hejduk

How long did you give yourself to study?

Kaplans, Barrons, ETS, Princeton Review, etc.... We know all the "names" of the business, but which would you recommend for someone basically "starting out" again in math? I haven't had comprehensive math or a review in years, and am needing basic review. I have allotted 2 months for review, with 6-7 hours a day for study. Two months might not seem like a long time, but I have nothing else going on this summer and can give total attention to studying. So, what book have you found useful? What are the major things that should be remembered?

I think you made the right choice: teaching adds an element to your CV that nothing else can (just like research, etc). Ultimately, you're going to teach with your PhD (most likely), and schools LOVE to see that you take your future employment endeavors seriously, and that you can also "ease into" a TA position easily. Frankly, I'm quite jealous of your GRE scores! Keep your head and keep going with your plans. I think your on the right track! One last thought: have you thought about doing campus visits before application deadlines? Not a typo! I know most people do them after they are accepted, but if you go before the app deadline, you put a face to your name. Give yourself any opportunity to become more than just a name on a piece of paper. My GRE scores are low, and I'm using everything I can to get a leg up. I will be attending AEJMC just to talk to some profs from my desired schools, and I will be visiting 4-5 this fall before I even apply. While it's expensive and time consuming, it really will help you out!

I'm a mass comm guy, but thought I possibly wanted to go the educational policy PhD route. I took six hours @ UK, and applied to the program, but didn't get in. I know specifically for UK, they are probably looking at around 1000 total for GRE, but the BIG thing is your personal statement. The grad dean wants to see WHY you're applying, and HOW you fit into UK's program.