Wait another year and really "fit the mold" or go for it?

Graduate School
1

I’m a math and CS major at a big state school. I want to apply for a math PhD program as since High School I have had a dream of becoming a full time professor in Mathematics.

I really feel I have the skill set for it, especially inventing my own mathematics and researching it, but I’m stuck on one small issue which had been a big deal earlier in my life, above average but not stellar grades.

I am graduating from my University as a sophomore with a dual major in Mathematics and Computer Science and a masters in Computer Science (potentially a Masters in Mathematics but I may end up exactly one course short).

I began conducting my own research, and keeping an online repository Of works that some of my professor have featured on their pages, so I would think from all perspectives I’m pretty good to go. But I have a bit of a worry. My GPA is lacking at around a 3.73 and I’m not yet published in a very well reputed journal, nor well known for making deep contributions to my field (which is a much fairer and controllable way to get in than grades)

So it probably seems like overkill and this should be just apply and see what happens, but two years back as a senior in High School I was in a similar boat, finished a lot of courses (calc BC freshman year, school president, cross country, etc…) but was running a lowish GPA (91.35%) my school didn’t do out of 4.0 to help differentiate kids better, and I never took any math at school since I ran out if classes as a freshman so those never boosted my grades. I decided junior year to take a risk and really pursue my own mathematical research aggressively, in several areas , and though I networked and got the attention of many professors whom I continue to work with today, my actual college admissions suffered, my guidance counselor is convinced it was the GPA that was the issue. I got rejected from every single of 14 schools I applied to except my one state school backup.

I just don’t want to repeat that again. I could stick around til I’m 21 and turn the 3.7 to say a 3.8 but given I’m already going to be done with my masters, I feel if not doing thesis level research and taking more advanced courses I’d be wasting my time but I just don’t want to shoot myself in the foot like what happened in high school, especially given I was solid in all other fronts.

I also don’t want to be a “oh didn’t you apply last year and get rejected” type of student. So getting it right the first time whether that is now or next year matters.

The advantage to applying this year is the “wow” factor of my age, but next year I get the benefit of a stronger GPA.

What do some of more experienced applicants think is the best course of action

2

Perhaps the most important things in a Ph.D. application are your letters of reference and research experience. Your GPA is strong enough to have them give you a look and if your GRE scores are good too then your application will probably make it into the second round at a number of programs. Given the fact that you have been at your university of only 2 years, do you have the kind of outstanding letter of recommendation that can get you into the schools you want? This is where you need to ask your research mentors at the university. They can tell you where you should be applying and this will give you a sense of whether they will write you a strong letter. If it takes an extra year to make those letters really strong (maybe you can do a published Masters thesis in that time) then you should stay. Otherwise, go for it right away.

3

A 3.73 GPA is not “lacking.” College is different from high school; the highest you can get is a 4.0 and a 3.73 is a very good GPA. You also don’t have to be published in order to get into a PhD program - it’s like the cherry on top, but not required for admission. Nobody is expecting a sophomore in college to make “deep contributions” to the field of mathematics.

Your age isn’t a really a “wow” factor, by the way; nobody will care that you are young and applying. All they care about are your accomplishments and potential. If you can clearly articulate why you want a PhD in math and give evidence of your potential to succeed, then you’ll be competitive. But I agree with @xraymancs that time is important to develop relationships and get a letter of recommendation for graduate school, so if you stayed longer it would be for that and also to get some more scholarship in math if possible.