Hello Everyone,
Long time lurker, first time poster etc.
I just graduated last month with a math degree and I'm interested in applying to graduate programmes starting fall 2016. I'll be applying to both mathematics and philosophy programmes. I'm interested in applying to schools in Canada, Europe, and the United States.
I'm looking for advice on the application procedure, what programmes are a good fit for me, and what schools are in my range.
School: I did my undergrad at a small Canadian university with no reputation to speak of.
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Philosophy & Physics
GPA by Year: (We don't have a 4 point scale here, this is what I figured using online GPA calculators and whatnot)
1: 2.90 (rough transition from high school)
2: 3.60
3: 3.96
4: 3.41 (medical issues this year. spent over a week straight in the hospital, constantly had to go back for bloodwork/ various appointments, surgery. Not a huge deal but it definitely affected my grades. I'm fine now.)
5: 4.0
Background:
I haven't taken a ton of philosophy courses...
Intro ( C)
Ancient Greek (A)
Logic (A)
Early Modern (A-)
Aesthetics (A)
Philosophy of Religion ( B )
Freud and Continental Thought (A-)
Post-Structuralism (A)
Philosophy After the Holocaust (A)
I went to a really small school, so a lot of these classes only had 5 or 6 people in them - I think this will help my application. In a few of these classes I had to go through an oral examination. I got to know my profs really well.
Letters of Recommendation:
1) Math Prof
Wrote my undergraduate thesis with them, which went very well. Worked with them during the summer on a topology project- not original research, more like a reading course. Took two other classes with them, got the highest mark in the class each time.
2) Physics Prof
Only took one class with them and got a B, still the highest in the class. I'm currently working with him on a research project, hopefully we get something publishable this summer.
3) Philosophy Prof
Took four classes with them (3 As, 1 A-). They are a big fan of my writing, has encouraged my to apply directly to PhD programmes.
Because of small classes, I got to know all of my letter writers very well. I know they will have a lot of good things to say.
Writing Sample: I have an essay on Heidegger that I'm going to use.
Areas in Intrest:
I'm broadly interested in the philosophy and history of science ( Kuhn, Feyerabend ) and continental thought (Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida)
I'm a bit unsure of whether or not I want to apply to schools in the U.S. because of the GRE and it would be more expensive - I'm still interested.
So far I've looked into:
University of Toronto (IHPST)
University of Alberta
Because I didn't major in philosophy I'm interested more in an M.A.. I haven't been exposed to a ton of philosophy, my research interests could change dramatically after I take a few graduate classes.
Any program recommendations, ways to improve my application, things to mention in SOP would all be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much