt you. Math programs generally don’t care much about verbal scores, but 400 is low enough that it might raise a red flag.</p>
<p>I spoke witn a friend of mine who is currently at a top 30 phd program and he told me the 400 verbal was fine for phd in math and that they dont even look at it. But i can see your point on it raising flags.</p>
<p>I checked the registration for the GRE math subject test and nothing is available for the november test date where i am. Id have to drive around 6 hours to get to the closest one.</p>
<p>So i guess i will not take it. Anyways, like i said, the programs am applying for domt require them. Do they still expect for you to take it even though they dont require it? </p>
<p>UM is ranked 98th by USnews in the math phd so i guess that says they cant be too picky? Other such as FAU is not even ranked. For some they wouldnt even apply there but like i said i have to be realistic, im coming from no name school and i will honestly be happy if i get accepted at any phd program as long as it is not in the boonies, hence why i want UM for the city and i have lived most of my life here.</p>
<p>How do i search for phd programs that dont require gre math subject? I guess a subject of those will be safety list.</p>
<p>Also, how important is my putnam score? I was told if im applying to a top phd program, a score of 20 is irrelevant since everyone at that level has gotten more than that, BUT if im applying to lesser names schools, like i am, it suddenly becomes a selling point?</p>