Riem

What was the exact message she gave you? If it was something that terse, I'd imagine it to be auto-reply.

With your background, you've only completed lower-level math work and you've barely scratched the surface at higher-level undergrad work. Considering that your work wouldn't even be considered a minor, you'll need more math.

It's impossible to determine anything if you don't list what your background in math actually is (i.e. courses). On a first glance though, your stated research interest implies that you've taken the bar minimum.. Combining this with your GPA and no redeeming qualities in math, I would say at this moment that you'd probably have to take at least a few more math courses before you could get into a math grad school. But I don't know what your background actually is so I may be incorrect.

But the problem with this logic is that comparing two people is NEVER the same. The fact is that one person's PhD thesis, research, talks, etc. is always differnt from another's so holding such a hypothetical is illogical. Obviously, if you really do hold all things static, then a higher GPA would be better to an extent. After a lot of reading, it seems that GPA acts more as a "check-mark", where it's only necessary for certain fundings or to make sure that you didn't completely throw away your coursework. Depending on the field, as long as you don't get below X, then I'm sure it hardly makes a difference. But you should never neglect your courses for the minimal grades. You take courses to help your research/interests, and if you just barely get through your classes, what's the point of even taking the classes?

Why not both for their natural purposes? Backpack when you need to carry a lot of materials (>1 textbook, >2 folders, etc.). Messenger bag when you need to carry a few materials (1 text, notebook, laptop, etc.). But I prefer messenger bags mostly since I don't carry a lot. That and because I've worn the same backpack grades K-12 (and still do). A messenger bag just feels a bit more mature to me. Maybe it's just because I use a Jansport backpack that's typical for middle or high schoolers.

Guess you've never tried reading a high quality text file on a 1900x1200 screen, two pages side-to-side with scroll. It makes reading pretty enjoyable and I can still annotate using a software. But the main perk? ctrl-f!

This is very interesting! I consult a lot of professors via e-mail and many end up signing with only their first name. In an exchange of responses, I would still use "Prof. [ ],"rather than "Rob," or "Ken,". It makes me wonder if the professors really want me to address them so informally. Even with my advisor and professors I frequently talk to during office hours or seminars, I address them as "Professor". At what point should a person really switch to such an informality? It's not like one could really ask about such things to the person.

I've never even heard of that before. I'd imagine what sticks out more is doing well in grad courses related to your intended field.