math_hopeful

I'm a little worried about my third letter... and I supposed the other two as well. They would be from two professors who said they'd write good ones, but it's not going to be about any amazing research experience/ being top of the class/ etc. They both said given my academic track record from last year, I impressed them with how I did in their classes. Both of them also said they were extremely impressed with how hard-working and determined I am so they'd be writing about that. One of them really wants me to look into phd programs instead, but I'm being realistic--it's obviously not something that's going to happen right now. For the third letter, I don't have a professor in mind, but there is a grad student at my school that knows me extremely well, who would be able to write an excellent letter. I did an independent study with her this past spring (with the end result being a project I presented in front of a small group of other undergrads and grad students), she's been my TA for previous classes (two of them) and also the primary instructor/professor for another. Plus she helped tutor me a little while I was taking Real Analysis. I know it's obviously better if I could get a letter from a professor, but would an excellent letter from her be better than an "OK" one from a professor?

Believe it or not... top 50-100 is actually a nice surprise to hear. I actually thought I didn't really have a chance at anything besides unranked/unheard of schools in the middle of nowhere... if that. Lol no worries, I have no delusions of getting into an amazing school or a phd program right now. The goal is to keep improving and finish my undergrad stronger than this last year went, and worlds away from my first year... Then get my masters somewhere (and not screw up from the beginning this time) and then see how I like graduate math and if I want to go further with it. Would you recommend not applying this year, but instead finishing up this school year with good grades and apply for Fall 2014? That way they'll have two years of better grades to look at? Also, what classes would you recommend I fill my schedule up with this year? Besides the three I listed, I have room for 6-8 more classes. Thanks again for your reply! I really appreciate it!

What do you mean by "doubtful"? So I can't make it in anywhere? :/ And yeah... I am planning on applying to applied math programs.

A little background: I'm a community college transfer student. I attended a CC for 3 years and then transferred to a 4 year school. I switched my major to math the semester before transferring, so all my major classes besides Calc I were taken at the 4-year university... which I had a hard time adjusting to during my first year, and my grades show it. I am starting my last year of undergrad this Fall and will be graduating June 2013. I am hoping to apply for admission for Fall 2013 to applied math (really interested in operations research) masters programs (PhD is the ultimate goal, but I'm being realistic given my transcript)... what schools should I be aiming for? I'm not even sure where to begin looking. GPA: California community college (transferrable classes): 3.41 4-year university: 2.58 (top 40 school, giant public) Current major GPA: 2.72 GRE: taking it in September 2010-2011: Calc I: B Calc II: C Calc III: C Linear Algebra: C Statistical Methods: C- Applied Linear Algebra: C- Intro to Proofs: C- 2011-2012: Intro to Analysis I (A-) Intro to Analysis II (B-) Intro to Probability ( B ) Intro to Mathematical Stats (B-) Numerical Optimization I (A-) Numerical Optimization II (A) Discrete Math & Graph Theory (A) 2011-2012 GPA: 3.35 Currently taking (summer): Intro to Diff. Eqns Vector Calculus Enrolled/ planned for next year: Numerical Linear Algebra Stochastic Processes I Stochastic Processes II Other information: Asian female, first generation college student. No publications or research experience. Letters of recc: I know I can get one great one and one good one... the last one will probably just be OK... Any advice on improving my chances? Besides obviously doing as well as possible this coming year and keep the upward trend going. How do I address the first year of math classes? What schools should I realistically be looking at? Also, I'm very close to finishing my major requirements (which is why I only have 3 math classes planned for next year). Any classes I should definitely take? My schedule will be pretty open and would love advice on what to add! Any and all comments, opinions, advice, etc. is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!